How do I backup my entire system to a Cd or DVD?

Question

Is that possible? I want to make a CD or DVD which ever I can like a restore point where everything that i have downloaded can be recovered if I should catch a virus like i did before. I dont want to have to reboot and load all the windows xp updates and alll the applications again. If there is a way to do this, can someone please break it down to me in lame dummy terms..i dont know much about my computer, only what i want to do with it not how. If it helps I have acronis 10.0 and acronis disk director. Please someone help i dont wanna have to go thru that installing again.
thx

Answer 1

You might not be able to put everything on a DVD if you have lots of stuff (DVD max = 4GB) If you really want to back everything up, I'd suggest buying a 'My Book', it's an external hard drive that has some pretty good software that backs up your computer everyso often to the hard drive which you can just disconnect and leave somewhere for safe keeping until you need it. I have one, theyre very good and useful.

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/6-/Search.html?searchstring=my+book&searchtype=PCSH&searchsource=1

Answer 2

Your best best is an external hard drive with a USB or firewire connection. Follow the directions in Acronis to make an "image" of your hard drive. Otherwise just go with CDR's/DVDR's and do the swap n' shuffle. In the event of a system loss, you can restore the system right back to the date of the image.

Once you have an image that you are happy with, you need to make periodic backups of new data. The way I handle this is to put ALL of my data, downloads, photos, music, etc. in a single, well organized directory. I just back up the directory to CD's or DVD's using Nero, although I'd assume that Acronis would do so as well.

Answer 3

You can use acronis for this...but i've not used the program for a while, the option you need to look for will be called 'Disk Spanning' or an option to split images into 4.7Gb chunks.

But you probably won't be able to back up everything into a single DVD for the same reason you can't get a pint of beer into a hlaf-pint glass!!!

Answer 4

There is nothing easier than that. Launch True Image and pick a "backup" task. True Image will ask you about the location to backup to just select your burner and insert a DVD disk there. Another way is to choose create recovery media option in tools menu.

Answer 5

Depending upon the amount of space you will need, you may not be able to use a disk of any type since most are limited in capacity.

If your hard drive contains over 4 GB of files, you may have to get another hard drive ( internal or external).

Some hard drives, internal or external, are still formated in FAT32 and you should convert them to NTFS ( New Technology File System ) since FAT32 Drives are limited to 4 GB of files in one lump where NTFS Drives can load any amount in one gulp.

DOS has a program called Convert.Exe that you can use to convert FAT32 to NTFS. The process is simple.

Answer 6

There is no CD or DVD that I know of which would hold your entire system. I suggest you investigate an external hard drive. USBs are easy to use.

This is what I'm talking about. Watch Sunday sales for a good deal.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_pc/104-2804622-7549527?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=external+hard+drive

Answer 7

Yo, i've got completed this in the previous. by skill of in basic terms copying my instal discs and making use of the burnt ones and retaining the originals in storage. making use of Nero additionally I in basic terms burnt the discs. There are some stuff you're able to do to make a disk bootable yet i've got made bootable discs with out finding out on any concepts, in basic terms clicking replica disk. once you're short on DVD or cd blanks then in basic terms open nero and initiate up the Nero burning Rom, (uncertain which version you're making use of) opt for create a bootable cd then upload each and all of the records on the xp disc. Boot your computing device from the disc, then you definately'll comprehend once you're effective. BTW... in case you think of the bootable concepts are too confusing, provide the common 'replica' of undertaking.

Answer 8

Why not buy an external hard drive OR partition your present drive(if large enough) and store the files there? If you are bent on doing it to dvd then try using Nero 7 Back up.

Answer 9

for backing up your cd or dvd collection just get a portable external drive it's easier that way you can get them anywhere like best buy, circuit city

Answer 10

I have a great step-by-step instruction about backing up you entire PC with True Image. Here is the link: http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=1481299

Hope you'll enjoy it!