Nero 6.3.1.17 image question

WinXP Home, SP2

I made an image of the "C" partition frm my HD using Windows Backup program.
This image was created on an externalHD (USB2) and is 3.80Gig in size with an
extension of ".bkf "

When trying to use nero to write this image thru a Dual-Layer combo DVD and
onto a normal DVD-RW (4.7 Gig). I get error msgs about:

Using Data option, msg is: Sorry, file is greater than 2 Gig.
Using Image option msg is: Unknown file extension

Question - How can i get this backupfile.bkf written to the DVD-RW?

thanks,
savagcl

 

How large is the file? DOS based programs can read 2GB files. That apparently applies to Nero too. Ghost makes files that size already. Might try splitting the file into that size chunks with one of the old DOS utilities like split/merge, unless you're on NTFS .

 

sparrow,

the file size is 3.80 and yes, i'm on NTFS.

What i'm trying to do is create an image of the "C" partition (windows) and
put it on a bootable DVD. Supposedly nero can do this but i have had no luck.

thanks,
savagcl

 

This has to do with the format system used for data cds and data dvds, it has a file limit of 2GB.

I also do not think that windows backup if that is what you are referring to creates an "image file" which you can restore from a bootable DVD etc.
What it does is check the files on your hard drive to see if they are marked for archiving and if so , it makes a backup copy. It cannot backup a file which is in use and does not worry about ones which are not marked for archiving.

Likewise, it will not restore from other than within windows.

To do what you want to do , you need to use Norton Ghost to make a Ghost Image file . It is capable of burning this directly to a DVD and making the dvd bootable and including Ghost to restore it.

 

oshwyn5,

I'm sure some of what you say is correct.

The 2GB limit came from Nero not the backup program itself.

I think maybe the MS Backup program has been updated slightly from the
older versions. For example, it will backup a complete HD or partition or just
those files you want to backup. It also has the "shadow copy" feature to
enable backing up those files that are open (in use).

Granted, its not what i'd call an "image file" like other backups create and
granted, it will not do a raw restore (i did manage to restore 1 but only after
i had gotten so far in a windows re-install). The file i did restore was on an
external (USB) HD.

Nothing that mentions Norton or Symantec will ever reside on my system.
Sorry, personal preference there.

Thanks for the input,
savagcl

 

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/pciclone.html

I'll have to check my old download lists. I used to have a bunch of drive imaging and cloning programs which were free and worked well.
But you can start looking here
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

Acronis true image?

This one does just what you want
http://www.drive-image.com/

 

oshwyn5,

Thanks! those are new to me.

I'll take a closer look, soonist.

savagcl

 

The other thing I thought of is that the 2GB limit is a limit of the ISO9660 / Joliet format. Have you tried formatting UDF (Universal Data Format, like INCD) ? Yes you will have to copy the boot stuff manually .
http://www.ccp14.ac.uk/ccp14admin/linux-server/iso_images_to_dvdram/


Here is some more info on file systems of optical drives
http://www.smart-projects.net/isobuster/help/noframes/hs160.htm

Here are some more free ones to check out
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

 

I'm getting a headache from reading all that stuff.

Re: Acronis True Image - This is what i normally would use (worked on old
system) but new system has 64-bit addressing capability and Acronis TI wont
work the 64-bit addresses. Acronis is working on an update to allow this but
its not due out untill "sometime" this fall.

Guess i'll have to wait and be careful in the mean time about not blowing up
XP.

thanks,
savagcl

 

What about Norton "Ghost "

What about Norton Ghost it will write directely to a cdr info Here and more info on how to use it Here try and get version 2003 if you can as it is the one i use and have had no problems with it.

 

alboy,

reference above (29th August 2005 20:37).

savagcl

 

Sorry what did i miss ?

 

"Nothing that mentions Norton or Symantec will ever reside on my system.
Sorry, personal preference there. "

You missed above extract from previous post.

No problem, i cant count the number of things i miss on a daily basis. Mostly
because i lose track after 1 million..

but, thanks for the interest,
savagcl

 

Sorry must be be my old age creeping up on me

 

Follow up.

I went and got Acronis 8.0 (latest build), installed it and did a backup of the
"C" partition (thats all i need backed up, anything else i can re-install).

Apparently, the 8.0 had no problems with 64-bit addressing since it ran and
gave no errors. Even the image verify worked, and again, no errors.

But thats only half of it. I'm trying to do a restore (different process just to
make sure it will work right. Problem is that since its the "C" (windowsXp)
partition i dont want to restore it to the original location (meaning if it dont
work, windows is kaput). So i'm working with Acronis to see if i can restore
the image to an external (USB) drive as a logical partition vs active. That
way, i'll have proof it works and still have windowsXP operational. Of course
the logical "test" partition will be deleted after the testing and verifying.

savagcl