Copying text files to CD-RW

Is the CDRW using the UDFS file system?  If not, it will behave like an ordinary CDR or CDROM, (ie. read only) except you can erase the disk and start over.

A CD-ROM means read-only-memory. So without the UDFS system, whatever you put in CDR will become read only files. Now when you copy files off the CDR, those files will have read-only attributes and there's no way to change them within CDR. However you can change those attributes only when the files are transfered to HD. You can just right click on the folder and uncheck the read-only box, you don't have to ctrl-a select the whole files

 

Bear with me -- I'm hardly computer-illiterate -- but what is the UDFS file system? And are you basically telling me I cannot copy a file to a CD-RW in a way so I can later make changes to it, as I can with a simple floppy?

If that's the case, it kinda makes having a CD drive silly. Sounds like a major step backwards to me.

Dave Arnold

Mr. Wolf:

I did an Internet Explorer help files search for your "UDFS" and came up with nothing.

I've also gone to the folder I want to copy, done everything possible to un-click the "read only" attributes and make the contents available to anybody I give the CD-RW to --- it all seems to work well -- the folder now sits in a friendly hand on the screen -- until I actually re-copy the folder, then it and all the content are back to "read only."

If I make an efforts to change that, I get an "access denied" prompt.

I really could use a little step-by-step guidance on this; even went to my local book store and found a handbook on Windows 2003 XP Professional, but it only defined the term "read-only," and gave no clues how to change it. I doubt if Dell cares, either.

And thank you!
Dave Arnold

Hmmm, I just read this post which is quite similiar to your problem:

http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_cdrom&message.id=32413

are you using the Sonic software too?  I personally use Nero's InCd UDF packet writing software, this is what Baywolf was referring to.  Packet writing software enables you to drag/drop files/folders on a CD/DVD disc just like a floppy disc.

This is a first I heard about the above issue with Sonic.  Get Nero instead, it's a great program.  InCd is included with the package.

You may read about it at www.nero.com

 

 

Mr. Glock:
Thank you for the advice; I'll check out Nero and Sonic tomorrow.

I'm working on a Dell Inspiron 300m with strictly-stock software. I assumed that its coming equipped with a CD and DVD burner meant that I could create CDs.

This is strictly a business machine for somebody (i.e. "me") who owns a public relations consulting company and travels with it on business.

I have no interest in playing around with music on it, or watching a movie on it. In fact, we were given a regular DVD player a year ago as a gift, and have yet to take it out of the box. No interest in that stuff.
Dave Arnold

Could you describe in more detail how you are "copying" your Excel/word docs to CD.  What software are you using to do this?  Are you just using MS wizard to do this?  Are you drag/dropping files on the disc thru explorer?  Please elaborate.  I'd like to help but need more info from you.

 

Dave, what sort of CDRW software came with your Dell? Go to Windows Explorer, right click on your CDRW drive, go to properties, and see whether you can play around with what you see...

Thought I had the problem solved yesterday, but didn't. My local computer store expert told me I first needed to re-format the CD-RWs, which I did. Having done that, when I tried to use Sonic's program to copy the files, produced the following message: "Warning. The disc you have inserted is not blank. You will have to erase it and start over."

So I'm starting with Windows Explorer, then the "my computer" file, then using the built-in Sonic disc burner to copy the folder to a CD-RW. And the files still open as "read only," despite a last-moment check, before I push the "burn" button, that the folder has the "read only" button unchecked.

There has to be something simple that I'm missing. This is shade-tree mechanics stuff, not rocket science.
Dave Arnold

Jeff:
My Inspiron 300m came with Sonic software to burn CD-RWs. I've right-clicked the D drive in Explorer, and found nothing that looks like it would make sense.
Dave

Hi Dave Arnold,  I don't have nor use the Sonic software, is it Sonic Recordnow version?  I emailed the person who I believe has the same issue you are experiencing to read your issue (the link I gave you in the above post).  From what I read it appears that the version of Sonic software doesn't include a UDF packet writing piece.  Here's a link that describes what/how UDF does:

         http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/howto/story/0,24330,3368822,00.html

 

        http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=540&page=4

 

Formatting a disc cd-r/rw, dvd all formats with UDF isn't required, but if you want to drap and drop files onto a disc like a floppy disc then it is required.  Erasing the disk makes the disc "unformatted" once again so if you want to drag/drop files you will again need to format the disc.  You will lose some space on the disc when formatting it, i.e. a 700mb cd-r will have about 500 something mb after formatting it, the lost space is used for a TOC - Table of Contents.

I don't know enough about Sonic to comment but I don't think it's formatting your disc using UDF packet writing.

I also suggest posting a reply to the person whom I think has the same issue in the link I gave in my earlier post, he is using Sonic.

I'm very interested in what the answer is to your issue.  Good luck.

 

 

Dave, I'm not sure if your hardware is the same as mine, but I had a sort of similar problem and solved it at the link below.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_cdrom&message.id=32166&highlight=#M32166