Troubleshoot writing to CD

[Guest]

When I have selected too much information to put on a CD-R, unknowingly, at
the end of a writing session, it very quickly throws out the files that
didn't fit. They are usually files within files within . . . . . . So I
have no idea what's missing.
1. Is there anyway to get a report of what didn't fit?
2. Is there anyway to make it copy the files in a certain order (say the
order they are listed in the temporary file) so I know where to start looking
to see where it left off? It seems to hop scotch around.
3. Can you select only some of the files in the temporary folder to try
again, or do you have to delete everything and start copying again by scratch?

P.S. I am trying to manually backup my files and it is taking many, many CDs.

 

[Doug Kanter]

When I have selected too much information to put on a CD-R, unknowingly,
at
the end of a writing session, it very quickly throws out the files that
didn't fit. They are usually files within files within . . . . . . So I
have no idea what's missing.
1. Is there anyway to get a report of what didn't fit?
2. Is there anyway to make it copy the files in a certain order (say the
order they are listed in the temporary file) so I know where to start
looking
to see where it left off? It seems to hop scotch around.
3. Can you select only some of the files in the temporary folder to try
again, or do you have to delete everything and start copying again by
scratch?

P.S. I am trying to manually backup my files and it is taking many, many
CDs.

The best way would be to invest in backup software that will keep track of
the files copied so far, and prompt you for another CD. Reviews of such
software can be found at:
www.pcmagazine.com
www.pcworld.com
and maybe:
www.cnet.com

 

[Guest]

Yes I know, but this did not answer my questions.

 

[Doug Kanter]

Stay tuned for a couple or four days. I'm having similar problems. I'll post
some solutions, if I don't hang myself first. :-(

 

[Mike Williams]

When I have selected too much information to put on a CD-R, unknowingly, at
the end of a writing session, it very quickly throws out the files that
didn't fit. They are usually files within files within . . . . . .

Files within folders within folders perhaps?

So I

have no idea what's missing.
1. Is there anyway to get a report of what didn't fit?

I don't believe so with XP's CD burning. You could get a DIR report of
what is in each and use something like Word to compare versions.

2. Is there anyway to make it copy the files in a certain order (say the
order they are listed in the temporary file) so I know where to start looking
to see where it left off? It seems to hop scotch around.

I really doubt it. Advance preparation (checking total fize) would be a
cheaper solution.

3. Can you select only some of the files in the temporary folder to try
again, or do you have to delete everything and start copying again by scratch?

No, it just works off whatever is there at burn time.

P.S. I am trying to manually backup my files and it is taking many, many CDs.

If you are going to tackle this manually then I'd advise planning it out
by looking at top-level folder sizes, and then shuffling them around to
fit in 700MB blocks.

Otherwise if it's a continuing time sink, then it may be cheaper to just
invest in a DVD burner. My current laptop has a dual-layer, and as
expensive at the blanks are, it's wonderful being able to pour 8GB onto
a single DVD in one operation.

 

[Guest]

What's a DIR report? Going back and forth between files is making me dizzy.

That's too bad that it can't at least give you a report on the screen of
what didn't fit. It flashes them real fast in the little burner panel.

I have found that what the computer says the file size is, is not always
true. My CD-RW are 702 MB. I try to leave extra space by copying only 600 -
625 MB to the temporary folder. But after it's done copying them 1/2 of the
files were thrown out because it was too big.

I just compressed my disc drive, will that help at all?

 

[Doug Kanter]

What's a DIR report? Going back and forth between files is making me
dizzy.

That's too bad that it can't at least give you a report on the screen of
what didn't fit. It flashes them real fast in the little burner panel.

Even if you found way to deal with your current crop of files, the problem
will be a constantly changing one as new files are created, so you'll have
the same headaches during the next backup. As I mentioned to you earlier,
the best way to deal with this issue is to purchase backup software, which
will automatically deal with the issue and tell you when to put in the next
CD.

 

[Guest]

I take it a DIR report has nothing to do with which files are being discarded
when too much data is being transfered to a CD. I'm not going to buy a
backup program at this time because hopefully next year we will be getting a
new computer equipped the Windows XP Pro. This comes with a back up program
installed on the computer. Thanks anyway. I'll go back to my rewritable CDs
so that if not everything fits, I can delete all information and pick a new
list with one less file in it.

 

[Doug Kanter]

XP Pro comes with a lousy backup program. Get a real one. Seriously.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I take it a DIR report has nothing to do with which files are being
discarded when too much data is being transfered to a CD. I'm not
going to buy a backup program at this time because hopefully next
year we will be getting a new computer equipped the Windows XP Pro.
This comes with a back up program installed on the computer.

Two points:

1. The backup program that comes with XP Professional also comes with XP
Home. It's just not installed by default. If you have the complete XP Home
CD, find backup on the CD, in \ValueAdd\MSFT\NTBACKUP and install it
yourself by doubleclicking the file ntbackup.msi.

If you don't have an XP CD, you can download ntbackup.msi at
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi Also see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302894

2. As backup programs go, this is probably the poorest one available. You
would do much better buying almost any of the available third-party backup
programs. I like Acronis True Image.

If you need XP Professional because you need some of its features that don't
come with XP Home, by all means buy it. But if you were planning on getting
Professional just for the backup program, save the money and get Home
instead. Use the saved money to buy Acronis True Image or some similiar
choice.

 

[Doug Kanter]

I like Acronis True Image.

Ken, does that software do the following?

1) Allow user to choose an assortment of folders or individual files (not an
entire drive image), and save it as a "job" so the items don't need to be
manually selected each time?

2) Do incremental backups based on what's changed in those folders?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken, does that software do the following?

I need to tell you that I am a brand new user of True Image and am not the
best source of information on it. I very much like what I've seen it of so
far, but I don't pretend to be an expert on it. I'll answer your questions
as best I can, but waiting for an answer by someone else with more
experience with it than I have would be prudent.

1) Allow user to choose an assortment of folders or individual files
(not an entire drive image), and save it as a "job" so the items
don't need to be manually selected each time?

Yes (AFAIK).

2) Do incremental backups based on what's changed in those folders?

Yes (AFAIK).

 

[Doug Kanter]

Rant time: Ten years ago, Seagate marketed a fantastic product called Backup
Exec. Worked perfectly, totally customizable, and it would back up to any
media you wanted (tape, floppies, another HD). Hell...it would back up your
files into your hat if you wanted. The product was sold to Symantec, which
made a few minor visual improvements. They licensed a pathetic abbreviated
version to Microsoft. That may still be what comes with XP - I'm afraid to
look.

Symantec sold the software to a company called Veritas. Recently, they
reabsorbed the product (and maybe Veritas, the company), and eliminated the
version that was priced for SOHO users. Now, backup software vendors mention
nothing about incremental capabilities. They advertise using only the
current buzzwords they think appeal to small users. "Image", etc. If you
create an entire disk image, you're protected against just one kind of
disaster, but the fact is, most users need to back up a few folders on a
regular basis, not the entire disk image.

I'm done ranting.

 

[Rock]

Rant time: Ten years ago, Seagate marketed a fantastic product called Backup
Exec. Worked perfectly, totally customizable, and it would back up to any
media you wanted (tape, floppies, another HD). Hell...it would back up your
files into your hat if you wanted. The product was sold to Symantec, which
made a few minor visual improvements. They licensed a pathetic abbreviated
version to Microsoft. That may still be what comes with XP - I'm afraid to
look.

Symantec sold the software to a company called Veritas. Recently, they
reabsorbed the product (and maybe Veritas, the company), and eliminated the
version that was priced for SOHO users. Now, backup software vendors mention
nothing about incremental capabilities. They advertise using only the
current buzzwords they think appeal to small users. "Image", etc. If you
create an entire disk image, you're protected against just one kind of
disaster, but the fact is, most users need to back up a few folders on a
regular basis, not the entire disk image.

I'm done ranting.

There are still some offerings similar to Seagate's and Veritas'
versions from Stompsoft and Sonic.

 

[Doug Kanter]

There are still some offerings similar to Seagate's and Veritas' versions
from Stompsoft and Sonic.

Thanks for the brands - good targets for shopping research.

 

[Rock]

Doug Kanter wrote:

Thanks for the brands - good targets for shopping research.

You're welcome.