Unlocking a CD-RW

[jwboyd]

Sooz's question about unlocking a photo CD prompts me to ask a question I was going to post anyway.

A couple of people convinced me to start using CDRW for my Retrospect backups, instead of the MO cartridges I have used successfully for several years.

My computer is an iBook with a Combo drive (DVD/CDRW) which I have had for less than a month. I still have not learned how to do my Retrospect backups on CDRW.

Retrospect cannot use a disk which is not mounted, and I cannot get my CDRWs to mount unless they are burned. But when Retrosppect calls for a mounted disk, they always come up "locked," and Retrospect cannot proceed. I have downloaded the latest upgrade for Retrospect and the latest driver for my Sony Combo drive.

Since I have never used CDR or CDRW before, what I need is step-by-step instructions for the entire backup procedure, start to finish. Can someone direct me to an appropriate site, or give me those instructions?

I'll be most grateful!

Joe

[Xairbusdriver]

The main  difference between a CD-R and a CD-RW is that the -RW can be erased. But both can be used more than once. And a CD (of any type) will always appear 'locked' to the system, only when using burning software (or that technique is built into the system, as in X, I think) can it be used for storing data.

A -R can have multiple 'sessions' on it. They will simply appear as multiple drives/folders. You must use software that can be set for this type of 'burning.'

A -RW can probably do the same 'session' type thing, have never tried it. But it can be used more than once, but in a slightly different way. Before it can be used a second time (other than in another 'session') it must be erased. Whether the user sees this is simply a matter of how the burning software operates. Basic software will probably ask you to use a specific "Erase" command before doing the burning. More 'sophisticated' may not require the user to do that, but it is being done.

A -RW is not the same as a hard disk/Zip disk/floppy/etc. While a -R 'burns' the data in a (reasonably) permanent way, a -RW 'burns' it onto a substance that can be re-conditioned so as to be able to be burned again. As a matter of fact, that substance characteristic is one reason a -RW is more expensive. And it is also why it is not as permanent. Because this substance is re-used, it is more susceptible to mechanical problems after re-use.

So, since the -R is cheaper, less error prone, and more permanent, I haven't used a -RW in many years.

As for making backups, your backup software must be compatable with burning CD's (of either type) before that can be done. Simply dragging files that you want to backup into the burning software is, of course, another alternative, if not as automatic.

HTH's

Retrospect and the combo drive I know nothing about! Kelly will probably have some links for you.

Jim C.
 
 [ 04-22-2003, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: airbusdriver ]

[jwboyd]

I forgot to mention that my OS of choice is 9.2.2. Does that make a difference?

[Xairbusdriver]

quote:Originally posted by jwboyd:
I forgot to mention that my OS of choice is 9.2.2. Does that make a difference?

Nope, except that you definitely don't have any built-in burning options as in X.    

A CD is basically either burned(formatted) or empty(unformatted). If it is unformatted, the OS will ask you what to do with it, thinking that it can format it. If it is already burned, the OS will show you what is there (assuming it can read and understand the data).

Remember, a CD is not magnetic media. It is physically altered when it is burned. It is literally burned by a fairly powerful laser light. That light can actually blind you if you were able to see it. That is basically because it will damage/burn the tissues of your body. Not a good idea. And it is hard to stuff your body into most CD readers, anyway. So stick with CD-R or CD-RW disks.

Some may try to tell you that you can use a CD-RW just like a ny magnetic disk. I know of one PC program that 'simulates' this. The key word here is simulate. This just leads to confusion, it ain't really happening the way it seems.

Kinda like talking about 'motion' detectors in home security systems. What is actually used is an infrared dector. It simply 'sees' a change in temperature in its field of view.    

To burn a CD you must use software that knows how to send the appropriate commands to the burner hardware.

Pre-iApp days, most people used Toast, it still comes with many burners, the light version, anyway.

Still hoping that some Retrospect users will come along and explain or describe how to use it with a burner. It may be possible. But you must also realize that even a CD has only so much room (about 740mb). That's why there is now a push to burn to DVD's.    So much stuff, so little space!    

Jim C.

[kelly]

Dantz Support.  

How to identify your backup device

http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=kba...=KBASE&id=27510

http://www.dantz.com/en/support/index.dtml