CD burning process - under the covers - disc image, stash file, etc.

[Jim Lewandowski]

I've been doing some experimenting before committing how to configure my 2 hard drives and
2 optical drives.

I'm testing this by using the following:

FILEMON from Sysinternals.com (to trace each file I/O request)
Admin tools - Performance - System Monitor to see activity to my C: and D: drives (logical
drives, 1 physical HD)

***
Right click on my F: drive, Properties - RECORDING tab, I have D: selected as the place to
store the disc image file prior to physically burning the CD.
***

So, in Windows Explorer, I copy a single folder from my C: drive to the F: (DVD-RW) drive.
Then I open the F: drive and click "write these files to CD" to initiate the burn process.


System Performance monitor shows ZERO I/Os to my D: drive even though I have specified it
above as the staging area for the F: drive. Not a one. 100% idle the WHOLE time (refresh
rate for the SM screen is approx. 1 second).

Filemon shows the C:\Documents and Settings\Jim Lewandowski\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\CD Burning folder I/Os (read) being copied to:

c:\WINDOWS\Temp\funkyname.TMP with different names throught the complete burn process.

So, why is Windows XP NOT honoring my desire to have my D: drive be the staging area?

I also tested using Veritas (Sonic?) RecordNow and it also DID NOT USE MY D: DRIVE. I
assume RecordNow AND Windows XP do NOT do packet-writing to CDs but the "native" process
as I've read but there are 2 pieces of third-party software that will do packet-writing
(Nero and someone else). IOW, from what I read, packet-writing would allow one to write
directly to the CD withOUT having to create a staging area/disc image on the hard disc
from which to use for the eventual CD image.

JL

 

[Guest]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03september16.mspx
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.php
Investigate the above links for more insight..
j;-j

 

[Jim Lewandowski]

The issue is that the staging area/stash file does not work as advertised. It seems to be
on C: drive EVEN THOUGH the registry clearly has "D:\CD BURNING STASH FILE.bin".

I've read everything I can find in newsgroups and the internet and noone seems to have
delved into actually TRACING the CD burning process.

JL

 

[Guest]

Jim,
The default CD burning folder is always in the C:\Documents and
Settings\"your name"\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning
(folder), unless you change it to another location.. To do this you should
use Tweak UI , it's an XP PowerToy found here..
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Once in the tool, click on "my computer" and drop down to "spacial folders",
use the change button.. If you didn't use the MS PowerToy to start with then
you may need to contact Sysinternals.com for assistance, if their tool did
not work as advertised..
If you use a third party burning app then the point is moot, you really
won't need the XP CD burning folder anyway.. XP does not natively burn DVD's
with it's inbuilt CD Wiz..
To use a third party burning app of your choice you would need to disable
the inbuilt XP CD burning capabilities as they can conflict with one another
and or cause problems..
Sorry, if I'm misunderstanding you, feel free to repost your query..
j;-j

 

[Jim Lewandowski]

Jim,
The default CD burning folder is always in the C:\Documents and
Settings\"your name"\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning
(folder), unless you change it to another location.. To do this you should
use Tweak UI , it's an XP PowerToy found here..
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

***
Correct. That's the directory that holds the files/folders that will be burned (are ARE
being burned).

The "staging area" (of "stash" file) alluded to by the PROPERTIES/RECORDING tab for a
writable optical drive is where the complete, contiguous disc image resides and is
prepared BEFORE the CD is burnt. This is my concern; I have D: specified but it is using
C:\WINDOWS\Temp. I haven't seen anyone anywhere on the internet address this issue. I'd
like it on D for performance reasons.

IOW, the CD BURNING folder is copied in totality to a contiguous disc image file. It is
from this LATTER file that the CD burn actuall proceeds.

JL

 

[Guest]

Jim,
Yes, I see.. It has been since SP1 that I even bothered with the recording
tab, this feature you mention is used in conjunction with the Inbuilt CD
Wiz.. I have it turned off and use Nero 5.5, it creates an ISO to any drive
using (a virtual device) the Nero Image recorder feature.. I suppose the
newer versions may have a lot more to offer, the version works great,
though.. Burns direct, on a 200GB HD the performance seems respectable,
though just one of several (cpu, ram, etc) factors to consider..
The XP CD Wiz was just a bit to limited and restrictive then, old news now,
somewhat antiquated for some. Your best bet is to shop around for a third
party burning app that suits you and your specific needs and
requirements..<my opinion>
There was an update for the XP inbuilt, see link(s) below
http://www.highmat.com/download/
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/May03/05-07HighMATSupportPR.mspx
Whatever floats the boat..
j;-j

 

[Jim Lewandowski]

I also have RecordNow which is what I usually use for backups (large ones vs. just burning
a CD with a few files). It also does NOT honor the staging area request (D. It uses an
application data folder on the C: drive.

It would be nice if they honored this so I could speed up my backup -> CD/DVD processes.

JL

 

[Guest]

Jim,
Have you updated your RecordNow software lately..?
http://support.sonic.com/desktop/downloads.asp?product=mydvd

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...all/proddocs/en-us/environment_variables.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds_shelloverview.mspx
Have you investigated these links, if not, see if they may apply with what
you ultimately want to accomplish..
Hope this can help..
j;-j