Backup to CD-RW problem

[DaveGoTech]

I just replaced a Windows 98 PC with an XP Pro machine. This PC runs a special application and the data files need to be backed up. On the 98 machine, I used a zip 100 drive for backup and it worked. On the XP machine, I want to use the internal CD-RW drive to burn a backup. The program fails whan I attempt to backup the files to CD. This is because the program sends the data files to the backup device and expects them to be written immediately, however, on XP, files are not written immediately, but a sent to a queue for writing at a later time, which causes the program to error. Is there a way to change the way XP handles CD writing to burn as needed?

 

[Pugsley123]

temporary workaround...

You could have your application backup to a temp directory on the hard drive, once that backup is complete, then burn to CDR using XP.

-- Pugsley

 

[gpalmer711]

If you are willing to use CD-RW disks you could also take a look at Roxio's Easy CD Creator which comes included with a piece of software called Direct CD. This software will format a CD-RW disk so that it can be written to like a harddrive.

I have used this software for similar reason and it worked very well.

Greg Palmer

----------------------------------------
Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[imsohood8424]

Nero 5.5 has that too, the feature is called InCD...

 

[linney]

See if you can adapt this procedure to use XP's burning software for backup?

http://www.ntfaq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=24412

 

[DaveGoTech]

This is from the original poster:
PUGSLEY: We can't backup to a temp directory, as the program forces us to backup to a backup device.
GPALMER: We tried ROXIO software, but it doesn't do the job.
IMSOHOO: We also tried NERO and it doesn't work in this case.
LINNEY: We can't exit the application to make modifications. When it starts backup, if something doesn't work, it quits without backing up.
We don't want to make this a complicated project as temporary employees are typically manning this pc.
Again, I want to change the way windows handles CD writes so that files are written immediately when requested, or the program will not operate properly.

 

[noellees1]

Just use the zip drive again its sooooo much easier and ive never had courrupt zip media the amount of courrupt CDRW's i get is phenomenal

http://www.spano.co.uk

The way web design should be

 

[DaveGoTech]

We can't use Zip any longer because the backup files are exceeding 100MB.

 

[karlisi]

I had 640MB Magnet Optical IDE drive some time ago for small backups but there are 1.2GB MO drives too and they are backward compatible. You can find SCSI, IDE and USB external and internal drives.

===
Karlis
ECDL; MCP

 

[gpalmer711]

From what you have said it sounds unlikely that the problems is because XP does not write directly to the CD.

When you add files to a CD you are correct that it stores the files in a location. However this is not a queue, it is a standard folder on your PC. Unless you have changed it it will be
c:\Documents and Settings\%User Name%\local settings\application settings\microsoft\cd burning

When your application used to write files to the ZIP disk Windows 98 would likely have recognised the ZIP drive as a removable Storage Device and interacted with it as if it was a HD.

Likewise now when you are trying to backup to CD the application should be writing to the Temp location above in the same way.

I think what is more likely is either a) A compatibilty issue with XP, Have you tried the manufacturers website, or B) It may be having problems with you telling the software to backup to D:\ but the files actually going to the above location. Perhaps you could try backing up to the above location in you software. The files will hopefully then appear in the CD Burning Queue.

Greg Palmer

----------------------------------------
Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[bygeek]

You can pick up an external 750mb zip drive for about $185. Much easier for backups than cd-rw.