Windows 7-Create System Repair Disc not regonizing USB DVD Drive

[Skip-]

When I try to Create a system Repair Disc with Windows 7, the window that pops up (so you can select the DVD drive to use) does pop up, but then immediately closes. The symptom is the same regardless of if I use the USB port on the left-hand or right-hand side of the laptop. If I disconnect the USB DVD drive and try to create a system repair disc, I do get an, espected, popup indicating windows could not find a DVD drive (and to connect one, etc.). Any thoughts on what the heck is going on?

[WAWood]

@Skip- 

That's because Win7 does not provide a built-in function to create a "recovery drive" that is on a USB stick, only on optical media.

If all you want is a Repair Disk, but on USB stick, then consider using a third-party utility that will create a Boot USB that can then be used to repair Win7: Macrium Reflect.

What I recommend is the following:
1) Download and install Macrium Reflect (MR) from here: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
2) Use the option to create a boot USB stick

[Skip-]

Thanks. I do have a "system image" backed created on an external hard-drive. Also have windows backups going to the same external drive. Then have my own script written to back up files to a different external hard drive. So sounds like Win7 can't make a "system repair disc" unless its to an integrated DVD. Well, that's a bummer.
Fair enough. I'll check out the untilty you mention and I've seen a few places where a "System repair disc" can be made to a USB drive (I do like to have everything I need for worst case) and I'll go down that route.
Thanks much!

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Re-reading the suggestion, I actually AM trying to make a recovery DVD on an optical DVD-RW drive, via Windows7's "create a system repair disc" under "Backup and restore your files". It's just external (via a USB port on the laptop) as opposed to an integrated DVD-RW drive.
When I goto Start -> All Programs -> Productivity and Tools -> HP Recovery Disc Creator ... that program does recognize the external DVD-RW drive as an Optical drive. But when I try to use Windows7's "create a system repair disc" the external DVD-RW drive "appears" to not be recognized (the window to select your DVD backup drive opens for a moment, then closes within a couple of seconds).

Any ideas?