Adding data files

[dataman]

Friends,

 

I have tried adding data files to a CD-RW dsc after previously burning single files to the the same disc about six times. The files are short only 20 KB.

 

After six burnings, I get the message that "Additional files cannot be burned to this disc"

 

Question: Is there a limit as to how many times seperate short files can be burned to the same disc?

 

dataman

 

 

[firenhancer]

How are you achieving this? What product are you using? More information please.

[dataman]

How are you achieving this? What product are you using? More information please.

 

I am using Roxio Easy Media Creator 9.

 

I add a single file and burn it to disc and close the program. After a time interval the program is reopened, another file is added and burned to disc and the program closed. After six or seven burnings, I get the message that additional files cannot be added to the disc. Again, the files are only about 20 KB.

 

I have considered two possibilities. First, I have a bad batch of CD-RW’s, or second, I should add files over a period of days and burn only once. Is there another possibility to consider?

 

 

[bimicher]

I am using Roxio Easy Media Creator 9.

 

I add a single file and burn it to disc and close the program. After a time interval the program is reopened, another file is added and burned to disc and the program closed. After six or seven burnings, I get the message that additional files cannot be added to the disc. Again, the files are only about 20 KB.

 

I have considered two possibilities. First, I have a bad batch of CD-RW's, or second, I should add files over a period of days and burn only once. Is there another possibility to consider?

 

You are not telling us the important thing: what program from EMC9 are you using to burn?

[dataman]

You are not telling us the important thing: what program from EMC9 are you using to burn?

 

As much as I resist doing this, I must reveal my ignorance. This is a relatively new computer and I am using Windows Vista Home Premium. Beyond that, I am baffeled. How can I find out what program from EMC9 I am using.

 

[firenhancer]

How can I find out what program from EMC9 I am using.

 

Provide the steps you are using.

[lynn98109]

Friends,

 

I have tried adding data files to a CD-RW dsc after previously burning single files to the the same disc about six times. The files are short only 20 KB.

 

After six burnings, I get the message that "Additional files cannot be burned to this disc"

 

Question: Is there a limit as to how many times seperate short files can be burned to the same disc?

 

dataman

I think you are making a common mistake (which I made and learned the hard way). RW does not mean "like a floppy". If you write data to a RW disc and then delete it, you don't get get the space back, any more than you do with an R disc. The difference is you can erase the ENTIRE RW disc, and reuse it - which makes RWs good for testing, and other short-term uses such as transferring a file when the orignal is safely on the originiating Hard Drive or whereever.

 

You can make multi-session discs with either R or RW media. Since RW media is less stable (that means, your data is much more likely to become unusable), it is a VERY poor choice for archiving information.

 

If you close the disc, whether R or RW, then no more information can be added. I suspect you are closing the disc.

 

If you format the disc with Drag2Disc, or Vista's own Packet-Writing program, or any other Packet-Writing program, then you add in all the risks of Packet-Writing. Those who have lost data that way (including me) don't use it anymore, and don't advise others to use it.

 

That is why you are being asked how you are burning the disc - to determine if you are using Packet-Writing, and whether you are closing the disc.

 

Lynn

 

PS: (Edit) - and to determine if you are using Roxio, or using one of Vista's built-in forms of burning.

[cdanteek]

As much as I resist doing this, I must reveal my ignorance. This is a relatively new computer and I am using Windows Vista Home Premium. Beyond that, I am baffeled. How can I find out what program from EMC9 I am using.

 

dataman, don't get distracted or confused by long winded post's generally aimed at bashing RW media and packet writing software...

 

How can I find out what program from EMC9 I am using.

 

It's simple it lists the names somewhere at the top...

 

 

 

cd

 

 

[d_deweywright]

...or, if you're simply dragging a file to the drive letter in Windows Explorer, or doing a "save to" to that drive, and the drive light comes on and the file is written, then you are using Drag-to-Disc (also part of EMC 9).

[Brendon]

I have considered two possibilities. First, I have a bad batch of CD-RW’s, or second, I should add files over a period of days and burn only once. Is there another possibility to consider?

Dataman,

 

If you're formatting your discs before use, you're using Drag-to-Disc, and the method is called 'Packet-writing'. The formatting will use up about 160 MB of your space on the disc, which is a lot if you only have 650 or 700 MB to start with.

 

If you're using EMC 9's "Burn Data Disc" or "Creator Classic" the method is called 'authoring'. This is the recommended method, but it still uses "overhead space" to write a lead-in and a lead-out and other structures for each 'session' you write. This takes about 20 MB for the first session and about 15 MB for each subsequent session, regardless of the amount of data you write.

-You'll waste less space if you save your files for a few days and then write a BIG session, rather than writing many small sessions with only one file each time.