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Backup For Dummies

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by casemaker

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Hi,
I am looking for a backup program that will back up to CD-RW media. I want this product to evaluate myself so I can recomend it to my customers. It must be very user friendly. If my Grandmother can't figure it out please don't suggest it. I must be able to download a demo version to try myself. AGAIN, PLEASE ONLY SUGGEST USER FRIENDLY SOFTWARE. I tried Veritas Backup Exec and had all sorts of formatting media errors, I also tried Retrospect Backup and was unable to get it to see the CD-RW.

8 replies

by maxwell edison

Backup To CD-RW 4.0 is an easy-to-use program for making backups to CD-RW, CD-R, hard disk, over a network, and many other devices.

Backup To CD-RW can back up and restore your entire system, including the registry, or selectively back up and restore any part of it.

A simple user interface lets you select which files and folders to back up, and save this "backup plan" so you can easily make the same backup again whenever you like. Backup plans are very flexible, and adapt automatically if you move or rename files or folders, add or remove them, etc. It will use as many discs as necessary to hold the backup, asking you to insert new discs as needed.

All versions of Backup To CD-RW are compatible with all versions of Windows, including 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP.

Backup To CD-RW 4.0 is a full featured program to do this, but is designed for computer users of all experience levels, including less experienced users.

See this link for further explanation, screen shots of the process, purchase information, and a free demo evaluation download version.

http://www.willowsoft.com/backup/

Maxwell

by casemaker

Thanks for your reply. Just downloaded it and it says my G;\ drive which is the burner is not ready. It is fine.

by maxwell edison

Backup To CD-RW 4.0 is an easy-to-use program for making backups to CD-RW, CD-R, hard disk, over a network, and many other devices.

Backup To CD-RW can back up and restore your entire system, including the registry, or selectively back up and restore any part of it.

A simple user interface lets you select which files and folders to back up, and save this "backup plan" so you can easily make the same backup again whenever you like. Backup plans are very flexible, and adapt automatically if you move or rename files or folders, add or remove them, etc. It will use as many discs as necessary to hold the backup, asking you to insert new discs as needed.

All versions of Backup To CD-RW are compatible with all versions of Windows, including 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP.

Backup To CD-RW 4.0 is a full featured program to do this, but is designed for computer users of all experience levels, including less experienced users.

See this link for further explanation, screen shots of the process, purchase information, and a free demo evaluation download version.

http://www.willowsoft.com/backup/

(REMOVE SPACES from the pasted URL)

Maxwell

by maxwell edison

(Continued from my previous answer)

Problems Making Backups:

Almost all problems making backups are traced to problems with the CD-RW drive, software installed with it, or the disc loaded in it, and not the backup program itself.

Therefore, the very first thing to try if you get an error that you don't understand is to use Windows Explorer to create a folder on the disc you are trying to backup to, and then copy a file into it. This will test if your CD-RW drive and disc are workingproperly. If you can't do this, then you won't be able to make a backup to your CD-RW drive either. Use the drive letter you would ordinarily use to read from the CD-RW drive. Do NOT use "CD mastering" software, such as Easy CD Creator or Nero Burning ROM. Windows XP has mastering software built into it, do not use it for this test. Use the drive letter you would ordinarily use to read from the CD-RW drive.

Tip: The backup program needs to be able to write to the CD-RW drive through a driveletter. This is made possible by software such as Adaptec Direct CD or Nero InCD. Software of this type is bundled with all CD-RW drives, but sometimes people don't know to install it or have somehow disabled it.

Tip: Sometimes people forget to format the CD-RW or CD-R disc before trying to use it. This can cause some really misleading error messages!

(continued in comments...)

by maxwell edison

Tip: If problems occur in the middle of writing a backup, particularly a multiple disc backup, particularly when ejecting a disc in the middle of a multiple disc backup, then you may have a conflict between your CD-RW drive and the low level software used to operate it (the "driver" or "packet writing software", NOT Backup To CD-RW). Many people have cured problems like this by upgrading other software related to their CD-RW drive, like Direct CD or InCD, or by tinkering with configuration options for such software - particularly the option to automatically open a pop up window when you push the "eject" button on the front of the CD-RW drive.

Technical Support:

If you experience a problem with Backup To CD-RW, send an email at backup@willowsoft.com.

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Just because you initialy get an error, don't assume the program won't work. It means that your system is not yet properly configured to make it work. Once the configuration issues are properly addressed, it works very well.

Maxwell

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