OT: Question about restore disks for Win7

Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.

It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
right disks and the right quantity before I begin.

It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
bj

On Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:54:54 -0500, chicagofan
<> wrote:

>Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
>backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
>of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>
>It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
>needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
>process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
>right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>
>It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
>and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
>question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
>bj

This site,
<http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/model/LX.WYZ02.004>, says the
following:

Optical Media Supported DVD-RAM/±R/±RW

Ignore the mention of DVD-RAM for this task, and you probably don't
want rewriteable media, so that leaves DVD-R or DVD+R. Either will
work equally well. There's no mention of DL (Dual Layer), so stick
with the standard 4.7GB media.

As for how many, that depends on how much data you're backing up and
is a simple math problem. Be sure to verify your backup after burning,
if offered the chance, and once it's all done it's not a bad idea to
boot from your backup to make sure you can.

--

Char Jackson

Char Jackson wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:54:54 -0500, chicagofan
> <> wrote:
>
>
>> Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
>> backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
>> of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>>
>> It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
>> needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
>> process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
>> right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>>
>> It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
>> and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
>> question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
>> bj
>>
> This site,
> <http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/model/LX.WYZ02.004>, says the
> following:
>
> Optical Media Supported DVD-RAM/±R/±RW
>
> Ignore the mention of DVD-RAM for this task, and you probably don't
> want rewriteable media, so that leaves DVD-R or DVD+R. Either will
> work equally well. There's no mention of DL (Dual Layer), so stick
> with the standard 4.7GB media.
>
> As for how many, that depends on how much data you're backing up and
> is a simple math problem. Be sure to verify your backup after burning,
> if offered the chance, and once it's all done it's not a bad idea to
> boot from your backup to make sure you can.
>

Thanks, Char! I know you're supposed to test them, but I never have
before... although I might this time. Win 7 has been quite a learning
experience for me, having been on XP for six years.
bj

On 10/02/2012 7:54 PM, chicagofan wrote:
> Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
> backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
> of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>
> It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
> needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
> process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
> right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>
> It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
> and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
> question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
> bj

I got a new Toshiba laptop recently too. It takes 5 DVD's of 4.7GB, or 3
DVD's of 8.5GB. The Toshiba imaging program told me ahead of time how
many disks would be needed in each case.

Yousuf Khan

Yousuf Khan wrote:
> On 10/02/2012 7:54 PM, chicagofan wrote:
>> Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
>> backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
>> of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>>
>> It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
>> needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
>> process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
>> right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>>
>> It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
>> and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
>> question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
>> bj
>
> I got a new Toshiba laptop recently too. It takes 5 DVD's of 4.7GB, or 3
> DVD's of 8.5GB. The Toshiba imaging program told me ahead of time how
> many disks would be needed in each case.
>
If you're given the choice, use single layer DVDs, and immediately make
a safety copy, which needs to be stored in a cool dark place. Or make
..iso files of each DVD, and store those files on a USB memory stick.
These can be used to burn new copies of the DVDs if ever you need them,
as all writable optical storage can suffer unexplained, random failures.

As, of course, can USB sticks, but you're increasing the safety factor.


--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On 2/10/2012 5:18 PM, chicagofan wrote:

>
> Thanks, Char! I know you're supposed to test them, but I never have
> before... although I might this time. Win 7 has been quite a learning
> experience for me, having been on XP for six years.
> bj
>
>
>


As far as W-7 goes this group can be a GREAT deal of help. You often
have to wade through a lot of "noise", as with any Usenet group but you
get great help fast. When I got my first W-7 was right after it hit.
This place was great for getting answers.

--
Things get better with age. I’m approaching magnificent!!

Yousuf Khan wrote:
> On 10/02/2012 7:54 PM, chicagofan wrote:
>
>> Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
>> backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
>> of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>>
>> It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
>> needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
>> process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
>> right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>>
>> It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
>> and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
>> question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
>> bj
>>
> I got a new Toshiba laptop recently too. It takes 5 DVD's of 4.7GB, or 3
> DVD's of 8.5GB. The Toshiba imaging program told me ahead of time how
> many disks would be needed in each case.
>
> Yousuf Khan
>

That's how I think it should be done. Shame on Gateway....

Thanks for the info... I was thinking 5 might be needed, but I'll buy
more now to be safe.
bj

On 11/02/2012 3:10 AM, John Williamson wrote:
> If you're given the choice, use single layer DVDs, and immediately make
> a safety copy, which needs to be stored in a cool dark place. Or make
> .iso files of each DVD, and store those files on a USB memory stick.
> These can be used to burn new copies of the DVDs if ever you need them,
> as all writable optical storage can suffer unexplained, random failures.
>
> As, of course, can USB sticks, but you're increasing the safety factor.

True enough.

Yousuf Khan

John Williamson wrote:
> Yousuf Khan wrote:
>
>> On 10/02/2012 7:54 PM, chicagofan wrote:
>>
>>> Have a new laptop with Win7, which keeps nagging me to create the
>>> backup/restore disks... yet I can't find anywhere it tells me what TYPE
>>> of DVDs to use, and an estimate of how many it will require.
>>>
>>> It tells me *during* the process it will tell me how many disks are
>>> needed... at the same time it is WARNING me NOT to interrupt this
>>> process. Yes, I'm a nervous Nellie, and would like to know I have the
>>> right disks and the right quantity before I begin.
>>>
>>> It's a Gateway NV57H57u, Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB hard drive
>>> and Pioneer CD/DVD drive. Can anyone advise on this seemingly simple
>>> question to me, that I can't find the answer to? TIA... for any replies.
>>> bj
>>>
>> I got a new Toshiba laptop recently too. It takes 5 DVD's of 4.7GB, or 3
>> DVD's of 8.5GB. The Toshiba imaging program told me ahead of time how
>> many disks would be needed in each case.
>>
>>
> If you're given the choice, use single layer DVDs, and immediately make
> a safety copy, which needs to be stored in a cool dark place. Or make
> .iso files of each DVD, and store those files on a USB memory stick.
> These can be used to burn new copies of the DVDs if ever you need them,
> as all writable optical storage can suffer unexplained, random failures.
>
> As, of course, can USB sticks, but you're increasing the safety factor.
>

Good advice... Thanks! I like working with USB sticks... DVDs not so
much, but they're required.
bj

On Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:53:01 -0500, chicagofan wrote:

> Thanks for the info... I was thinking 5 might be needed, but I'll
> buy more now to be safe.

Strage it only takes one to install...