Does anyone have any comments or recommendations relative to backup programs such as Nero, Adaptech etc?Some time ago when I bought my present system, included was a Yamaha CRW2100 CDRW along with Adaptech 4.02 and an early version of CDDirect software. Originally with Windows 98SE, it worked fine. I upgraded to Windows XP Pro several months ago, and unless I am mistaken, I was able to copy some files directly to CD's implementing only the XP provisions. It has been quite some time since I tried, so memory could fail me, but I don't think there were any problems with a straight copy of data.Recently, I had a hard drive crash. In an effort to find a method of backing up my hard drive after reinstallation of everything, I discovered that Windows Backup does not apply to CD's, only floppies, tape backup, or to another hard drive. No CD's for the backup function by selection of the hard drive letter and tools is workable. (Help confirms this darn it).I tried to install the Adaptech 4.02 and DirectCD. I got an error message that it was not compatible with WINXP. I went to the site and downloaded whatever upgrades (the free ones) that were available in an effort to get it to work. I thought DirectCD did, but that turned out to not be stable and consistent.I removed the Adaptech and DirectCD software.Unfortunately now, I cannot copy to CD's through windows either. The data shows up immediately after ocpying, but after the CD is removed and then inserted in, either the original CDRW drive, or another ROM drive the computer refuses to recognize the presence of the CD. If I look at properties, it says it has zero data, but also zero free space, and the disk is represented as blue (full disk indication). I fear that the installation of the old non-compatible software fouled up the registry in some way that has made XP copying corrupt as well. If I am not mistaken, Windows provisions are really from Roxio. Adaptech is also Roxio.Presently, I am backing up the critical stuff from each of my harddrives to the other, in the event that I should ever get another failure, which works fine. My CDRW is useless for copying, although it works like a regular ROM with no problem relative to reading CD's.I am considering reformatting my primary drive, and starting over to see if I can get my CDRW to copy correctly again out of WINXP. Before I do that, I thought that I would see if anybody else has been down this road, and had any suggestions, possibly a way to correct my problem without reformatting (assuming that that would work.)I was also wondering if anyone had recommendations for a better program for total backup to CD's.Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.RTH

If your CDRW is working but just the software that's giving problems I would head over to Nero's site and have a look if that offers a backup facillity.I only have Nero Express that came with a CDRW and that doesn't have a backup option but IIRC the full version does.www.nero.comFailing that do a search for baackup software on the 'Net, there may be some free utilities available.Best of luck.

I'd look at Norton's Ghost. If I'm not mistaken, you can image your drive to another hard disk, compressing at the same time, or to CD, spanning several disc's. Reboot from the CD and away you go.Only drawback I believe is that you cannot restore single files from these CD's. In those cases, something like Nero would be recommended. - Tom KONT