Trying To Create A Bootable Cdr

[pmaddock]

Forum members,

Here is a copy of my post on another forum (a software company called Acronis that I am trying to use to create disk image backups):

Well, this problem is killing me. I so far have done the following things to create a bootable cdr for system recovery (image restore in DOS) using the Acronis software:
In review, I am using Acronis True Image Home, 9.0, latest build
I have a P-4 computer, 2.2 GHZ, 1 GB of ram, Plextor 40/12/40A PlexWriter CD burner, Windows XP PRO - using Maxell slow write speed cdr's (at least not the high speed versions)

1. I have updated my cd firmware to the lastest firmware
2. I have used Windows Media Player software to turn my CD write speed down to 4X
3. I have stopped all programs from running in the background while burning the boot disk (especially firewalls, Norton Antivirus, screen savers, etc.)

No matter what I do, I keep creating coasters. I either get bad media messages after burning, or the cd will not boot up on reboot. It either locks up before the Acronis loader kicks, or right after the loader kicks in. Either way, nothing happens, my computer locks up, and I have to press the on/off button to get back to my desktop. I am close to trying the same thing with a cdrw, but do not currently have any software to initiate the disk. I called Acronis and a guy is making me a bootable disk for the current build, but this will do my no good in the future when they do more builds. The only good news is that my Acronis software installation disk will boot up in DOS, but once again soooner or later I need to make my own bootable disk with this software. Does anyone else have any other ideas? My burner is at least 4 years old, maybe it is time to go ahead an buy a new CDRW, DVDRW burner. Or maybe the problem is the Maxell disks. Does anyone have a suggestion for a better brand of CDR that is more compatible with all computers, burners, and this Acronis software? I am looking forward to additional suggestions.

PCMECH members - there you see my problem. No one has been much help to me to solve this problem (even Acronis). Others have experienced similar problems with this bootable disk problem, but others have also been able to do it. I would think that my CD burner is pretty good (at least it was highly recommended 4 years ago). Could it be the disks that I am using. They are Maxell cdrs, slow writers (not high speed), 80 minute disks. Should I try to find some of the older 74 minute disks (if they still exist)? Is there a good brand of disks that have been found to be more compatible with most people's burners? Do I need to buy a newer burner, or perhaps graduate to a DVD burner? You guys/gals have been the best in the past to helping me with my computer problems. What do you all think? I look forward to your comments.

PMADDOCK

[glc]

You should not have to make a bootable CD if you have the software CD. It will boot into the Acronis DOS GUI menu with mouse support and restore image is one of the options.

Anyway, the last batch of Maxell CDR's I used were not very good. A lot of machines had a hard time reading them.

[pmaddock]

GLC,


Correct, the current software CD works fine (for now). Acronis (and other people in the True Image forum) keep telling me that you have to make a new bootable cd every time they (Acronis) update their software build, just to make sure that you have all the latest drivers. This is what I have been trying to do for a couple days, with no success. It could be that the Maxell CDR's are bad. I even tried it with a Plextor cdr that came with the drive, but no avail. The common denominator in these failures are that all the CDR's are 80 minute CDR's. I read somewhere that the old 74 minute CDR's might work better. My next step is to go to COMP USA and see if they have any of those 74 minute CDR's (assuming they still carry them). I'm just not sure what brand to buy. I think maybe I'll try Verbatim.

PM

[glc]

I dont see what difference having the latest drivers makes - if it works, it's going to keep working.

[pmaddock]

GLC,

I understand what you are saying, but I am just trying to do what Acronis keeps recommending to be done. They are sending me a new boot disk by mail, which should be good for quite some time. Through some other suggestions from individuals, I have some other things to try on this issue:

1. I am going to install my purchased software on my laptop, create a bootable CD with it, and see if it works on either computer.
2. I am going to try to create the bootable CDR in safe mode
3. I am going to clean my burner
4. I am going to purchase some high speed CDR disks and run my burner at a decent speed (maybe 16X)
5. I am going to purchase a different brand of disks, perhaps some 74 minute disks
6. I can also try removing and re-installing my software, only re-installing the latest buiid (since I have registered with the site and have my purchased software serial #), vs installing the latest build on top of what I purchased and originally installed (I have seen different schools of thought on this one, with some recommending removing the original build building installing the latest build and others saying you can install the new build on top of the old build).
7. I can also purchase NERO (assuming this is the best burner software to buy) software, initiate one of my CDRW's for data storage, create a boot disk with the CDRW and see if that works. At least I can wipe the disk clean and try it over many times if I want to.
8. Finally I could open my pocket book, go to NEWEGG and purchase a new CDRW/DVDRW burner and see what happens. At least my computer would have more capabilities.

I have lots of options to try on this problem. When something is wrong with my system, I generally do whatever it takes to find out what is wrong. Thanks for your suggestions.

PM

[glc]

My suggestion: Just use the build you have, no need to keep updating. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

[pmaddock]

Forum members,

Well I narrowed down my problem to my CD burner. I went out and bought a LG DVD burner and could not be happier. It's amazing how much the price has come down on DVD burners. A couple years ago they were $400, and now you can get a good one for less than $100. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

PM