direct CD

G

Guest

My boss just gave me a CD-RW that he "formatted". He says you should never
burn to a cd but should format them instead and copy files to the cd. The
files on this cd are readable, changeable, and can be saved with any changes
but it does not look like anything was "burned" to the CD-no makings on the
back of the cd. If I try to "burn" files to this formatted cd it will not
give me an option to "burn" (the usual files are ready to copy in your
taskbar). When you open the cd a program called Direct CD tells me I can use
this cd to write and read files. If I copy a file to this cd again, it does
not overwrite the original but makes a copy of the file. Has anyone ever
heard of this way of formatting a cd and copying files to it instead of
burning?
 
H

Harry Ohrn

Your boss is not correct when he says "you should never...." Direct CD uses
the UDF format to write to files. The reason you can't see any markings is
likely due to the disc being filled at least once and then erased. However
files were certainly burned to the disc. How else could they be saved there?

Programs like Direct CD might simplify the saving process but are not
without problems. One big problem has to do with these discs not being
readable in other computers unless they are finalized first or the other
system also has packet writing software or reader installed. Do a search on
Google for packet writing software.
 
L

Larbowlin

My boss just gave me a CD-RW that he "formatted". He says you should never
burn to a cd but should format them instead and copy files to the cd. The
files on this cd are readable, changeable, and can be saved with any changes
but it does not look like anything was "burned" to the CD-no makings on the
back of the cd. If I try to "burn" files to this formatted cd it will not
give me an option to "burn" (the usual files are ready to copy in your
taskbar). When you open the cd a program called Direct CD tells me I can use
this cd to write and read files. If I copy a file to this cd again, it does
not overwrite the original but makes a copy of the file. Has anyone ever
heard of this way of formatting a cd and copying files to it instead of
burning?
Click to expand...
UDF formatting /packet writing software allows the user to utilize the
CD/CDRW as a large floppy, through explorer etc. However the user(s)
should have on their machine(s) either the original program or the
relevant UDF reader. Also those knowledgeable in the field suggest
longevity and reliability problems.
HTH
Larbowlin
 
G

Guest

So if I do not have a UDF program (like direct CD) on another computer I will
not be able to read this CD...sounds like burning is better and more reliable
 
L

Larbowlin

So if I do not have a UDF program (like direct CD) on another computer I will
not be able to read this CD...sounds like burning is better and more reliable
Click to expand...

I certainly would agree. I do not let my users to packet write for
backup/Disaster recovery or archive purposes. I hope persuading your
boss to do likewise will be easy :)
Larbowlin
 
G

Guest

He is quite opinionated and probably won't change his ways but I have learned
a lot and will use if for myself and others here in the office..Thank you for
this helpfull information.
 
L

Larbowlin

He is quite opinionated and probably won't change his ways but I have learned
a lot and will use if for myself and others here in the office..Thank you for
this helpfull information.
Click to expand...

You are welcome,
Larbowlin
 
H

Harry Ohrn

If the disc is finalized (sometimes called closed) then it will be readable
on other systems. Typically Direct CD will ask if you want to do this when
you eject the disc. Or if the other system has a UDF Reader installed then
it should be able to read unfinalized discs. Windows 2000/XP have native UDF
reading abilities however that ability often does not work with discs
formatted by early version of Direct CD (or the earlier versions of other
such programs like InCD, DLA, Packet-CD, prassi abcd, etc.) Bottom line is
if you use Direct CD you should ensure you have a UDF Reader installed on
other systems that might be reading the disc. a UDF Reader is free software
and can be readily found through a google search.

Packet writing, which is what the burning process used with the UDF format
is often called. is easy and the benefit is that one can readily save to,
re-write, delete and manage files on a CD or DVD just like using a giant
floppy the down size is that these discs often become corrupted. For that
reason you should invest in software that can read from damaged discs. Here
are three such programs that I keep in my tool kit
ISOBuster http://www.isobuster.com/
CD/DVD Diagnostics
http://www.fraudaid.com/security_products/categories/cd-dvd-hard_drives/cd-dvd_diagnostic_cd.htm
MultiData Rescue http://www.naltech.com/

To minimize the reality that a packet formatted disc will become corrupted
you may want to follow these recommendations
1) Always eject a packet formatted disc before shutting down your computer.
Some of the data about the burn is stored in memory, or VFAT, and is only
written when the disc is ejected. If this data doesn't get written then the
disc can become unreadable.
2) Always use the soft eject feature of the program or right click the Drive
icon and select "eject" rather than simply pausing the eject button. The
reason for this has to do with the data stored in the VFAT. In many cases
using the eject button is fine if the program (Direct CD) has time to
complete writing that small bit of data to the drive. However if the disc is
ejected before the data is written then the disc could well be totally
unreadable. Improper ejection is a leading cause if damage to Direct CD or
packet writing discs. If a system crashes, requires a hard reboot or you
have a power outage then the data in the VFAT doesn't get written.
3) Always use quality CD-R/W or DVDRW discs. While Direct CD can format and
write to regular CD-R and DVD+/-R these tend to become unstable very
quickly.
4) Do not over use a CD-R/W or DVD/RW. When using packet writing there are
many more rewrites to the TOC than with ISO/Joliet format which reduces the
rewrite lifespan of the media. For the same reason do not be continually
finalizing and re-finalizing a packet format CD.
 
R

Rock

Old said:
So if I do not have a UDF program (like direct CD) on another computer I will
not be able to read this CD...sounds like burning is better and more reliable
Click to expand...

You are confusing things here. The only way to get data on a CD is to
"burn" it. What differs is in how that's done which affects whether it
can be read on another system and what software is needed on that system
to read it.

Burning CDs in Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm
 
G

Guest

Thank You..I wil checkout the links you provided
--
Old Bob


Harry Ohrn said:
If the disc is finalized (sometimes called closed) then it will be readable
on other systems. Typically Direct CD will ask if you want to do this when
you eject the disc. Or if the other system has a UDF Reader installed then
it should be able to read unfinalized discs. Windows 2000/XP have native UDF
reading abilities however that ability often does not work with discs
formatted by early version of Direct CD (or the earlier versions of other
such programs like InCD, DLA, Packet-CD, prassi abcd, etc.) Bottom line is
if you use Direct CD you should ensure you have a UDF Reader installed on
other systems that might be reading the disc. a UDF Reader is free software
and can be readily found through a google search.

Packet writing, which is what the burning process used with the UDF format
is often called. is easy and the benefit is that one can readily save to,
re-write, delete and manage files on a CD or DVD just like using a giant
floppy the down size is that these discs often become corrupted. For that
reason you should invest in software that can read from damaged discs. Here
are three such programs that I keep in my tool kit
ISOBuster http://www.isobuster.com/
CD/DVD Diagnostics
http://www.fraudaid.com/security_products/categories/cd-dvd-hard_drives/cd-dvd_diagnostic_cd.htm
MultiData Rescue http://www.naltech.com/

To minimize the reality that a packet formatted disc will become corrupted
you may want to follow these recommendations
1) Always eject a packet formatted disc before shutting down your computer.
Some of the data about the burn is stored in memory, or VFAT, and is only
written when the disc is ejected. If this data doesn't get written then the
disc can become unreadable.
2) Always use the soft eject feature of the program or right click the Drive
icon and select "eject" rather than simply pausing the eject button. The
reason for this has to do with the data stored in the VFAT. In many cases
using the eject button is fine if the program (Direct CD) has time to
complete writing that small bit of data to the drive. However if the disc is
ejected before the data is written then the disc could well be totally
unreadable. Improper ejection is a leading cause if damage to Direct CD or
packet writing discs. If a system crashes, requires a hard reboot or you
have a power outage then the data in the VFAT doesn't get written.
3) Always use quality CD-R/W or DVDRW discs. While Direct CD can format and
write to regular CD-R and DVD+/-R these tend to become unstable very
quickly.
4) Do not over use a CD-R/W or DVD/RW. When using packet writing there are
many more rewrites to the TOC than with ISO/Joliet format which reduces the
rewrite lifespan of the media. For the same reason do not be continually
finalizing and re-finalizing a packet format CD.
--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
Click to expand...
 
P

Plato

Harry said:
Hi Ed. I don't think it was me as I can't recall signing up for that board.
However it does look like a good place to hang out. Maybe I'll see you there
sometime. Take care.
Click to expand...

I'm not a user of that board either. He's a partner of mine, and I was
just there to see how the site was doing. I guess it's a different Harry
O. Personally, I dont do any website forums.
 
G

Guest

Harry Ohrn said:
4) Do not over use a CD-R/W or DVD/RW. When using packet writing there are
many more rewrites to the TOC than with ISO/Joliet format which reduces the
rewrite lifespan of the media. For the same reason do not be continually
finalizing and re-finalizing a packet format CD.
Click to expand...

What constitutes "over use" of a CD-R/W?

The info you've provided is EXTREMELY HELPFUL!
 

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