How to get perfect DVD Backups with free software.

[blinky88]

I started to backup my DVD's about six months ago. At first I did experience some problems because my burner was installed in an external USB2 enclosure. Having the burner in that enclosure caused many coasters, I do not think that problem (SCSI command abort) has been overcome to date. I removed the burner from the external enclosure and installed it in my tower. That move plus advise given to me on this site about software has overcome all of my previous problems.

I have a Pioneer 106D Burner and have no problems at all using the following method.

1. Use Shrink to re-author and backup. (FREE DOWNLOAD)
2. Use imgTool Classic and convert to an ISO image. ( ALSO FREE)
3. Burn with DVD Decriptor. (& ALSO FREE)

Delete step 2 if your HDD in formatted NTFS.

No coasters, no skips or freezes and a backup that is hard pick from the original DVD, more importantly, I use the cheapest DVD media I can find which at this time are 4X-R Princo.

[racer-x]

You can skip step-2. The lattest version of Shrink will let you save to an ISO image.

[blinky88]

NOT SO racerX, my HDD are Fat32 and will only handle files up to 4gig and most of my DVD's finish up around 4.3gig.

I have 100% success rate with the above process with near to perfect backups .... why would I change.

[vrieze42]

If you convert from fat32 to ntfs then you can skip the second step. Fat32 has a 4 gig limit on files....Terence

[spiderman2k1]

Go to https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=19#19 take a look that was a free version of DVDFAB but I think they took it down it would split a DVD9 into two DVD-R. DVDshrink is the best one that very easy to use. The other program that use CCE will give better picture but take alot longer.

[blinky88]

I will stick with fat32 because of file transfer between various PC's in my family.

Fact is, step 2 only takes around 10 minutes and I'm more than happy with the results I'm getting, so why would I consider any change at all.

I adhered to the advise given me on this site and the purpose of this post was to offer the same advise to other members hoping it would help them overcome any problems they are having.

[MackemX]

it's good you have posted your findings to help other but maybe you should edit your first post as it will just create extra work for people using NTFS

just state in step 2 that you can skip this step if you are using NTFS and output directly to an image using DVDShrink, so anyone skip reading won't start creating unecessary images

if you want to also skip step 2 without converting to NTFS then you could create an extra partition on your HD and convert that to NTFS (say 8 or 9GB). You can then have a mix of Fat32 and NTFS on your system. This is what I had on one of my Hard Drives and it was very handy for images greater than 4GB

of course you would need a big HD but it would save you having to create images all the time when burning

p.s. please try not to use CAPS in a subject title as it just gives a misleading impression that this is something amazing

[Gurm]

"For file transfer to family members" is the silliest reason EVER to leave your hard drive as FAT32. Point in fact is that unless you're running Win9x, there is NO benefit to be had from FAT32.

I realize that you're happy with the way you're doing it, but when posting a "how-to", sticking to your "tried-and-true" ancient methods is not going to work for most people.

- Gurm

P.S. Just so this isn't a bash, here's an updated list for you.

1. Install an NT-kernel OS.
2. Run DVD Shrink 3.2 (or higher, if someone from the future is reading this). Have it output to an ISO and "burn with DVD Decrypter"
3. Hit the "burn" button when DVD Decrypter pops up.

Heh.

[wulf109]

ISO images can be created with DVD decrypter and it gets around the 4GB limit by creating separate linked files. Also Image Tool Classic has a setting to overcome the 4Gb limit.

[MackemX]

ISO images can be created with DVD decrypter and it gets around the 4GB limit by creating separate linked files. Also Image Tool Classic has a setting to overcome the 4Gb limit.

I know you can create an image of a DVD but are you saying you create ISO images from files on your Hard Drive?

the problem here is that DVDShrink creates images but doesn't split the file into segments. It would be a nice option in Shrink to have it split the ISO for all those Fat32 users out there though. Not everyone has the ways and means to update to something like XP yet

[Gurm]

ISO images can be created with DVD decrypter and it gets around the 4GB limit by creating separate linked files. Also Image Tool Classic has a setting to overcome the 4Gb limit.

If there are multiple files, then by definition it isn't an ISO any more.

RecordNow's format makes 1GB files, with extensions .GI, .G11, etc.

But they aren't ISO files. ISO files are a SINGLE file with an ENTIRE disc image inside.

- Gurm

[jameshgross]

blinky,
The FAT32 file system is an obsolete file system. You should update all your computers to NTFS.
FAT32 FS is prone to file fragmention and lost clusters and small max file size. Failure to move to NTFS leaves you about 20 yrs. behinfd in file system technology.
Whenever you introduce an unnecessary step into a process you open up the possiblity of error, get rid of step two.

[bdf24]

Why anyone would want to stick with fat 32 if a NTFS OS is available to them makes no sense to me. As far as file transfering or sharing across a network. It does'nt matter whether it's fat 32 or NTFS. If your network is setup correctly it will still see the PC and be able to access them. The only problem you would have is if you tried to stick that drive in a win98 or lower OS and try to access the drive.

[MackemX]

lol, it's not obsolete it's just older technology

why is it my PC has worked just fine?

it's FAT32 with a 20GB NTFS partition on 1 HD in case I ever need to use an image (very rarely). I'm just too lazy to change the whole thing to NTFS as I have nearly 400Gb files on 5 Hard Drives with a zillion various programs installed on my OS over the last few years but I wouldn't say that it's obsolete and 20 years behind . My PC still performs just as well as it ever did also

it's another one of those, if it works for you then why change but in my case it's probably just being lazy

p.s. I do however install NTFS whenever I build a new computer for someone as I would never think of using FAT32

[ddlooping]

Hi all.

Sorry if I misread your posts, but DVD Shrink v3.2 will automatically split its ISO output when used with FAT32 systems.

Added automatic support for splitting ISO files if they are saved to a FAT32 partition. In this case a .MDS file is also output which can be burned with DVD Decrypter and mounted by Daemon Tools. MDS files can additionally be opened with DVD Shrink from the "Open Disc Image..." menu.

[MackemX]

lol, thanks for 'fixing' my request from earlier in this thread so soon dd

now I know it has this option also

[Gurm]

An .MDS file with split image is NOT the same as an ISO image.

- Gurm

[FOO]

Everything I have is NTFS, but every once in a while
I sure would like to boot up on a floppy and
play around in the C drive like I used to. I could boot a CD but I find
the utilities on the XP CD pitiful.

..which brings up a question. who knows how to make a bootable
CD with whatever you want on it ? .. or a floppy that is NTFS capable

[jarvis1781]

Everything I have is NTFS, but every once in a while
I sure would like to boot up on a floppy and
play around in the C drive like I used to. I could boot a CD but I find
the utilities on the XP CD pitiful.

..which brings up a question. who knows how to make a bootable
CD with whatever you want on it ? .. or a floppy that is NTFS capable

you can make a bootable CD with anything you want on it using Nero

[ViRaL1]

You can read NTFS partitions booting from a floppy if you use NTFSDOS;

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfsdos.shtml

just load the driver as part of your config.sys / autoexec.bat. If you want to read AND write NTFS, check out the Winternals Administrator's Pak.

http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/index.asp

[blinky88]

THANKS to everyone who responded with advise on how to eliminate step 2. I will install a 2nd HHD and format it NTFS and see if the results are as good as I have been getting.

There are many members using some very expensive software and buying expensive media when the software recommended to me is FREE and I am getting exceptional results with Princo DVD-R 4X which are considered rubbish in many posts I have read.

Again, thanks for the input.

[ddlooping]

blinky88, you did read the post saying DVD Shrink v3.2 will automatically split its ISO output on FAT32 systems, right?

[blinky88]

Hi ddlooping,

No, I am using Shrink 3.1.4.7 and from what I can see it does not split an ISO image.

Maybe I should upgrade to 3.2.

Thanks

[ddlooping]

You can have both these versions installed on your system (I have about 10 installed due to beta-testing), so I'd suggest you give it a try.

[blinky88]

Hi ddlooping,

Downloaded DVD Shrink 3.2 last night and have installed an additional 20gig HDD today (formatted NTFS).

Had a trail run with a single ISO file .... backup flawless.

Thanks for taking time out for me.

I'm an old aged, disabled pensioner and cannot understand why people are spending hard earned dollars on software when the applications I use are FREE. I am only a novice at this business however I cannot see any difference between the backup and the original.

It just goes to show an old dog can be taught new tricks.

Cheers,
Bob

[ddlooping]

You're welcome, Bob, I'm glad to hear of your success.