5 replies to this topic

[bsams]

I've been reading some posts and it seems that I made the mistake of spanning disks using Easy Media Creator. I also used a RW DVD. I can't view the majority of my jpg pics from the disks. When I put the second disk in roxio retrieve won't even recognize it as the end of a spanned disk. My drive just stops running. So I downloaded cdroller and restored the pics, but I get the same results. When I try viewing the restored files I get a message that no preview is available. I thought that the pics themselves weren't corrupt.

What can I do?

[lynn98109]

Did you just download the cdroller "Trial Version", or did you pay for the Full Version?

Are you aware that RW media is "burned" by melting and re-crystalizing an aluminum alloy, which promptly starts to de-crystalize, taking the data with it?  That means that if it's been a while, it is possible the data has vanished.  Never use RW for data you want to KEEP.

(BTW: posting something twice is considred bad Nettiquette.)

Lynn

[bsams]

I paid for the full version. The disk is only 3 months old. Is that too old?

Did you just download the cdroller "Trial Version", or did you pay for the Full Version?

Are you aware that RW media is "burned" by melting and re-crystalizing an aluminum alloy, which promptly starts to de-crystalize, taking the data with it?  That means that if it's been a while, it is possible the data has vanished.  Never use RW for data you want to KEEP.

(BTW: posting something twice is considred bad Nettiquette.)

Lynn

[lynn98109]

I paid for the full version. The disk is only 3 months old. Is that too old?

If cdroller can't retrieve it, that is a VERY BAD sign.

There is no hard-and-fast rule as to how long RW media will last - generally months, but can be days, weeks, or years.

Your description does not sound optimistic

On the bright side - you can erase the DVD/RW and re-use it.  Just keep in mind that RW media is TEMPORARY media.  Don't use it for anything you want to KEEP.

Lynn

[bsams]

Ok. I have some new info. When I bought my DVDs I though I was just buying writable ones, but then I noticed a RW symbol on the disk and assumed they're rewritable. I'm kind of confused. The disk says DVD+R then has a RW logo in a square box. What does that RW mean?

Also, of the 2 spanned disks, some of the pictures on the second disk can be seen and some can't. All of the ones on the first disk can be seen. I can see all of the files and their file names on the second disk, but I just can't actually see the picture. It's kind of like how Windows just shows an icon when it doesn't know what kind of program to associate with the file.

Does this sound any better?

If cdroller can't retrieve it, that is a VERY BAD sign.

There is no hard-and-fast rule as to how long RW media will last - generally months, but can be days, weeks, or years.

Your description does not sound optimistic

On the bright side - you can erase the DVD/RW and re-use it.  Just keep in mind that RW media is TEMPORARY media.  Don't use it for anything you want to KEEP.

Lynn

[james_hardin]

Ok. I have some new info. When I bought my DVDs I though I was just buying writable ones, but then I noticed a RW symbol on the disk and assumed they're rewritable. I'm kind of confused. The disk says DVD+R then has a RW logo in a square box. What does that RW mean?

Also, of the 2 spanned disks, some of the pictures on the second disk can be seen and some can't. All of the ones on the first disk can be seen. I can see all of the files and their file names on the second disk, but I just can't actually see the picture. It's kind of like how Windows just shows an icon when it doesn't know what kind of program to associate with the file.

Does this sound any better?

The RW Logo is simply that, a Registered Logo. The box or package tells you what is in it and that is what you go by. Why on earth they incorporate this confusion is beyond me!

In theory if you have a 2 disc set you should only have 1 file that is split across the set.

Using Windows Explorer, you should be able to simply copy all of the files back to your HD except that one split file.

This assumes that you did not choose Compression when you made the Backup set! If compression was used, you must use the Retreive.exe program as the compression is proprietary and no other program can decipher it.

One thing you have to watch is that you are actually picking the file and not just a 'placeholder' that merely indicates where the file resides.