Non Finalised CD question.

[FourWheelDrift]

I have some CD's which had information written to them using Adaptec's Easy CD creator (old version though). They were never finalised though.

I no longer use Adaptec anymore (use Nero and Alcohol instead now to burn CD's) but I cannot view any of the information on the old CD's and since I am running XP I cannot install the version of Easy CD creator/Direct CD as it's not compatible with XP (so Adaptec's site says anyhow).

Any suggestions as to how I can get the data off the CD's or to finalise them without going out and buying the latest version of Adaptec EasyCD creator just for the sake of 4 CD's?

[miniman]

I always thought that the problem with reading non-finalised disks occurred when trying to read them in older non-multisession compatible drives. I have found that laptop drives seem to read pretty much anything - I've certainly been able to read disks that haven't been finalised with mine.

What happens when you try to browse the disk in Windows Explorer???

[.Mark]

If you up your Alcohol usage enough you won't be able to read any CD's, I usually try this on a Friday night and generally have a very plesant time.

Sorry - stupid post but could not resist.

[Don]

I always thought that it was just some drives that couldn't read non-finalised CDs...????

If you get totally stuck you can always post them to me and I will either finalise them or copy the contents to new, finalised CDs for you...

But I think it shouldn't be that hard...just find any box on your LAN with a drive that'll read the CDs...

[FourWheelDrift]

I'll try my laptop, I'm all on XP here (home network).

[malman]

Sounds like they were written with the direct CD packet writing software. If they weren't finalised they don't have a table of contents that can be read by a machine without the packet software on. I thought XP came preloaded with packet read software (not compatible with the older packet stuff ? anyone ?)

If they were written as standard multisession disks then they should read in any multi session drive which should be anything from 2 x speed up. I did come across a really old 4 x speed at a customers the other day that didn't do multi session

Find someone with a 95/98 and a writer and put old version on their machine. Finalise then remove


>> Edited by malman on Saturday 5th July 09:37

[FourWheelDrift]

malman said:

Sounds like they were written with the direct CD packet writing software. If they weren't finalised they don't have a table of contents that can be read by a machine without the packet software on. I thought XP came preloaded with packet read software (not compatible with the older packet stuff ? anyone ?) If they were written as standard multisession disks then they should read in any multi session drive which should be anything from 2 x speed up. I did come across a really old 4 x speed at a customers the other day that didn't do multi session Find someone with a 95/98 and a writer and put old version on their machine. Finalise then remove >> Edited by malman on Saturday 5th July 09:37

Think that'll be my option. Thanks.

[arcturus]

Don't know if you have managed to recover your data yet, but I use ISO Buster to recover data from recalcitrant CD-R's. If there is data on the disc, ISO Buster will find it whatever the format and irrespective of whether the session or disc has been closed or left open.

Web site is www.smart-projects.net/isobuster/

Costs £14 ish to register fully functioning version, but it has got me out of a hole recently. You can use it to see if your data is recoverable before you pay.

Dave Clarke
www.arctsys.co.uk

>> Edited by arcturus on Tuesday 8th July 12:52

[FourWheelDrift]

arcturus said:

Don't know if you have managed to recover your data yet, but I use ISO Buster to recover data from recalcitrant CD-R's. If there is data on the disc, ISO Buster will find it whatever the format and irrespective of whether the session or disc has been closed or left open. Web site is www.smart-projects.net/isobuster/ Costs £14 ish to register fully functioning version, but it has got me out of a hole recently. You can use it to see if your data is recoverable before you pay. Dave Clarke www.arctsys.co.uk >> Edited by arcturus on Tuesday 8th July 12:52

Thanks Dave

That was an excellent suggestion and worked like a treat.

Many thanks


I've emailed you a beer, enjoy it