CD-RW, why can't I use it as a floppy drive

[DACeller]

On both my new and old computers, I have software to place data on CDs.  I expect that I could write this data onto CD-RW so I can subsequently erase/modify/delete that data as if it were a floppy, however, the data file attributes of the written files are changed to Read only.  When the data is then access on the new computer, it cannot process it.   Is there any software that will act as I expect?

[Serrik]

Most rewriteable drive today ship with nero express and a program on that disk called In-CD.

In-CD lets you just use explorer to just write, modify and delete files.  If you have In-CD and have not installed it you should likely try that.

[Nancy_O]

I am not following you.  That cd with your files is that a R or RW  If it says that it is read only then it is a R (recordable) which once your files are burnt on that is the way theywill stay but you can copy them to your hard drive, work with them and then save them with a different name.  If you want to write, and erase then you need a cdrw (rewritable)  Does that make any sense.  As for acting like a floppy well....you can copy, erase, modify and delete on a floppy but with a cdr or cdrw you still have to burn the files onto them.

[Neil]

You can only modify them a limited number of times too, I expect.

[GX1_Man]

To summarize, we need to know what it says on the CD you are using. Is it CDR or CDRW? What burning software are you using? The name of it and version number? If you don't know or if there is none we can stop there.

[DACeller]

Thanks for the replys...

I have InCD ver 3.3 on my 98 machine (this version comes with Nero Ver 5),  After formatting my Memorex CD-RW CD with InCD, I am able to see it in Windows Explorer and move/delete files to it without problem; I have no indications of problems of any kind.  Then, I move it to my new Media Center XP SP2 machine's 'LightScribe
DVD SuperMulti Drive/CD Writer  where it recognizes the CD in its Windows Exporer(Folders) as a UDF CD and shows all my files.  I added no software to this new PC (although the InCD manual on my 98 machine explains that I should need a driver to enable viewing on PC's that don't have InCD proper installed).   As long as my operations are of the Read Only, I have no trouble with the data viewed there; Using properties, The originating 98 machine shows the files as archive; On the XP machine, I see that all files are flagged Read Only.  Obviously, I cannot write/update it.  Coincidentally, on another(third) machine running 98 as well and where I did install that InCD driver, these files are flagged as both Read Only and Archive.  Certainly not the same!

I would have installed the InCD drive on the new machine, but that driver is old and there is no new one that I can find...and the XP machine is able to see it anyway...  just not the correct file attributes.

[patio]

INCD would have to be installed on any and all machines you want to do this on as it uses it's own file format.

Prepare for other burning conflicts with the use of INCD...frankly it's not that good a piece of software.

patio.  8-)

[DACeller]

I've sensed the quality of InCD, so that's why the driver hasn't been added to the new PC and am very
cautious about what I do with the new one.  I've been paralleling this whole process on another, but older PC where I did install the driver and my reasons for this whole thing and the problems don't go away.

A clearer/cleaner approach is what I'm asking for in this forum:  Is there not a piece of software that I can
install that does as the subject states and doesn't give rise to file attribute changes or quality issues?  Somebody somewhere must have had this same problem; InCD ver 3.3 is over 5 years old!  What about the Mount Rainier projects??

[patio]

Veritas and other co's that were involved in packet writing software have pretty much walked away and or sold the process...

This is why i basically don't trust it.

What are your backup needs/priorities and perhaps we could suggest another approach ? ?

patio.  8-)

[GX1_Man]

Writing to CD's causes the file attribute changes you describe. In the end a CD is NOT a big floppy.

[DACeller]

Through the process of migrating to a new PC, I was hoping to precipitate  a way to do archiving on these CDs so if my new PC goes South, I would be able to reapply that data to yet another PC.
At best, it seems this is somewhat good for archiving data which no longer would be updated.
For migration, I've turned my attention to USB Flash drives although I've already found out that Curcial's Gizmo doesn't work with Windows 98 (stated on their site) so its no good for my purposes.  Is there a company who builds one that is known to work 98 thru XP Ver2 Operating systems?...and hopefully, they don't change attributes?

[patio]

Exactly what data needs to be migrated / backed up ? ?

I use a combination of programs to insure i have what i need including synching programs and imaging software.

More details.

patio.  8-)

[WillyW]

Through the process of migrating to a new PC, I was hoping to precipitate  a way to do archiving on these CDs so if my new PC goes South, I would be able to reapply that data to yet another PC.
- - -

An idea to put on your list of things to consider:    external hard drive  and some freeware like
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,23148-order,1-page,1/description.html
or
http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware    (look for Syncback)

The software is free, but the hardware is not.      You'd have to decide if it is within your budget.      They do make enclosures -  if you had an extra hard drive lying around, you could save some money that way.

[DACeller]

I've anticipated this problem for my next migration - The HP Media Center PC I have comes with a Personal Media Drive bay.  As I use it, I will direct all related data to it, just like I did with my older machine in directing the data to ZIPs.  So, I already have a better data backup scheme. . Almost need a mirrored drive approach to be complete.  The Personal Media Drive idea I think will make better the redirection of data storage so less concern about the 'migration' need  Right now however, I need to move: old faxes that Smithware didn't allow to be re-directed, nor did Magellan GPS waypoints saved, and heaven knows what's behind the data structure of PC mail programs like Netscape/Mozilla where saved mail folders aren't exportable (Thunderbird does have an Extension addressing this, but not without problems), etc.  This new PC has the best backward-compatible-capability I could find, reasonably priced.  I still have the fiasco of Serial to USB hardware to figure out for a variety of com devices that use it...and hopefully the other two old computers I still have functioning( HAM, Telephone ), can be eliminated.  AND, my new venture of video (thus Media Center) for 8mm film migration and other TV activity can be installed.  Yep, one PC with data migration capability and backup. What else does one do with 400 Gigs of hard drive and what do you think HP had in mind with a 'media pc'??  All the problems I've run into are in themselves shortcomings that would affect anyone who didn't plan originally around them, or not if they don't care.

Thanks all for your help.