corrupted CD RW

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@Sara-ann wrote:

Hi, I had been backing up onto CD RW and now although the disc is not physically damaged, I cannot get my files from it any more.  This is what it says now:

Details:  UDFREADER (E): cd drive, file system CDFS,

Instead of my files, it shows this, an autorun icon, two files called, UdfrChk and udfrinst.zl

Is there any way I can recover these files?

Thanks

Sara Ann

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This is typical of packet writing. One time it works, next time it fails… This is why most of advise to never trust it with the only copy of anything you value.

You packet writer should include a Scan Disc utility to help you recover as much as it can.

If compression was not used (always a very bad idea!) CD Roller is said to be an excellent recovery program. Here

Thank you very much Jim, I will try this.  I have learned the hard way about CD RW and plan to buy an external hard disk to back up from now on,

Sara Ann

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@Skybird wrote:

I think was Jim was eluding to was for you to use CDR discs
rather than CDRW discs.  CDR discs are reliable and relatively
inexpensive.

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You though wrong, well sort of…

Using CD-R media for packet writing improves but does not solve reliability issues. It is like having a leaky gas can but carrying a fire extinguisher with you when you go to the gas station… It doesn't solve the base problem but will minimize the damage.

I use packet writing for portability and minor backups. However for serious backups, I only use Finalized Data DVD/CD-R!

Thank you, Jim and Skybird for replying.  I tried CD Roller but couldnt get it to work.  Having been pointed in the right direction by you, I then downloaded IsoBlaster and after a bit of hair tearing managed to get everything from the disc back onto my computer.  What a relief, but I have learned a lesson here.  Do you mean from finalized DVD or RW, not to leave the discs so you can add to them?  I dont know much about this, please excuse me.  I am still thinking of buying a small portable external hard drive, (can slip in the pocket the ad says) and do you think this is a good idea?

Sara-Ann

Sorry I meant to write  IsoBuster not IsoBlaster in last post!