Formatting Issue

I've got a functioning Win7 32bit Ultimate (SP1). I am trying to create an emergency backup disk and am trying to do it with a brand-new set of DVD-R. I have followed Windows format instructions. I've wasted 5 new disks. I can't get the formatting to work. I want a NFTS partition so I can have it if/when I need it. I've got a Toshiba C655-S5090 notebook that's on its' last legs and need to back things up before I transition to a new AMD quad-core desktop.

Can someone tell me how to do this? I want to do 2 things: 1) make a bootable backup; and 2) then using Macrium create an image of my system onto a one TB peripheral.

Thanks in advance! Whazzupdoc