Cannot Complete Create Recovery Media using DVDs

[Curmudgeon10]

I used the HP Utility to Create Recovery Media using DVDs.  The first disk OK.  The second was a little finicky, requiring a couple of starts, restarts, etc. but finally executed OK according to the software.  However, the third will not begin at all.  I've gone through three different new DVDs, thinking perhaps one was flawed.  I've rebooted and restarted the app numerious times.  It always recognizes the fact that the process has already begun, and only the last disk needs to be done.  It just doesn't do it.  Nothing happens.  From sound, there is no disk access going on.

Based on the trouble with Disk #2, and even if I can get Disk #3 to "work," I really have low confidence that this set of disks will work when needed.

How do I "eradicate" this failed effort so I can try fresh, this time with a single USB stick?

[old_geekster]

@Curmudgeon10, welcome to the forum.

I have asked the appropriate people at HP to see what they can do to help you solve your problem.

[Curmudgeon10]

OK, thanks!

[WAWood]

While you are waiting for HP to contact you, you might want to consider using a third part tool known as Macrium Reflect to create Recovery Media for you.

What I recommend is the following:
1) Download and install Macrium Reflect (MR)
2) Run MR and choose the option: "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows" to write a full backup to an external drive, USB stick, or DVDs
3) Use the option to create a boot USB stick or CD

I use this all the time and it typically takes less than 10 minutes to do the image backup and about the same time or less to do a restore. Plus, MR has the option to Add a Recovery Boot Menu entry. This allows you then to boot into WinPE, and you can then use that to do a restore -- when you can't boot into Windows!

NOW, you have the means to restore a full working system from the external drive, USB stick, or DVDs in only a few minutes.

Good Luck

[Curmudgeon10]

Sounds very interesting.  I would say I think I'll try it, except it might give HP an excuse not to address the problem with my situation.  Thanks!

[Curmudgeon10 · Accepted solution]

3rd Disk Is being created now.  I put in a FOURTH unformatted DVD and went through the procedure, and it worked. (so far).  Have no idea what explains my difficulties up until this point.

[banhien]

Hi,

Sound like you did not use the right/standard blank +R DVD's. Anyway, you won't be able to create the second set. Now please keep the 1 set in a safe place and hoe you won't need it in future.

Have a good weekend.

Regards.

[Curmudgeon10]

Perhaps.  But each DVD I tried was pulled from a stack of identical ones I purchased a few months ago.