How do you use CD-RW discs to save files?

[SteveMP170]

I would like to start using CD-RW discs to save information while being able to remove and add to this. Is this possible? I know CD-Rs are one-time only media.

[Train]

They do work, sort of for me.

But it has to be a bad situation before Iuse them. Lost to many of the cdrw's to ever trust them.

Just make sure you do not close them and you can still add to them.
And should your burning program have th erase option in it, that is what you use to clear the disks.

USB sticks are easier to deal with and cheaper in the long run!

[fink]

Like Train, I wouldn't use re-writeable disks for really important data. I've tried quite a number of brands at home and at work and I've never found a disk that reliably rewrites data on one of those CD's more than a half dozen times at most.

For example I had one Maxell that I used as a boot disk (ultimate boot disk/UBCD) and I deleted the contents and recreated it via a new iso image every time I needed to add new programs or data files-specifically the antivirus dat files.

It worked fine for 4 cycles but after the 4th it started to lose some functions in some of its programs.
And at work I have a few CD's I run before or after events.. they're usually short films and/or music mp3's...
same thing.. they work fine for about 5 or 6 rewrites but after that the films start to display visible problems
like oddly pixelated frames or freezing.

Using a new CD solved those issues, & didn't really cost much more over all. I would have used a thumb drive but the slot was too awkwardly placed on the bottom/back of the case.

[Midknyte]

With CDRW, you're not actually overwriting the data; you're appending. When you change a file, it's writing the new file then changing the pointer.

For data that is going to change, I'd go with a flash drive instead.

[HAN]

You could use packet writing software like Nero InCD, Sonic's DLA or Roxio's Drag2Disc (aka DirectCD.) But I wouldn't. Packet writing is crap! It is not reliable, period. As already mentioned, use a decent quality USB flash drive. You'll be MUCH happier!

(If the USB port is awkward to reach, cheap USB extensions are available. I just bought some earlier this summer that were 6" long.)

[SteveMP170]

First of all, thanks again to all of you. I didn't think I had a question until I started hearing that CD-RWs were not so great!! I figured I'd ask the docs. If I do try them should I used them with a burning program like Nero or Roxio CD/DVD Creator or can I just drag things to the CD-RW to make a copy? I haven't used a flash drive but it certainly sounds easier. Should I have a couple (or more) of these devices around for this purpose?

[Midknyte]

I haven't used a flash drive but it certainly sounds easier. Should I have a couple (or more) of these devices around for this purpose?

Dude, you seriously need to get a flash drive. I have a BUNCH of them for different purposes. Borrow one if you have to. At least try it out before you waste time with CDRWs.

[Train]

Dude, you seriously need to get a flash drive. I have a BUNCH of them for different purposes. Borrow one if you have to. At least try it out before you waste time with CDRWs.

Do your self a big favor!

You can tell I agree!!

[HAN]

First of all, thanks again to all of you. I didn't think I had a question until I started hearing that CD-RWs were not so great!! I figured I'd ask the docs. If I do try them should I used them with a burning program like Nero or Roxio CD/DVD Creator or can I just drag things to the CD-RW to make a copy? I haven't used a flash drive but it certainly sounds easier. Should I have a couple (or more) of these devices around for this purpose?

To use CD-RW's as real-time storage, you need packet writing software, the most common ones the programs I listed earlier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_writing As we have all noted, it's not worth the effort. It's not reliable and it's not even particularly handy.

There is a better way... USB flash drives. Like Midknyte, I have a bunch of them. They are easy to use. If you are running Windows ME or higher, then they are plug and play. Once they are connected and the PC recognizes them, you use them just like your hard drive. Cut, copy or paste works identical to the normal method.

There are some USB flash drives that come with pre-installed software known as U3, the most common being the SanDisk brand. While SanDisk is a decent brand, IMO, U3 is fluff and not a good thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U3 My recommendation is to stay away from U3.

Another consideration is speed. I use my drives enough that I want fast drives. As an example, the typical flash drives Best Buy sells in their stores are on the slow side of things (SanDisk, PNY, BB's own brand.) If speed is an issue, you'll need to buy on line at places like newegg.com or amazon.com. Models like Kingston's HyperX, OCZ's Rally 2 or Patriot's X-Porter XT Boost are MUCH faster than these others.

If you have any other questions, be sure to ask.