Backup directly to CD-RW

You're doing it right.  MS Backup isn't sophisticated enough to backup directly to CD.  You have to do it in a 2 stage process.  I don't think backing up to a folder on the CD will work either.  MS Backup is a very simple utility.  Your best bet is to look for a dedicated backup program that will write directly to CD.  I use Backup MyPC but there are many others for file by file backups.

Dave

You really don't need a backup program.  All you need to backup is your user data (e.g. word processor files, pictures, etc), your e-mail program account and any folders, your Internet Explorer favorites, etc.  You have all the backup install CD's for the programs.  There's no need to use "X" number of CD's when one or maybe two CD's will backup everything you have.  Also, Windows XP has the "System Restore" feature that will restore you PC to an earlier time and correct or recover from many problems. 

Another issue, CD-RW media can be unstable, I personally do not use RW media as I've lost data/and or the CD-RW format several times with them.  The cost of a CD-R, if you are backing up your user data, is not really an issue.  CD-R's are cheap (if you buy them on-sale and in bulk many times you can get them for less than 10 cents each) and even if they cost 50 cents each it's cheap insurance to have your user data backed up in case of a failure.

Pedal,

Thanks to you, too.

You really don't need a backup program.  All you need to backup is your user data (e.g. word processor files, pictures, etc), your e-mail program account and any folders, your Internet Explorer favorites, etc.  You have all the backup install CD's for the programs.  There's no need to use "X" number of CD's when one or maybe two CD's will backup everything you have.  Also, Windows XP has the "System Restore" feature that will restore you PC to an earlier time and correct or recover from many problems. 

Of this I was aware. I have no intention of backing up systems stuff and the like. I am backing up and archiving more than 13 years of consulting business files transferred over from an old Mac platform. Plus, many of these files, even as old as they are, are required to be updated from time to time. I am putting together a backup and archive strategy that will utilize daily updates (possibly even in duplicate) to be maintained in the office, plus less frequent backups to be maintained in bank vault.

Another issue, CD-RW media can be unstable, I personally do not use RW media as I've lost data/and or the CD-RW format several times with them.

This is good information. In the beginning here I am experimenting with both CD-R and CD-RW to see which best serves my needs in various ways.

Rut

Dave,

Thanks for the info.

You're doing it right.  MS Backup isn't sophisticated enough to backup directly to CD.  You have to do it in a 2 stage process. 

The 2 different Dell gold tech support persons I talked to apparently didn't know this.

I don't think backing up to a folder on the CD will work either. 

I think maybe it does, because I think I did it. I think the software accepted the path to the folder, but I think had to "write" the backup to the CD in the process, which is more or less the same as making the backup on the desktop then moving it to the CD.

Your best bet is to look for a dedicated backup program that will write directly to CD.  I use Backup MyPC but there are many others for file by file backups.

I will look at this, too.

Rut

Dave,

Could you please give me some tips about incorporating compression into my backup strategy?

As is, my business files uncompressed require two CDs for regular backup. It would be handy to be able to put everything on one CD.

Should I compress everything before backing it up? Or should/can I compress the backup itself before moving it to the CD. I suspect that the various backup software packages that are available provide for compression in the backup process, so my questions will probably be answered in the process of using whatever new backup software I choose.

Help and Support on my box says that Microsoft Backup provides a compression option. I found the option on one of the tabs, but it was actually available for selection (the lesser color thing).

Thanks,

Rut

Dave,

Sorry, but I meant to say, "Help and Support on my box says that Microsoft Backup provides a compression option. I found the option on one of the tabs, but it was actually not available for selection (the lesser color thing)."

Rut

Howdy Fireberd, Ive been having multiple problems backing up folders to CD RW discs using XP internal CD RW 48 speed unit, it managed to corrupt the data on 2 new CD RW discs, so I threw my hands in the air and gave up after an all niter trying to back up my stuff.  Never even thought about the idea of trying a CD R, what a thought, I will do just that.  And yes, it certainly is a a cheap alternative to consider.  Thanks for the thoght! 

Rut, most backup programs are probably similiar, but Backup MyPC allows me to compress the files on the fly as they are written to CD.  And it automatically verifies the backup after it's written.

I also save space by only doing incremental backups.  The first time I backup it includes all the folders or files I specify.  After that it only backs up those that have been changed, or new ones.  The subsequent backups are appended to the first, and when the first CD is filled it continues on with a second one.  It makes for a nice simple way to back up my important data.

I also make a complete image backup of my HD to a second HD using Norton Ghost.  In the event of a major problem it would take me several days to reinstall XP, all my software and re-configure everything back to the way I wanted it.  It much easier to spend 15 minutes now and then to make the image of my HD.  It takes me about 5 min. to restore that image.  It would take me longer to just install XP from scratch, and downlad all the updates.

Dave

Dave,

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. The information you provided is very helpful.

Rut