Use built in CD burner and DVD burner

Set up internal CD burner and DVD burner

There are three simple steps to set up the internal CD or DVD burner:

1. Open "New Backup Wizard" or "Backup Job Properties" and go to the "Destination" page.
2. Select the drive letter for the CD or DVD burner device you want to use.
   
   If the CD or DVD device is compatible with the built in burner, you will see the following message:

   "[Device name] Using internal burner"

   If the CD or DVD device is not compatible with the built in burner, you will see another message:

   "[Device name] Does not appear to be a writer or it is busy"

3. Advanced settings are available by clicking on the "Advanced" button. This will open the "CD/DVD Advanced Settings" window where you can:
   • configure the burn speed
   • set the "Erase disk before writing" option
   • switch to packet writing (use UDF file system)

Use internal CD burner and DVD burner

The backup catalog (.bkc file) is stored on the destination CD or DVD and locally too (if the option "Use local catalogs" is set). When the backup process starts, Backup4all searches for the .bkc file locally (if this option was set) and in the destination (if it didn’t find it locally). If the CD or DVD is empty or if it does not contain the catalog file, Backup4all will start with a new full backup. If the catalog file is found, Backup4all will make a new version for the backup job. If you wish to write the new backup version on a separate CD (as recommended) then you should set the "Ask for a new disk before backup" option (see below).

Typically, a backup to CD or a backup to DVD performs additional steps shown in the status bar at the bottom of the Backup4all window application: erasing (when this option is set), burning, finalizing, loading CD. During "Loading CD", the CD or DVD is ejected and reloaded. After this step the backup is tested (if this option is set).

If the backup does not fit to one CD or DVD, Backup4all will automatically span the backup over multiple media. Each disc is assigned a different label for future identification. We recommend marking the CD or DVD with this label.
In the split process, Backup4all creates independant zip archives, meaning that even if you lose one CD/DVD, you will still be able to recover the rest of your data from the other ones.

Other options

The "Options" window contains other options related to the burn process.

Use primary burning engine
Selected by default. Backup4all uses an internal burning engine to write CD/DVDs. It has integrated two burning engines in case that one of them does not recognize your burner. If your CD/DVD burner is recognized and you have no problem at all backing up to CD/DVD then you don’t have to change this option.

Use secondary burning engine
If you have problems backing up to CD/DVD or your burner is not recognized when using the primary burning engine, select this option to make Backup4all switch to the secondary integrated burning engine. Also, if you are making mirror backups, it is recommended to choose this burning engine even if the burner is recognized when using primary burning engine.

Burn CD/DVD using internal ASPI
If checked Backup4all will use its own, built in ASPI layer to burn CDs or DVDs. If not checked, it will use the ASPI layer from the system32 folder of Windows (WNASPI.dll). If you experience problems writing to CD/DVD and these were not solved when switching from the primary burning engine to the secondary one, you should check this option. By default this option is checked and it’s available only when Use secondary burning engine is selected.

Eject CD or DVD after backup
You can leave the CD or DVD ejected after the backup is finished (and tested). To do so, open the "Options" window, go to the "Backup" page and set the "Eject CD/DVD after backup" option.

Ask for a new disk before backup
You can start with a new CD or DVD each time the backup is run. To do so, open the "Options" window, go to the "Backup" page and set "Ask for a new disk before backup" option.

Warn before completely erasing a disk
If the erase CD or DVD option is set, then each disk you insert is erased before the backup (or backup span) is burned. If you set this option, Backup4all will always ask you to confirm disk erasing. The option is located on the "Backup" page of the "Options" window.

Recommendations

Please consider our recommendations when you do a backup to CD or a backup to DVD:

• Do not use the same CD or DVD to store consecutive backup versions. Better use different CD media and DVD media for each backup version (change the CD, DVD at each backup run). Use a set of CD, DVD media and rotate them periodically (eg: take 7 CD media, one for each week day; start with the first CD again every 7 days). The reason for this is that in case the burn process fails, you still have the previous backup version on a different media.
• CD and DVD media can be burned only a limited number of times. When strange errors happen first check if the CD or DVD is not overburned (worn out).
• Always test the backed up data after burn. Backup4all has a special option to automatize the test after back-up.