CD re-writer software

[Vic 970]

I have installed adaptec software which came with my new CD writer. There are 3 programs. 1 copies CD’s either audio or data. Another you can use as an additional drive (like a floppy) the other is a backup program called ‘Take Two’ I have used the first 2 programs successfully, but when I tried to back up my system with take two, first I got a message saying that it had detected an open file but was continuing anyway, then it got through 2 CD’s (as it had originally estimated) then said that it had been unable to close.
I put the CD’s into the drive to see what was on them but they just locked up the system, I un-installed the software and upon putting them in the drive again, it showed that they were empty (and no lock up) I re-installed the software but now the system locks up every time I put one of these CD’s into the drive.

I have also tried windows backup, but it won’t accept a (new, formatted RW disc, it just asks for a tape. Mind you this never worked well before if more than 3 or 4 floppies were needed, an error would be encountered and all was lost.)

As the software came with the re-writer neither manufacturer is offering any help.
Has anyone any experience of the software or any idea’s ???

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Vic

[bassvax]

Vic...I just bought the Adaptec Easy CD Creator software new in the box and installed it on my son's pc. We also use it at work (only the cd creator and Direct CD). I have not used (or even opened) the Take Two part at home yet so I cannot advise on it. The Direct CD portion that allows you to use it as a floppy and drag and drop files onto the disc...once you've formatted the disc I believe it can only be used for this purpose. If you put the disc into the drive and right click on the Direct CD icon in the systray you can adjust the properties of the disc/format/use. Have you tried using a new disc {CDRW} (without formatting it)in the Take Two program? I believe the Direct CD locks the disc when it thinks you are about to drag and drop some files onto it. Maybe the Adaptec site as a manual that you can download and read in the pdf format(Adobe Acrobat Reader). I don't have access to mine right now, but if you can't resolve this in a couple of days I will read up on it and try to post some help-Jerry

[rUzz]

I also use adaptec software, if you get a error while using easy CD creator don't throw the disk away. Use Direct CD to scan disk it. It will tell you the error and it can be formatted for use with Direct CD. Let it do it. It will first close the session, then remove the cd before it formats it for use with direct CD. You will be able to access all data burnt before error.
Remember that if there is alot of free space on the partition you are backing up it will have to copy that too.
Try NEO Burning ROM it has a great back up program.
CDR software works only as well as the CDR. If you are using your CDR to copy music you will have problems if the CDR itself doesn't contain error checking and control for music data. All CDRs contain error control for transfering data but not music data. You should check to see if your CDR supports this.
Also if you are using Easy Cd creator make sure Direct CD is not running in the system tray. Make sure that you have your auto-insert notification and DMA unchecked in the device manager for both your drives.
If you use direct CD make sure Easy CD creator is not running. Direct CD needs to have auto-insert notification and DMA checked.

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Stay alert, stay alive!

[This message has been edited by rUzz (edited 11-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by rUzz (edited 11-24-2000).]

[Reid]

Have you checked Adaptec's site and installed the updates? http://www.adaptec.com/support/overview/cdrec.html

You can download a time-limited demo of Nero from: http://www.ahead.de

I switched to Nero because of too many crashes and data losses with Adaptec.

If you want to run both, get the bootmenu from Nero because there is a conflict between Adaptec and Nero drivers.

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rdrummond@thesimpsons.com

[Vic 970]

Hi guys,
Thanks for your input. I have tried Direct CD to scan the discs but the same problem occurs, the system locks up and can only be recovered by a cold boot. Also I checked and found that Auto Insert was CHECKED and DMA was UN-checked, on both drives, so I un-checked them and restarted the computer. Only to get a message that the drives would not work properly with this setting, and prompted to re-set. Also I note that you say that they should both be checked for Direct CD. Which would mean re-setting them for each program that you use, yet I have successfully (I have binned a couple of discs!!) used both of these programs before on their current setting, only having particular problems with Take 2.
I bought the CD RW particularly for Packet Writing to save space on my hard drive (2 Gb.) and back up some of my larger data (in order to put off buying a new PC until I can afford.) and Direct CD seems to do this well (so far) the other programs are really a bonus, but I need to copy CD’s every once in a while. The only thing that I want Take 2 for is to back up the system (just in case) as all my backups are done on Floppies (and now on CD) so I think I would like to take your advice and try NERO, but I don’t want to run both, so I will un—install Adaptec whilst I try it. Is there a good Packet Writing program on Nero ?

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Vic

[rUzz]

I have had the same problem. Disk not repairable after a error has occurred and every time you insert the cd it locks up. I have thrown away more of my blank cd's than I have AOL disks I get in the mail. If it is a new CDR I would hound the manufacturer till I got what I needed. Did you know that some CDRs won't accept all CDR disks. I used to have this problem when I use memorex disks. They just wouldn't fly in my CDR. I talked to Acer and they sent me a list of supported CDR manufacturers. I don't have that problem anymore.

When I first bought my CDR(ACER) I had trouble for two weeks getting started. I hounded Acer to death via e-mail and support line. I compiled a CDR trouble shooter with all of the info they sent and told me. I know if you have Direct CD in your autoexec.bat and you boot up without auto insert notification it will prompt you to do so at start up. Therefore I took direct cd out of autoexec. I use easy Cd creator more than I use direct cd. Therefore I keep DMA and auto insert disabled. When I want to run direct cd I enable the settings.
I use NERO for back up only. I can say that it works great.
When you do a back up of your hard drive be sure that you have partitioned your HD. When you do a back up the software will copy all of the file allocation tables within a partition, that means it will copy all free space on a partition. You need to limit the amount of free space before you start a back up to CDR unless you want to use a dozen CDs or so to copy free space.





[This message has been edited by rUzz (edited 11-25-2000).]