CDR Backups can be made many different ways.  The main factor in determining the best way to make backups is the CDR that you use.  Different CDR programs will not include the drivers needed for all CDRs.  Basically this means that the first objective is to find a CDR program that will allow you use the correct driver for your CDR.  This can be a difficult task, especially if you use and IDE drive.  Most CDR programs recognize SCSI CDRs, but have difficulty detecting the correct drivers for their IDE counterparts.  For instance, CDRWIN will not allow the use of any IDE CDR, or CD-ROM Drives.  However, Fireburner, which uses the same format as CDRWIN will allow the use of IDE drives.