backup to CD-RW problems

[KK]

Hello,

My PC has 2 'users' , Jack & Jill, and in 'My Computer' I can find their
files in folders with names 'Jack's Documents' and 'Jill's Documents', also
'shared Documents'. I want to copy the the 3 folders to a CD-RW as backup.

I have no problem copying the first folder (using drag & drop) but when I
try to copy the second it seems to overwrite the first?

Any Idea what is going on ?

Thanks

KK

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Windows XP doesn't support drag and drop to CDs or DVDs. To do that, you
need packet writing software. That type of software is included in popular
CD/DVD recording suites like Nero or Roxio Easy Media Creator.

If you don't have packet writing software installed, you'll need to install
it. On the other hand, if you already have packet writing software installed
and you have a question about it, you're best bet is to contact the
program's technical support.

In general: You really don't want to use packet writing software for backing
up, since packet writing does not close the disc properly and so your backup
may be unreadable. Although it's awfully convenient to use, many people
eschew packet writing in favor of 'real' CD or DVD recording.

 

[Weatherlawyer]

My PC has 2 'users' , Jack & Jill, and in 'My Computer' I can find their
files in folders with names 'Jack's Documents' and 'Jill's Documents', also
'shared Documents'. I want to copy the the 3 folders to a CD-RW as backup.

I have no problem copying the first folder (using drag & drop) but when I
try to copy the second it seems to overwrite the first?

Any Idea what is going on ?

Nope, how about using a non-re-writable disk?

Of course as Admin there is nothing stopping you copying both data sets
to one file and transferring that is there?

 

[PopS]

....

In general: You really don't want to use packet writing
software for backing
up, since packet writing does not close the disc properly and
so your backup
may be unreadable. Although it's awfully convenient to use,
many people
eschew packet writing in favor of 'real' CD or DVD recording.

....

Could you clarify that a bit?
I know if I don't close out a disk it probably won't be
readable in another machine unless they have the same app, but it
will always be readable on the machine app that created it.
Right? Or wrong?
I can turn it off if I wish, but my Roxio always gives me the
status of the ejected disk and asks what I want to do; leave as
is, close, or close & not writable again. Isn't that pretty much
standard? Nero does about the same, but I like the Roxio better.
Or is there something larger picture wise that I'm missing?

Pop

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The Roxio user forums contain many discussion threads about the limitations
of packet writing software. That's where these issues first came to my
attention, so that's where I would send you for more information.

In general, with packet writing software, once you've ejected the disk there
is no guarantee that it will ever be readable on anything other than the
same configuration which recorded the disk.

 

[PopS]

The Roxio user forums contain many discussion threads about the
limitations
of packet writing software. That's where these issues first
came to my
attention, so that's where I would send you for more
information.

In general, with packet writing software, once you've ejected
the disk there
is no guarantee that it will ever be readable on anything other
than the
same configuration which recorded the disk.
--

Ahh, I see; and I am familiair with the Roxio forums, have been
for a long time.
What you say is true: It is that way so that the disc can be
written to again without overwriting or losing any of the
preceding data FOR THAT MACHINE SETUP. That's a big plus because
it means you can write sessions to the disc as often as you wish,
until it is full or nearly full, and not lose any data on it, as
long as it's ON THE SAME MACHINE SETUP. You do not have to write
all the data at once that way. Quite useful.
However, many, even most, other applications operate that
exact same way! That's why, when you eject the disc, they ask
you what you want to do:
-- leave as is for future writes, so you can add to it;
-- Close it, so it can be read on other computers. If you make
this disc writable again, you you'll lose all data on it.
-- Close it and protect it so it cannot be written to again.
These cannot be made readable again.

I believe there's another option but I don't recall it at this
moment.

Depending on the data type there will also be other options
possible, such as playing in a standard CD or DVD players, etc.,
but that's a different discussion.

What happens is, the user often blindly clicks the "don't show
again" Eject message, and forgets about having to close the CD or
DVD to move it easily to another machine.
That said, an "open" CD, in my experience, will still even be
fully readable in another machine using Roxio or any other app
that uses the same file structure in raw modes. So, the "trick"
is to remember to "Close" the disc when you're completely done
writing to it, whether it's a R or an RW.

HTH,
Pop