I know I phrase this in a Windows centric sense but it applies to Linux too. The reason I ask here is that most of the people who read and answer these posts are computer literate.

I use "Backup" in Windows XP Pro, sp 2. The problem is that, as far as I know, it only makes one big file. Much too big to fit on a DVD. Right now I save that file on another partition but if I ever have to reinstall Windows being on another partition won't protect it. I thought that being on a different partition would protect it but I made an experiment and Windows chose that partition to install on. I had 3 partitions but it didn't even show them. But even if it had chosen a good partition it names the one it chooses wrong. Windows will only install on the C drive, (at least in the version I have; it came installed on my machine). Windows named that partition D, even though it won't install to that name. MS is a lousy company. I could settle for saving the backup file this way but I'd prefer to have the backup isolated.

I use Nero 7 to burn disks but, as far as I know, it won't spread a big file over several disks, (I'd like to use and have only tried DVDs). Ideally what I need is a lot of money, then I'd just buy an external USB HD. But in my situation what I need to know is if there is backup software that creates multiple DVD sized files or a burner that will spread a big file over several DVDs.

Thanks,

royeo

I am assuming you want to do it in Linux. Try tar, bzip2 and split command. I haven't tried split command but you can try it on some other data.

Example:
This will split the file into chunks of 4096 MB or 4GB...right about a size for one DVD. Then you can just burn data DVD's.

Read up on it before you do.

BTW, i have a usb HDD just for that purpose. I just rsync every so often.

Tux,

I have found the Kdar progrma from KDE helpful in making the backups I need. It can be set to burn to a DVD. This is a special edition of the DAR program with a nice user interface. It will also run under Gnome if that is the interface you are using.

Bob