Backing up files to a CD-RW

Hello,

When I back up personal documents to a CD-RW I always delete the files that are on the CD and copy the same files back on the CD.....Just incase I edited the file since I backed it up last. 

INTERNET2000

thank you Mary ,you just saved me some money. I was going to try some cdrw's.

sandavis

Not to question more experienced posters, but I've been doing regular backups on the "no-name" (Princo) CD-RW disc that came with my burner about a year ago, and haven't lost, nor had any corrupted, files. I do erase the disc each time and do a fresh backup.

Richard

Vetriguy

I've had bad experiences with data on CDRWs and also with CDRs where I have I have used multisession disks. I wouldn't trust important data to anything but a disk which is closed at the end of the session. And I certainly don't trust XP's inbuilt drag & drop CD burning routine for anything critical. CDRs are so cheap - it's not worth taking the risk.

BTW - these problems have occured on different systems and with different media.

gudgeon,

I never do multisession backups, nor do I use XP's backup function. I've always used NERO, so I'm wondering if the problem lies more with the reliability of the backup programs people use than with the recording media. Just a thought. (I agree that CD-Rs are cheap, but then so am I. )

Richard

Bit of each, maybe?   I also always use NERO, having learned the hard way.

These are my opinions on it:

MEDIA – CD/DVD R is the most reliable media. CD/DVD RW can be reliable however anything over 100 writes is a gift. The dye simply wears out. DVD question – How much important data do you want to risk on one piece of media?

WRITE METHOD: Software is irrelevant as all write to the same set of standards. In order of reliability;

Finalized Data CD/DVD
Data CD/DVD using Sessions (there are OS limitations here)
Packet Writing

Authoring software is required to produce Finalized Data CDs. Most authoring software cannot Finalize a Data DVD so Sessions is the only choice.

Authoring software and XP can write Sessions. XP automatically imports previous sessions so that all are visible. W98 cannot see previous sessions with DVDs. Some software requires the user to import previous sessions and if not done, they "disappear" from view.

Packet writing requires a software program (Drag to Disk, InCD, DLA). Never known for reliability, its' true niche is portability between PCs. A backup using this is like storing your valuable documents and pictures in the oven! --- …what's that smell?

I use all three methods and have only had failures with packet writing. Those failures include both CD-R and RW media. (only Roxio can use CD-R for this).

"its' true niche is portability between PCs"

Actually, I disagree with this.  CD-RWs are the least portable of the media.  If you format with DLA, you may or may not find it portable to a computer running InCD.

Blackie: I agree, it would be a rare day when you can mix media among packet writers!!!

Never ran into that as we only use Roxio both at work and at home.

In that situation, you must settle on a common writer or consider using RW media as a Data CD and erase/rewrite it as you go.