Testing my system backup DVD

Macrium Reflect (free) asked me to use a DVD R-W for making my backup disc but I used a DVD-R because that's all I had. It seemed to work ok but how can I test it to see what's on the disc? I don't want to disturb the Windows 7 that's in my PC of course.

put the disk in and see if theres files on it, as long as you don't start any sort of install you should be ok!

No backup is worth anything until it has been proven to work. Probably the best way is to buy a cheap HDD off ebay, unplug the existing HDD and replace with the new blank one. Then run the backup. If it works, you have a mirror copy of your OS and all programs which is a real bonus, plus you know your backup solution really works. Files on a disk mean nothing unfortunately until you prove they do the job.

At a bare minimum, you can always try copying the disk. If it reads without errors then just abort without putting the destination disk in. Although it might not be a bad idea to have a second copy, ideally on a different brand disk.

*gets de ja vu*

Great. Many thanks everyone.

What about a virtual PC session?