Will MS Backup that came with Win98SE work with a CD-RW using DirectCD?

[Sukhoi]

I'm nearly 100% sure you can't burn straight onto blank CD's using the backup program that came with Win98SE. But will it work if I format the CD-RWs with DirectCD? Thanks

 

[Sukhoi]

^

 

[sciencewhiz]

Yes you can format the CD and burn backup to the formatted CD. You end up with only aboy 530mb of space.

 

[Sukhoi]

Yeah, I know about the 530 MB limit. Atleast it sounds like it will work. It'll take me a few more CD-RWs, but I won't have to use floppies. Thanks!

 

[sciencewhiz]

I was in a hurry with the last post. It will work as long as what you wan't to backup is less than 530mb. I haven't figured out how to get the backup program to span multiple cds.

You will probably need to break up your backup into several session, only backing up specific folders each time.

LMK if you have any problems.

 

[Sukhoi]

Oh dang, it won't span multiple CD-RWs? I assumed it would, since I'm pretty sure it will span multiple floppies. I might try having it span multiple CD's, and see if it works.

I did find another backup program called My Own Backup that's supposed to span multiple CD-RWs using DirectCD. I haven't tried it out yet though.

 

[IronMike]

I have been looking for over a year for something under $500. that will span CD's for backup. No luck. Please post if you find something.

 

[randypj]

Gize, gize, gize.....as I recall, the backup in Win98 is a lamed out version of Backup Exec 98 made by Veritas THAT WILL NOT SPAN. Backup Exec by Veritas will allow you to span cd-rw's and maybe cd-r's, as long as your hardware is supported. See their site for supported and tested hardware (burner, tape drive, etc.).

I have used Backup Exec 95 with a tape drive, and Backup Exec 98 with my burner. I presently use Plextor's CDResQ, which is a version of Ghost by Symantec (Norton). This does automatically span cd-rw's. I believe that newer versions of Drive Image by Powerquest and Ghost by Symantec also span images.

Nero Burning Rom also makes images. I believe it spans them, but I am not positive about this.

One hint.....before you make images, I suggest that you stop everything from running, except Explorer and systray. Especially, antivirus programs. I have found from experience, that restoring an image with Norton Antivirus running, can be.....problematic.

Also, your backup is only as good as your ability to restore it. So.....you might want to test a backup every now and then. Maybe restore it to a spare hard drive and see if it works.
--Randy

 

[Sukhoi]

Cool, thanks for the info.

IronMike, just try to find the webpage for My Own Backup. It claims that it will span CD-RWs. I don't have the link. Sorry

 

[IronMike]

I have older versions of both Nero and Drive Image that did not span CD's. After checking randypj's post I think that the new versions do. Also new versions of Backup Exec 98 are now available for $79. & indeed support many CD burners. My backup routine was always to image the hard drive at various points and to back up data to CDRW. Now that there are alternatives that are within my price range, I can backup and not loose all my software tweaking, preferences and the like.
THANKS.