RW CDs

[krtxmrtz]

I recently burned a RW CD but then was surprised to see I could only read it in some computers. Is this a limitation of RWs?

[si_the_geek]

yep.. not all computers have the drivers for CDRW's.

more recent CDRW writer software puts drivers onto the CD in a standard form so that it can be read from any drive, but it means you cant write to them using other CDRW software. if you like that idea, you can probably download a patch for the writer software at their web site.

[VisionIT]

Originally posted by si_the_geek
yep.. not all computers have the drivers for CDRW's.

Thank god you're only the moderator for the code vault!

It depends on the firmware of the CD/RW&ROM. Some outdated firmware's stuggle to accept newer formats of CD... so if you burnt it in DAO, and the other drive doesn't support DAO access, you could see problems. Updating the firmware from the manufacture usually helps... but be sure to follow their instructions EXACTLY or you'll ruin the drive.

Computers don't have 'drivers' for any CD device! You have drivers for the device it's attached too, but that wouldn't restrict the use of CD/RW disks! A faulty ASPI layer can cause some wierd problems, but usually at burn rather than at destination.

Keep a watch of the speed of drive you are using it in as well... from what I gather, it's usually 32x and below that tend not to support CDRW disks. If you want a more reliable burn, write at a lower speed. This will burn deeper into the CD and therefore last much longer. A fast burn will simply skim over the disc, and is far more likely to skip in older drives.

Hope this helps.

[plenderj]

Firmware's a sort of driver - so yeah, some CDRWs don't have the proper firmware/driver.

[VisionIT]

Originally posted by plenderj
so yeah, some CDRWs don't have the proper firmware/driver.

Yeah.... the CDRWs don't have proper drivers! Nothing to do with the PC.

[plenderj]

Originally posted by VisionIT
Yeah.... the CDRWs don't have proper drivers! Nothing to do with the PC.

But the CDRW is part of the PC once its fitted

[VisionIT]

Ha ir

[krtxmrtz]

Originally posted by VisionIT
Computers don't have 'drivers' for any CD device!

Does that mean I could have trouble with CD-R disks too?

[VisionIT]

Nope. All drives are capable of reading CDR's!

When you buy any device like a modem etc... it always comes with a CDR or floppy (much to Kasracers disgust! ).

[si_the_geek]

Originally posted by VisionIT
Ha ir

shouldn't that be "ha irs" or "ha ir ha ir"?


I agree with what you say about the firmware (I reckon it would be the best method if it is an option), but what I said still holds true.

I have seen writing software (I think it was Adaptec, but I'm not sure) that writes some software to CDRW's (basically 'drivers' etc), which is written in a method that allows all CD-ROM drives to read it, and that software somehow allows read only access to the rest of the disc.

I have used it myself to read on old CD-ROM drives that don't support CD-RW's, and dont have any firmware updates to allow it.

I'm not a hardware guy, but I know what worked for me

[VisionIT]

Originally posted by si_the_geek


shouldn't that be "ha irs" or "ha ir ha ir"?

Heh... I wondered how many would pick up on that! You're just as batty as I am!

[parksie]

Difference between packet writing (UDF) and actually burning an iso9660 compatible data stream.

If the former, then yes, you need to be able to read UDF, this is what the "extra drivers" are. If it's iso9660, as in the same format as a CD-R or pressed CD, only a hardware inability to distinguish the pits and flats should affect reading.