freeware for cdrw

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fran
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Fran

Is there a freeware simiral to Nero InCD or other, able to drag & drop file
on my CD-RW discs?
 
Fran said:
Is there a freeware simiral to Nero InCD or other, able to drag & drop
file on my CD-RW discs?
Click to expand...

This has come up before and I believe the usual answer is "no."
 
All the discussion on this topic leads to the conclusion that UDF is not
quite there. People are reporting that after 5 or 6 uses they start getting
disc errors. This may not be the fault of the software, but of the discs.
Personally, while I think the concept is great, I can't risk losing data.

I burn to ordinary CD-R discs. I finalize the session but not the disc.
Next time I burn to the same disc the software asks if I want to import the
previous session. This works for me as most of the time I am adding about
50MB. It might not work for you.

Better safe than sorry.

Don
 
birdydon said:
All the discussion on this topic leads to the conclusion that UDF is not
quite there. People are reporting that after 5 or 6 uses they start getting
disc errors. This may not be the fault of the software, but of the discs.
Personally, while I think the concept is great, I can't risk losing data.
Click to expand...

From just reading Son of Spy's site, it is my understanding that
Sony's CD Extreme is now freeware, and I believe CD Extreme will do
what you want. See:
http://www.anycities.com/user1/sonofspy/MMedia.html and scroll down to
CD Extreme. HTH
 
birdydon said:
All the discussion on this topic leads to the conclusion that UDF
Click to expand...
is > not quite there. People are reporting that after 5 or 6 uses they
they start getting disc errors. This may not be the fault of the
software, but of the discs. Personally, while I think the concept is
great, I can't risk losing data. I burn to ordinary CD-R discs. I
finalize the session but not the disc. Next time I burn to the same
disc the software asks if I want to import the previous session.
This works for me as most of the time I am adding about
50MB. It might not work for you. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...

Don,
I agree totally. And by now whoever is responsible (software
manufacturers, disc makers, burner makers) should have straightened
out the problem. This, however, is not the case and is the main reason
that I refuse to upgrade to a DVD burner. In essence, if they can't
get their act together with CDRWs *even after all the time they've
had*, why should one expect anything different with DVD burners? In
fact, look at all the competing and incompatible formats there are for
DVD burners. NO THANKS!!!

Recently I completed a huge family photo archive project in which
I'd scanned, edited and named over 2700 negatives and photographs
dating back to the 1840s. Most of the names were quite long, yet still
worked nicely as long as the files resided on my hard drive.
My goal was to copy the archive onto three CDs and distribute
copies of the CD sets to my cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles.
However, when I tried (naively) to make UDF formatted CDRW discs, I
discovered two things:

1. The format is VERY unreliable and my disc production failure rate
was anywhere from 30 to 50%.
2. Most of what I saw in both usenet and on the internet indicated
that the CDRW media itself is somewhat volatile and not suitable for
long term storage. One online article even described how they are
suseptible to fungus!

http://www.nature.com/nsu/010628/010628-11.html

(Note: this is not the article I read, but describes the fungus. The
article I read mentioned that the problem is specific to CDRW but not
CDR.)

This left me with quite a problem. Distribution if not unfeasible,
was going to be at the very least both unreliable and problematic. In
addition, I was very concerned about losing two years of work because
of a possible hard drive failure, and so backing up the archive took
quite a bit of work, wasted a lot of CDRW discs and took a long time
(due to having to format the discs and also the much slower burning
times.)
After complaining to the head of my computer vendor's excellent
technical support section about all the problems with UDF, I agreed
that the best solution for backing up my archive (and as he pointed
out, in fact my whole hard drive) on a regular basis would be to buy
and install another hard drive. Then I used the very capable XXCopy
freeware program:

http://www.xxcopy.com/

to back the one hard drive up on the other. To do this, I set up a
shortcut on my desktop with the following target:

C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\XXCOPY.EXE c:\ d:\ /clone /YY
/xC:\WINDOWS\WIN386.SWP /xC:\_RESTORE\*

(note: command may wrap) YMMV depending on your OS.

As a possible distribution solution, I bought some blank CDR discs
and tried using my commercial software's disc copy function to make
copies of the CDRWs. This didn't work because most of the file names
got cut off, extensions and all.
Next I considered using ISO 9660, but that standard's file name
limitation is the old DOS like 8+3 format. Joliet is limited to 64, so
THAT wouldn't work. I desperately wanted to preserve the long file and
folder names and the complex folder structure in the distribution.
Finally, I turned to this group and I believe
for advice. The upshot was (IMO) quite
clever and yet quite simple. Each of the three sections of the archive
got compressed into a huge (over 500 mb) zip file. I then used the
following program:

http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/semkr100.html

to convert the zip file to a self extracting archive. The program
allows one to extract to a folder of one's choice, and if the folder
doesn't already exist, it creates the folder.
Next I used Karen Kenworthy's Autorun.inf Editor v1.4 utility:

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptautorun.asp

to make .inf files to make the discs "auto-activate" when placed in a
drive (assuming that the recipient's computer didn't have autorun
deactivated.) When I burned the SEs and .inf files to the CDRs, I
finalized the discs (NOT just the sessions) and used the Joliet
format, even though that wasn't necessary. The SEs were named simply
disc1.exe, disc2.exe and disc3.exe.
The upshot was that production of the discs:

1. was easy
2. was reliable
3. preserved long file and folder names
4. preserved the complex folder structure.

I've had no complaints from any of the recipients about installing
the files. However, running the discs takes some patience because the
SEs are so large and it takes a while for the extraction window to
come up. Also, installation of the files is only indicated by the
presence of hard drive light activity. When extraction is completed
though, a window pops up and tells you that the process is complete.
Installation of the files (most of them are ~ 1 mb .jpg files) is
better than reading the image files off of a CD anyway, because it's
much faster. Some of the recipients have older computers that have
slower CD drives.
 
In un momento di lucidità John Corliss ha scritto a alt.comp.freeware:

CUT
Does it do UDF though? Seriously, I've not used the program and would
like to know before I install it.
Click to expand...
No! IMHO Cd BurnerXP-Pro not supports UDF!
You can only erase CD/RW.
(never tried it, only read site notices!)
 
Taf® said:
John Corliss wrote:

CUT

No! IMHO Cd BurnerXP-Pro not supports UDF!
You can only erase CD/RW.
(never tried it, only read site notices!)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification! 80)>
 
Recently I completed a huge family photo archive project in which
I'd scanned, edited and named over 2700 negatives and photographs
dating back to the 1840s. Most of the names were quite long, yet still
worked nicely as long as the files resided on my hard drive.
My goal was to copy the archive onto three CDs and distribute
copies of the CD sets to my cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles.
However, when I tried (naively) to make UDF formatted CDRW discs, I
discovered two things:

1. The format is VERY unreliable and my disc production failure rate
was anywhere from 30 to 50%.
Click to expand...

With or without Mount Rainier UDF ?
2. Most of what I saw in both usenet and on the internet indicated
that the CDRW media itself is somewhat volatile and not suitable for
long term storage. One online article even described how they are
suseptible to fungus!

http://www.nature.com/nsu/010628/010628-11.html
Click to expand...
(Note: this is not the article I read, but describes the fungus. The
article I read mentioned that the problem is specific to CDRW but not
CDR.)
Click to expand...

I though all CDs are sensible for fungus when humidity is high....
 
Libor said:
With or without Mount Rainier UDF ?
Click to expand...

Haven't had a chance to try Mount Rainier yet. By the time I found out
about it, I'd already gone with the Joliet, SE and .inf route.
I though all CDs are sensible for fungus when humidity is high....
Click to expand...

My understanding (from the original article, which no longer exists
online) was that the fungus was unique to CDRWs because they use a
different reflective material than CDRs.
 
: Libor Striz wrote:
: > John Corliss wrote:
: >
: >> Recently I completed a huge family photo archive project in which
: >> I'd scanned, edited and named over 2700 negatives and photographs
: >> dating back to the 1840s. Most of the names were quite long, yet still
: >> worked nicely as long as the files resided on my hard drive.
: >> My goal was to copy the archive onto three CDs and distribute
: >> copies of the CD sets to my cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles.
: >> However, when I tried (naively) to make UDF formatted CDRW discs, I
: >> discovered two things:
: >>
: >> 1. The format is VERY unreliable and my disc production failure rate
: >> was anywhere from 30 to 50%.
: >
: > With or without Mount Rainier UDF ?
:
: Haven't had a chance to try Mount Rainier yet. By the time I found out
: about it, I'd already gone with the Joliet, SE and .inf route.
:
: >> 2. Most of what I saw in both usenet and on the internet indicated
: >> that the CDRW media itself is somewhat volatile and not suitable for
: >> long term storage. One online article even described how they are
: >> suseptible to fungus!
: >>
: >> http://www.nature.com/nsu/010628/010628-11.html
: >
: >> (Note: this is not the article I read, but describes the fungus. The
: >> article I read mentioned that the problem is specific to CDRW but not
: >> CDR.)
: >
: > I though all CDs are sensible for fungus when humidity is high....
:
: My understanding (from the original article, which no longer exists
: online) was that the fungus was unique to CDRWs because they use a
: different reflective material than CDRs.
:
: --
: Regards from John Corliss
: alt.comp.freeware F.A.Q.:
: http://www.ccountry.net/~jcorliss/F.A.Q./FrameSet1.html
:
Interesting bit of info. Thanks. I don't know what the problem with CD-RW
is, but they are definitely a PIA in comparison to CD-R, or perhaps it's the
CD-RW itself or the Roxio program. I've had lots of failures with Memorex
CD-RW and Roxio 5. At the Roxio site (Roxio is the program that came with
the CD_RW) they have an 'update' for ver.5 (which apparently has caused so
many problems) that the update is in effect, a taking back of something they
had included initially that presented problems and for which they neither
support nor distribute any longer. Everyone of them had to be formatted and
MANY (more than 50%) were not format-able. They had something already on
them! Some type of formatting? Anyway, after getting some from the package
formatted, it stated that they were ONLY readable by machines using
Direct-CD. All I can say is that regardless of the brand name, I've had no
problem with the CD-R's but the CD-RW's are definitely NOT ready for prime
time! But when they work, they can contain more info than the CD-R's.
What a trip! I'm beginning to wonder if the CD-RW hardware itself isn't
malfunctioning! This coming week-end, I'll take the case off, yank it out,
and have a look, because something's not right! Sometimes it will NOT turn
loose of the CD! I have to shut the power off to get the danged ejection
button to operate! Every time my machine has 'hung-up' it has been
connected with the CD-RW! I've had it with CD-RWs for awhile! BTW, it's
extremely humid here 99.9999999999999% of the time, so I can just imagine
the microscopic thingies growing inside my machine...LOL! If fungi are on
CD-RW's and humidity worsens them, this machine is in need of a 911 call.
GEEZ! If true, it's a wonder this thing's running at all.

Helen
 
imagine the microscopic thingies growing inside my machine...LOL! If
fungi are on CD-RW's and humidity worsens them, this machine is in
need of a 911 call. GEEZ! If true, it's a wonder this thing's
running at all.

Helen
Click to expand...

Had to go to a large steel foundry to take an "internal audit" some years
ago! ( Yeah! I know! Shit job, but somebody had to do it - 486's everywhere)
You can imagine the iron filings? The pc's were *covered* in them.
On opening the casings - "Gasp - Horror", there was an 1/2 inch of iron
filing dust all over everything. Mobo, HD, PS *everything*.
Should these things have been working? No bleedin' way!
Not wanting to disturb anything, I tried to check what I had to check;
failed, and put the casing *very gently* back on!
These things hadn't been switched off in 7 years, who was I to try?
:)
Bryan
Still ducking, still covering my arse!
:)

<snips u/s sig>
 
: : > : >> Libor Striz wrote:
: >>> John Corliss wrote:
: >>>
: >>>> Recently I completed a huge family photo archive project in which
:
: <Mucho biggo snippo>
:
: > imagine the microscopic thingies growing inside my machine...LOL! If
: > fungi are on CD-RW's and humidity worsens them, this machine is in
: > need of a 911 call. GEEZ! If true, it's a wonder this thing's
: > running at all.
: >
: > Helen
: >
:
: Had to go to a large steel foundry to take an "internal audit" some years
: ago! ( Yeah! I know! Shit job, but somebody had to do it - 486's
everywhere)
: You can imagine the iron filings? The pc's were *covered* in them.
: On opening the casings - "Gasp - Horror", there was an 1/2 inch of iron
: filing dust all over everything. Mobo, HD, PS *everything*.
: Should these things have been working? No bleedin' way!
: Not wanting to disturb anything, I tried to check what I had to check;
: failed, and put the casing *very gently* back on!
: These things hadn't been switched off in 7 years, who was I to try?
: :)
: Bryan
: Still ducking, still covering my arse!
: :)
:
: <snips u/s sig>

Zing! CRASH! You ducked just in time! LOL!
Thanks for the laugh.

Helen
 
Helen said:
John Corliss wrote:
: Libor Striz wrote:
: > John Corliss wrote:
: >
: >> Recently I completed a huge family photo archive project in which
: >> I'd scanned, edited and named over 2700 negatives and photographs
: >> dating back to the 1840s. Most of the names were quite long, yet still
: >> worked nicely as long as the files resided on my hard drive.
: >> My goal was to copy the archive onto three CDs and distribute
: >> copies of the CD sets to my cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles.
: >> However, when I tried (naively) to make UDF formatted CDRW discs, I
: >> discovered two things:
: >>
: >> 1. The format is VERY unreliable and my disc production failure rate
: >> was anywhere from 30 to 50%. (clipped)
:
Interesting bit of info. Thanks. I don't know what the problem with CD-RW
is, but they are definitely a PIA in comparison to CD-R, or perhaps it's the
CD-RW itself or the Roxio program. I've had lots of failures with Memorex
CD-RW and Roxio 5. At the Roxio site (Roxio is the program that came with
the CD_RW) they have an 'update' for ver.5 (which apparently has caused so
many problems) that the update is in effect, a taking back of something they
had included initially that presented problems and for which they neither
support nor distribute any longer. Everyone of them had to be formatted and
MANY (more than 50%) were not format-able. They had something already on
them! Some type of formatting? Anyway, after getting some from the package
formatted, it stated that they were ONLY readable by machines using
Direct-CD. All I can say is that regardless of the brand name, I've had no
problem with the CD-R's but the CD-RW's are definitely NOT ready for prime
time! But when they work, they can contain more info than the CD-R's.
What a trip! I'm beginning to wonder if the CD-RW hardware itself isn't
malfunctioning! This coming week-end, I'll take the case off, yank it out,
and have a look, because something's not right! Sometimes it will NOT turn
loose of the CD! I have to shut the power off to get the danged ejection
button to operate! Every time my machine has 'hung-up' it has been
connected with the CD-RW! I've had it with CD-RWs for awhile! BTW, it's
extremely humid here 99.9999999999999% of the time, so I can just imagine
the microscopic thingies growing inside my machine...LOL! If fungi are on
CD-RW's and humidity worsens them, this machine is in need of a 911 call.
GEEZ! If true, it's a wonder this thing's running at all.
Click to expand...

Helen, dont bother taking your computer apart. Your experiences are
identical to mine with the exception that I had the most success with
Memorex brand CDRWs. Also, you can always get more data on an
unformated CD. But the hangups and the other stuff are all what
happened to me. The upgrade you mention helped some, but was too
little too late. I had thought that the problem might be related to
the master-slave configuration of my drives, but that simply was not
the case. It most likely is a media problem. In that newsgroup I
mentioned, they call Roxio "Easy Coaster Creator", but that may not be
fair. Still, it's too easy to find freeware with the same feature sets
for burning ISO 9600 and Joliet.
The freeware programs I mentioned previously were the solution for
my needs. Also, I no longer buy CDRW blanks. It's too much cheaper to
buy a spindle of 50 or more blank CDRs and there is too much good
freeware out there for burning them.
 
Helen said:
All I can say is that regardless of the brand name, I've had no
problem with the CD-R's but the CD-RW's are definitely NOT ready for prime
time! But when they work, they can contain more info than the CD-R's.
Click to expand...

The formatting for packet writing requires about 50 MB of the space on
the CD - much more than read-only formatting - so actually they hold
less. (More information is needed to be able to erase *part* of a disk -
the TOC only has to know where a file starts with other formats.)

I've had fairly good luck with CD-RWs (but no luck at all with packet
writing). I use CD-RWs the same way I use read-only CDs - and do a quick
erase when I want to rewrite them (quick erase only takes a minute or
two).

FYI - the CD Recordable FAQ is a great source of information - and has
pointers to its newsgroups.

http://www.cdrfaq.org/

Susan
 
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