Unable to Create Windows 7 System Image on DVD's

I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop. System
images for both are on external HD's.

On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using DVD-R's.
No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.

However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my desktop,
I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful." If I use a
DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I had to
use RW's because I don't have any +R's.

I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank DVD-R with
Win 7.

My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I can't
use -R's?
I have a feeling this is the case.

I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a problem on
my part.


Thank you very much.

On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
<XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:

>I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop. System
>images for both are on external HD's.
>
>On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using DVD-R's.
>No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>
>However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my desktop,
>I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful." If I use a
>DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I had to
>use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>
>I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank DVD-R with
>Win 7.
>
>My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I can't
>use -R's?
> I have a feeling this is the case.
>
>I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a problem on
>my part.
>
>
>Thank you very much.
>


Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
the burner too.

"kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>
>>I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop. System
>>images for both are on external HD's.
>>
>>On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using DVD-R's.
>>No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>
>>However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>desktop,
>>I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful." If I use
>>a
>>DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I had to
>>use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>
>>I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank DVD-R with
>>Win 7.
>>
>>My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I can't
>>use -R's?
>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>
>>I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a problem
>>on
>>my part.
>>
>>
>>Thank you very much.
>>
>
>
> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
> the burner too.

Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.

Thanks.

"Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>
>
> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop. System
>>>images for both are on external HD's.
>>>
>>>On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>DVD-R's.
>>>No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>
>>>However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>>desktop,
>>>I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful." If I
>>>use a
>>>DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I had to
>>>use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>
>>>I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank DVD-R with
>>>Win 7.
>>>
>>>My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I can't
>>>use -R's?
>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>
>>>I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a problem
>>>on
>>>my part.
>>>
>>>
>>>Thank you very much.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>> the burner too.
>
> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.

No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive details in the
device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are called in Windows 7).

GT wrote:
> "Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
> news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>>
>>
>> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
>> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop.
>>>> System images for both are on external HD's.
>>>>
>>>> On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>> DVD-R's.
>>>> No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>>
>>>> However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>>> desktop,
>>>> I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful."
>>>> If I use a
>>>> DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I
>>>> had to use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>>
>>>> I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank
>>>> DVD-R with Win 7.
>>>>
>>>> My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I
>>>> can't use -R's?
>>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>>
>>>> I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a
>>>> problem on
>>>> my part.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>>> the burner too.
>>
>> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.
>
> No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive details
> in the device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are called in
> Windows 7).

You can also get the drive details by using the Freeware program SIW or
System Information for Windows found at
http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html. If you don't want to install the
program download the Standalone version (English-Only) and run that. The
program will provide you with more information about your system than most
are aware of or even care to read.

In your case look under Storage Devices with in the Hardware section and
don't forget to click on the Capabilities option when you get to your DVD
device.

"GlowingBlueMist" <GlowingBlueMist@truely.invalid> wrote in message
news:4af488ea$1@news.x-privat.org...
> GT wrote:
>> "Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
>> news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>>>
>>>
>>> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
>>> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>>>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>>>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop.
>>>>> System images for both are on external HD's.
>>>>>
>>>>> On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>>> DVD-R's.
>>>>> No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>>>> desktop,
>>>>> I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful."
>>>>> If I use a
>>>>> DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I
>>>>> had to use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>>>
>>>>> I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank
>>>>> DVD-R with Win 7.
>>>>>
>>>>> My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I
>>>>> can't use -R's?
>>>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a
>>>>> problem on
>>>>> my part.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>>>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>>>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>>>> the burner too.
>>>
>>> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.
>>
>> No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive details
>> in the device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are called in
>> Windows 7).
>
> You can also get the drive details by using the Freeware program SIW or
> System Information for Windows found at
> http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html. If you don't want to install
> the program download the Standalone version (English-Only) and run that.
> The program will provide you with more information about your system than
> most are aware of or even care to read.
>
> In your case look under Storage Devices with in the Hardware section and
> don't forget to click on the Capabilities option when you get to your DVD
> device.
>

Thank you for the SIW tip. And I thought BelArc Advisor provided a lot of
information!

Now to the problem.

SIW reports, under Storage Devices/Capabilities, that the DVD Writer is
capable of DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM . That seems indeed to be correct but
the fact remains that Windows Create System Image will NOT write an image to
a DVD-R disk. All other applications such as Nero write to it quite
happily. Window Create System Image WILL write to a DVD+RW even though that
is not indicated in the Capabilities. Make me wonder.

Go figure.

Unfortunately, SIW says the manufacture is unknown so I've no way of
contacting them without removing the cover and device to see if I can find a
manufactures name.

Thanks again for the SIW tip. I am gong to keep it around.

Jack Gillis wrote:
> "GlowingBlueMist" <GlowingBlueMist@truely.invalid> wrote in message
> news:4af488ea$1@news.x-privat.org...
>> GT wrote:
>>> "Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
>>> news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>>>>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>>>>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop.
>>>>>> System images for both are on external HD's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>>>> DVD-R's.
>>>>>> No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on
>>>>>> my desktop,
>>>>>> I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful."
>>>>>> If I use a
>>>>>> DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it.
>>>>>> I had to use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank
>>>>>> DVD-R with Win 7.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I
>>>>>> can't use -R's?
>>>>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a
>>>>>> problem on
>>>>>> my part.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>>>>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>>>>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>>>>> the burner too.
>>>>
>>>> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.
>>>
>>> No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive
>>> details in the device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are
>>> called in Windows 7).
>>
>> You can also get the drive details by using the Freeware program SIW
>> or System Information for Windows found at
>> http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html. If you don't want to
>> install the program download the Standalone version (English-Only)
>> and run that. The program will provide you with more information
>> about your system than most are aware of or even care to read.
>>
>> In your case look under Storage Devices with in the Hardware section
>> and don't forget to click on the Capabilities option when you get to
>> your DVD device.
>>
>
> Thank you for the SIW tip. And I thought BelArc Advisor provided a
> lot of information!
>
> Now to the problem.
>
> SIW reports, under Storage Devices/Capabilities, that the DVD Writer
> is capable of DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM . That seems indeed to be
> correct but the fact remains that Windows Create System Image will
> NOT write an image to a DVD-R disk. All other applications such as
> Nero write to it quite happily. Window Create System Image WILL
> write to a DVD+RW even though that is not indicated in the
> Capabilities. Make me wonder.
> Go figure.
>
> Unfortunately, SIW says the manufacture is unknown so I've no way of
> contacting them without removing the cover and device to see if I can
> find a manufactures name.
>
> Thanks again for the SIW tip. I am gong to keep it around.

Win some loose some... I use the Secrets section to scare those who love
Outlook Express and others that don't know how to handle passwords
correctly.

You might want to give the freeware program ImgBurm a try. It says it's
compatible with W7-32 or 64 bit as well as the older operating systems. It
can be found at the authors site at: http://www.imgburn.com/ That would at
least rule out another of Microsoft's possible bugs as the problem. If it
don't work then hardware is most likely the problem. I have however run
into some drives that absolutely refuse to work with one brand or another of
blanks as well. Usually the cheaper non-major brands but sometimes the
biggies get refused as well.

Jack Gillis wrote:
>
>
> "GlowingBlueMist" <GlowingBlueMist@truely.invalid> wrote in message
> news:4af488ea$1@news.x-privat.org...
>> GT wrote:
>>> "Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
>>> news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>>>>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>>>>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop.
>>>>>> System images for both are on external HD's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>>>> DVD-R's.
>>>>>> No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>>>>> desktop,
>>>>>> I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful."
>>>>>> If I use a
>>>>>> DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I
>>>>>> had to use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank
>>>>>> DVD-R with Win 7.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I
>>>>>> can't use -R's?
>>>>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a
>>>>>> problem on
>>>>>> my part.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>>>>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>>>>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>>>>> the burner too.
>>>>
>>>> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.
>>>
>>> No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive details
>>> in the device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are called in
>>> Windows 7).
>>
>> You can also get the drive details by using the Freeware program SIW
>> or System Information for Windows found at
>> http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html. If you don't want to
>> install the program download the Standalone version (English-Only) and
>> run that. The program will provide you with more information about
>> your system than most are aware of or even care to read.
>>
>> In your case look under Storage Devices with in the Hardware section
>> and don't forget to click on the Capabilities option when you get to
>> your DVD device.
>>
>
> Thank you for the SIW tip. And I thought BelArc Advisor provided a lot
> of information!
>
> Now to the problem.
>
> SIW reports, under Storage Devices/Capabilities, that the DVD Writer is
> capable of DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM . That seems indeed to be correct
> but the fact remains that Windows Create System Image will NOT write an
> image to a DVD-R disk. All other applications such as Nero write to it
> quite happily. Window Create System Image WILL write to a DVD+RW even
> though that is not indicated in the Capabilities. Make me wonder.
>
> Go figure.
>
> Unfortunately, SIW says the manufacture is unknown so I've no way of
> contacting them without removing the cover and device to see if I can
> find a manufactures name.
>
> Thanks again for the SIW tip. I am gong to keep it around.

I don't know anything about the software you're using, but instead
of writing directly to optical media, can it create an ISO9660 file
instead ? If it could, you could then use a separate burner program
to finish the job.

Personally, I'd much rather have an intermediate file, than have
a program write to disc itself. That way, I get to choose the
best solution for burning (and verifying) the results.

Paul

"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message
news:hd4fjj$mht$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Jack Gillis wrote:
>>
>>
>> "GlowingBlueMist" <GlowingBlueMist@truely.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:4af488ea$1@news.x-privat.org...
>>> GT wrote:
>>>> "Jack Gillis" <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:F_SdnbY8vZz4xW7XnZ2dnUVZ_h-dnZ2d@posted.widowmaker...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:t0i6f5tkgeaber2h89bntgmb2odg0ve057@4ax.com...
>>>>>> On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:43:27 -0500, "Jack Gillis"
>>>>>> <XXXXXXXX@widomaker.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have Win 7 64 bit installed on my laptop as well as my desktop.
>>>>>>> System images for both are on external HD's.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On the laptop, I have created a system image on blank DVD's using
>>>>>>> DVD-R's.
>>>>>>> No problems -- I can restore from the DVD's.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> However, when I try to create a system image on blank DVD-R's on my
>>>>>>> desktop,
>>>>>>> I get a message saying something like, "format was unsuccessful."
>>>>>>> If I use a
>>>>>>> DVD+RW the process runs to completion and I can restore from it. I
>>>>>>> had to use RW's because I don't have any +R's.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I get the same unsuccessful message if I try to format a blank
>>>>>>> DVD-R with Win 7.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My DVD burner on the desktop says it is a +R. Does that mean I
>>>>>>> can't use -R's?
>>>>>>> I have a feeling this is the case.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've no idea whether this is a Win 7 problem, burner problem or a
>>>>>>> problem on
>>>>>>> my part.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you very much.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Get the model # off the burner and seek it's specs online.
>>>>>> Sometimes burning apps need updated to support burners newer
>>>>>> than they are, and you might check on a firmware update for
>>>>>> the burner too.
>>>>>
>>>>> Good idea. I will do that the next time I take the cover off.
>>>>
>>>> No need to take the cover off - you should find all the drive details
>>>> in the device manager or disk manager (or whatever they are called in
>>>> Windows 7).
>>>
>>> You can also get the drive details by using the Freeware program SIW or
>>> System Information for Windows found at
>>> http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html. If you don't want to install
>>> the program download the Standalone version (English-Only) and run that.
>>> The program will provide you with more information about your system
>>> than most are aware of or even care to read.
>>>
>>> In your case look under Storage Devices with in the Hardware section and
>>> don't forget to click on the Capabilities option when you get to your
>>> DVD device.
>>>
>>
>> Thank you for the SIW tip. And I thought BelArc Advisor provided a lot
>> of information!
>>
>> Now to the problem.
>>
>> SIW reports, under Storage Devices/Capabilities, that the DVD Writer is
>> capable of DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM . That seems indeed to be correct
>> but the fact remains that Windows Create System Image will NOT write an
>> image to a DVD-R disk. All other applications such as Nero write to it
>> quite happily. Window Create System Image WILL write to a DVD+RW even
>> though that is not indicated in the Capabilities. Make me wonder.
>>
>> Go figure.
>>
>> Unfortunately, SIW says the manufacture is unknown so I've no way of
>> contacting them without removing the cover and device to see if I can
>> find a manufactures name.
>>
>> Thanks again for the SIW tip. I am gong to keep it around.
>
> I don't know anything about the software you're using, but instead
> of writing directly to optical media, can it create an ISO9660 file
> instead ? If it could, you could then use a separate burner program
> to finish the job.
>
> Personally, I'd much rather have an intermediate file, than have
> a program write to disc itself. That way, I get to choose the
> best solution for burning (and verifying) the results.
>
> Paul
>

Thanks Paul.
Haven't tried the ISO route but have burned the image directly to a CD+RW
and then copied the disk directly to a CD-R using Nero and it worked.