backuping up Xp from my T400

[T400plus]

I am going to try windows 7 on my T400 as it is better than xp and vista(for my needs).
After some grudging half hearted help from lenovo help desk/table i managed to create the rescue disk. When I try to prepare the other disks i always get a verify failure..probably it is getting too warm for comfirt.As of now i have 3 disks for recovery , 2 spoiled disk for resotre.
Can i prepare a DVD for the content other than the recovery?. Is it worthwhile as I have a
updated XP3 with all updated T400 drivers from lenovo. Originally it was XP sp2 (on the HD).
Please , those who also have been harried by being suckered into backing up obsolete xp with
old drivers for T400?.
I am in India.
my T400 is 2765 T6U with 564 days more of the warranty.