DVD+RW data backup problem - some files not copied correctly.

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 4600 just a few months old.  I have been trying to back up data files (MP3 and WMA) to the DVD+RW drive using Roxio DataDVD.  I set up the project with the files to be copied, then when I run the copy to DVD, everything appears to work correctly.  But then when I reload the DVD and start looking at the individual files, sometimes I find several files have 0 length.  When I right-click on these files, I get no drop-down menu.  If I try to drag the file name from the DVD to my desktop. I get error message, 'Cannot copy - the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.'  The corrupted files seem to be full folders; i.e. all the files in a folder either copy correctly or get corrupted.  But sometimes all files appear okay - it seems to be a function of which files I am copying, or the number of folders, or such.  I have done 2 updates to the Roxio software, first from Dell updates, then a later update I found on Roxio site, and I have done the firmware Flash update to the NEC 1100A drive, and I still have the same problem.  This has happened with multiple discs,. With the HP CD drive and software I had on my previous PC, the CD writer had a verify option so I could at least trust it had written correctly if I got no error messages.  If I hadn't taken a close look at lost of my files, I could have have easily missed the errors and figured I had good backups, when actually they are corrupted. Has anyone else run into this?  Any suggestions other than call Dell?

Jim Hardin · Answer

JPA: You are not the first. You need to select Joliet for your file system rather than the default UDF.

It is a bug in v5 and will probably never get fixed. It is still present in v6.2, just tested it last night and will pass it along to Roxio.

JPA123 · Answer

That was it, Jim. Thanks ever so much. I was close to giving up on the DVD, and buying an external USB drive for backup. I had noticed it said my DVD was unexpectedly UDF but didn't see where to change it. But after your reply I found it under File menu, CD Project Properties and changed it to Joliet and voila! I also discovered the Verify option there, without which I don't feel comfortable, particularly after this experience.

I appreciate so much the help from you and the other regulars here who are so generous with your time, knowledge, and experience.

Storage, Drives & Media

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