Use packet writing

Packet writing software

Packet writing software can write only to CD-RW, DVD-RW or DVD+RW if the disks are formatted using the Universal Data Format (UDF) file system. The advantage of packet writing is that your rewritable media can be used like a floppy or zip disk (drag and drop from Windows Explorer is also possible).

Here are links to some packet writing software:

1. IBM DLA developed by IBM (free)
2. Drag-to-Disc (DirectCD) developed Roxio
3. InCD developed by Ahead

Set up packet writing

There are three simple steps to set up the packet writing:

1. Open "New Backup Wizard" or "Backup Job Properties" and go to the "Destination" page.
2. Select the drive letter for the CD/DVD burner device you want to use.
3. Advanced settings are available by clicking on the "Advanced" button. This will open the "CD/DVD Advanced Settings" window where you must select "Use UDF file system". Here you can also set the "Erase disk before writing" option. Press the OK button.
4. If packet writing is set, you will see the following message on the "Destination" page

   "[Device name] Writing method is UDF."

Use packet writing

Backup4all detects if the CD-RW, DVD-RW or DVD+RW is UDF formatted. If the disk is not UDF formatted it will show the following message:

"Disk in drive [drive letter] is not UDF formatted. Please insert an UDF formatted disk"

The backup catalog (.bkc file) is stored on the destination CD/DVD. When the backup process starts, Backup4all searches for the .bkc file in the destination. If the CD/DVD is empty or 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).

If the backup does not fit onto 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/DVD with this label.

One disadvantage of using packet writing is that CD/DVDs written with this method are recognized on other computers only if the same third party packet writing software is installed there too.

Other options

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

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

Warn before completely erasing a disk
If the erase 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 using CD and DVD as backup media:

• Do not use the same CD or DVD to store consecutive backup versions. Better use different CD, DVD media for each backup version (change the CD, DVD medium 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 backup.