Backup4all does not need third party drivers or other cd burning software or DVD burning software installed (like ActiveX, ASPI, etc) to be able to burn a CD, DVD or a Blu-ray. The application has a built-in CD, DVD, and Blu-ray burner to backup to CD, DVD or Blu-ray discs directly.
Set up internal CD, DVD and Blu-ray burner
There are three simple steps to set up the internal CD, DVD or Blu-ray burner:
- Open File -> New (or "Backup Job Properties" and go to the "Destination" page)
- In the New Backup Wizard press CD, DVD or Blu-ray option and select the burner device you want to use. Press Next.
- On the What do you want to backup page, add the backup sources. Press Next.
- On the Filter the backup sources page, you can set include/exclude filters for backup sources. Then press Next.
- On the How do you want to backup page, you can choose the backup type and the encryption.
- On the When do you want to backup page, you can set the backup job to automatically run on the specified time and days. Press Next.
- On the Personalize your backup job page, enter a name for the backup in the Backup name field.
- Press Save and run.
Backup4all has two built-in CD/DVD/Blu-ray burning engines, so optionally you can select which one to use from the CD/DVD or Blu-ray section in File -> Options -> CD, DVD or Blu-ray.
The backup catalog (.bkc file) is stored on the destination CD, DVD or Blu-ray and locally too (if the option "Rotate disks" is unchecked). 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, DVD or Blu-ray 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.
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, DVD or Blu-ray, 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 or Blu-ray with this label.
In the split process, Backup4all creates independant zip archives, meaning that even if you lose one CD, DVD or Blu-ray, 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 SCSI Pass Through Direct layer (SPTD)
Selected by default. Backup4all uses an internal burning engine to write the CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc. It has integrated two burning engines in case that one of them does not recognize your burner. If your CD/DVD/Blu-ray burner is recognized and you have no problem at all backing up to CD/DVD/Blu-ray then you don’t have to change this option.
Use native Win32 interface (SPTI)
If you have problems backing up to CD/DVD/Blu-ray 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.
Load CD, DVD or Blu-ray before backup
You can leave the CD, DVD or Blu-ray in the cd tray as Backup4all will load it when running the backup.
Eject CD or DVD after backup
You can leave the CD, DVD or Blu-ray ejected after the backup is finished (and tested). To do so, open the "Options" window, go to the "CD, DVD or Blu-ray" page and set the "Eject CD/DVD after backup" option.
Recommendations
Please consider our recommendations when you do a backup to CD, DVD or Blu-ray:
- Do not use the same CD, DVD or Blu-ray to store consecutive backup versions. Better use different CD, DVD or Blu-ray media for each backup version (change the CD, DVD or Blu-ray at each backup run). Use a set of CD, DVD or Blu-ray 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, DVD and Blu-ray media can be burned only a limited number of times. When strange errors happen first check if the CD, DVD or Blu-ray 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.