It is unfortunate that packet writing is so flaky. I recall the first time I
lost data on a Direct CD formatted disk what a PITA. I've also found that
packet writing software used to cause system instability at times so I don't
use it either.
The 2 main reasons for problems with packet formatted discs are
1) over using rewriteable media. While CD-R/W are purported to be writeable
1000 times one must understand what happens with packet writing. Each time a
file is written to, modified and rewritten or deleted from a packet
formatted disc the TOC (Table of Contents) changes and must be rewritten.
The TOC is located in one area of a CD-R/W. Even a slight change to the disc
causes one small area of the CD-R/W to be rewritten to again and again. It
really doesn't take long before that area has been written to hundreds of
times even though it might seem that it has hardly been used.
2) improper ejection of discs or bad shutdown. As mentioned above the TOC is
changed each time a packet formatted disc is worked with. Packet writing
software like InCD stores some information in a virtual cache and only
writes that data to the disc when it is ejected. If you use Packet Writing
software you can see this yourself. Just press the eject button or use the
software eject option and you'll see the CD Writer burning indicator light
flash a couple of times before the disc is ejected. If this data is not
written to the disc the system finds an unreadable TOC. No Table of Contents
and there is no way for windows to find any data on the disc. Always eject
packet formatted discs before shutting down and one should use the software
eject option rather than the drive eject button. Sometimes a system lockup
occurs and you are forced to do a hard reboot. This can result in the vcache
data not being written and cause an unreadable disc
I learned that if one must use packet formatting then you should only use a
CD-R/W for a limited time before copying the data to CD-R. You should also
invest in recovery software that can read raw data from the disc. ISOBuster
can do this as can CD-R Diagnostics.
.--
Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
| It appears that reading isn't your strong point. He's talking about
| shutdown and CD problems when InCd is installed, why is that difficult to
| understand?
|
| InCd is or at least use to be a very 'buggy' program for many and may be
| still for all I know as I gave up on it several years ago. The whole
raison
| d'etre for the program is flawed as it writes unreliable media (CD
problems:
| this is well documented and is not a matter for debate) and it often
causes
| start up problems in many systems, including mine due to the way it is
| integrated into the OS. I am sure there are many who are satisfied with
| InCd, I use to be but now have a little more experience of the potential
| problems it causes once installed. When you have lost irreplaceable data
| from a CDRW recorded using InCd or any of its sister programs, you may
also
| not be so enamoured with fixed length packet writing and the UDF format.
| There is little advantage gained by using erasable CDs as large floppies
but
| there sure is much to be lost.
|
|
| | > What problems? Did you post regarding a problem with shutdown? I don't
| > have a clue what you're talking about.
| >
| > | >> I got rid of InCD and that cured all my shutdown and CD problems.
| >>
| >> --
| >> Darrell
| >>
| >> My email: (e-mail address removed)
| >> My web site:
www.darrellbassett.com
| >>
| >>
| >
| >
|
|