Backing up files from PC to a DVD disk

JD69

Hi, I am trying to backup some files and folders from the C drive of a PC.
I have some disks DVD-R and DVD+R.
When I try to send them to or copy to the disc drive I get a message Cannot write to the CD Drive.
It is an old PC with windows XP running.
Could it be the drive cannot write to DVDs at all and only CDs?
If so how can I find that out on the PC?
On the front panel it says DVD, R/RW, R DL next to it RW DVD+ R DL, compact disc rewritable.
Do I need to download some free DVD burning software (such as cheetah) to write to the DVDs or is it just impossible and I need to buy some CDs or better a memory stick?
Thanks,
Jason.

closed

XP doesn't support writing to dvd's natively, either use the writing software that came with the drive/machine or something like imgburn

JD69

thanks, I cant find any software on the PC already to write to a DVD.
Also is imgburn just to burn a whole disc?
I wanted a data backup disc that I could add folders, files to every few days as I do work.
thanks,
JD.

closed

Although DVD-R's can hold multiple sessions, an external hard disk might be a better (if more expensive) option for that sort of use. You could also create a disk image of the whole hard disk if you had one, then you can recover everything should the internal hard disk fail, fail to boot, get infected

stilltheone

(Click on>)InCD plus DVD-RW equals happiness. Look out for Toolbars whilst installing.

InCD

InCD, the packet writing application, allows you to format CDs/DVDs/BDs so that they can be used as diskettes. You can copy files onto the disc using drag and drop in Windows Explorer or save them to the disc from other applications.

InCD can also be used to read discs that are created using SecurDisc technology developed by Nero and HLDS. SecureDisc includes special protection properties, such as data integrity, rebuilding, encryption and duplication protection.

System Requirements:
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista, or Windows® 7
CD/DVD/BD optical recorder that supports write-once and rewritable discs (MMC compliant, multiread RW recorders, recorders supporting MRW (Mt Rainier))
CD-R, CD-RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD-RAM, BD-R, BD-RE
Uninstall any other packet-writing software, and all prior versions of InCD before installing the current InCD version

bluesnake

as mentioned, a usb hard drive is best for the above.

the problem is that with dvd's, when updating, the old software segments can not be unerased and returned to the unused space pool. dvd-ram overcame this problem, but at about £2 or more per disk and not all writers are able to write to ram disks.

Also if a single file of your data is bigger than 4.3G, you will have to get a more creative solution.

at less than £50 for a 2TB drive, hard disk per MB are virtually the same price as dvd's
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hitachi-coolspin-3-5-sata-hard-drive-2tb-49-99-dixons-3-topcashback/932050
or at £6 more http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/samsung-f4-ecogreen-2tb-32mb-5400rpm-3-5-inch-sata-ii-internal-hard-drive-3-year/931208

here are some free backup progs too
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

Dave_C_2

Unfortunately imgburn does not (as far as I can tell) allow multi-session discs.

I've not tried multi-session yet but infrarecorder does offer multi-session.

As with all backups, the ideal is more than one method, so the obvious first choice is to get DVD backups working as you already have the optical drive and the discs.

Just tried Infrarecorder with a DVD-RW. Couldn't get multi-session to work at all. If I have better luck tomorrow (when I'm awake) I'll post back.

Tried again this morning can't get it to work at all. Normal DVD writing no problem, multi-session doesn't work. The DVD is OK as I tested it in Nero without problem.

Dave