Backing up to multiple DVD's

by FL Guy Jan 3, 2005 10:05PM PST

I would like to back up a large number of files and directories to multiple DVDs.

The program descriptions for the backup SW I've seen so far don't explicitly state whether spanning multiple DVDs is supported (maybe this is assumed to be present)?

Any suggestions for a good backup/restore app that supports spanning multiple DVDs?

Of course, the key for backups is that restoring works well. Many users seem to be having trouble with restoring files from backups. For any apps that you suggest, can you tell me whether you have successfully performed single file and/or multi-file (directory and/or disk) recovery?

thanks!

Discussion is locked

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The clue is there.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 27, 2005 9:34AM PST

Try removing the case cover and cooling the drives with another fan.

Bob

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Try removing the case cover and cooling .......

by Theo Keesom Mar 28, 2005 1:36AM PST

Nice sugestion but older machine (3 drives) is more havely packed then newer machine (1 drive). Newer machine can write between 3 ? 6 dvd?s before giving verification errors and older machine is now at 45 dvd?s and still no verification errors.

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If you don't try, then we are done.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 28, 2005 1:47AM PST

The results of such a test can give direction. Some don't do such a test and then... we're done until someone comes up with another idea.

Since it's a new machine, you get to deal with it's maker and make this a warranty issue.

Best of luck finding it.

Bob

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I have had zero luck with backups directly to DVD

by docbillwho Jun 3, 2006 11:59AM PDT

I have tried both Nero BackItup and Norton Ghost. Neither backup successfully to DVD. Typically Norton Ghost will error out while writting the second or third disk. I suspect the problem with Norton is it writes the disks too slowly.

At first glance, Nero seems better. My first attempt had a write error on the 5th DVD. My second attempt manage to write all 6 DVD's, but the verification failed with a Compression error. I then tried on my wife's computer. Here four disk backup wrote without errors, but failed to verify because "files had changed". I don't understand how Norton is suppose to successfully backup the disk from within Windows. Norton's approach seems much safer.

I then tried Nero writting to image files on a second hard drive, but no matter what settings I used, all the image files were only 800MB. I wasn't really interested in a 36 disk backup so I aborted that. I then tried just doing a file system backup, but I could not figure out the correct way to take the resultant files and burn them to DVD in such a way that I could recover in the advent of a hard drive failure.

So finally I went to my old standby which is to write a ghost backup to hard drive, and then use nero to write those files to bootable DVD's. It works, but I was hopping to use Nero BackItup to bypass all those extra steps.

Bill

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Try "Second Copy" program

by adkmom Jan 15, 2005 12:31AM PST

I currently use it to backup My Doc's to a second hard disk in my main PC. I did a quick look through the maker's site & don't quite see your exact scenario but you can email them to ask. I have an idea it will do what you're asking-

support@centered.com

Tracy

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Backing up to multiple Dvd's

by SGTE Jan 15, 2005 7:23PM PST

I have used Backup+ from Avantrix for 3 years - I find it Ok. Recently theu released a version 7 which is specifically for backing up to Dvd's. I have bought this too.
My advice to you is not to backup to Dvd, but consider investing in multiple external hard disks - the reasoning being that you then do not have to swap disks in and out of the caddy. Moreover, by using xHDD's I can leave them to backup unattended - and because they are USB connections - and swap them in and out when I want to keep one off-site.

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Backing up to multple dvds

by brianperth Aug 23, 2005 8:44PM PDT

I've read the correspondence on the subject with interest. I'm ok with the software, such as Nero v6. For our application (nightly incremental and weekend full - 60Gb)we have been looking for a dvd jukebox that will work with backup software to save having to manually replace discs.

One supplier has suggested a iomega rev disk (35 - max 90Gb)We want one for each day so cost becomes quite high.

Commment from anyone with experience of using rev disc for backup would be appreciated, or suggested manufacturer of dvd jukebox that works in with either PC-based or linux-based backup software.

Thanks

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jukebox vs. multiple writers

by kirnack May 14, 2006 2:24PM PDT

Haven't used it yet, but understand EMC's Retrospect supports CASCADING drives, meaning that the softwar3 will write to a second (and third, etc.) drive of a similar type (ie DVD) with available media in it immediately after filling a prior drive with data. No need to be around to place media in the lone drive. (When s/w will allow data to be written over more than one media is called SPANNING. Cascading is more advanced and allows automated operation).

In supporting this, DVD jukeboxes are expensive. Has anyone built a DVD server with linked individual DVD writers? These should be buildable using any old (tower) PC using multiple IDE controllers as needed, and hooking it up to the network. Would it be any more complicated than this?

Backing up to multiple DVD's

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