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Windows Backup does not back up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R devices

Article ID: 315255 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q315255

For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 262006

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/262006/EN-US/ )

SYMPTOMS

When you select a backup media device in Backup (Ntbackup.exe), you cannot select a CD-R (compact disc recordable), CD-RW (compact disc rewritable), or DVD-R (digital video disc recordable) device.

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This issue occurs because Removable Storage Management does not recognize CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R devices as backup pool media, even though you can add these media types in Removable Storage Management. Ntbackup.exe therefore does not support backup to these devices.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, perform the backup to some other media type, for example, to a tape or to a hard disk.

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STATUS

This behavior is by design.

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MORE INFORMATION

Removable Storage Management regards CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R as just a file system-capable media type. However, the Windows file system does not support formatting CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R media. Removable Storage Management cannot write an RSM free label because the disc appears to be write-protected. This means that Removable Storage Management treats CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-R media as read-only media types even if you add them to the Ntbackup media pool.

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