Win98banter - View Single Post

**RobertVA** · November 26th 07, 09:37 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

wrote:
What ever happened to the good old days where all that was needed was
a simple floppy disk, and files could be dragged and dropped from
Windows, or use the "copy command" from dos.

After not even owning a CD player for years, I just bought an external
Iomega ZipCD player and recorder, connected to my USB port. After a
little hassle getting the drivers installed, it works fine, and I was
able to install a few CD's that have been sitting on the shelf for the
last several years.

On the other hand, I have never burned a CD or DVD or anything. This
drive came with Iomega Hot Burn Pro. I have played with it, but have
not yet purchased any blanks. One thing I am not sure whether to get
the Write once or Multi-write ones. Worse yet, which are which. In
the store they had R and RW. What do these letters mean? I thought
that R meant READ and RW meant READ-WRITE. But what good is a blank
CD that is only readable? The Walmart clerk did not know what I was
talking about (typical Walmart idiot), so I left the store not buying
any discs because I did not know what to buy.

CD-R: Compact Disk Recordable

Use for maximum compatibility with other CD reading devices.

CD-RW: Compact Disk Read/Write

Use for disks you expect to change or add data to in a future session.
These can be used in a manner similar to a floppy IF, and ONLY IF, you
install packet writing software like Nero or CD Creator (usually comes
with the drive - probably something that Iomega Hot Burn Pro does). Note
that CD-RWs formatted with one publisher's packet writing application
may not be compatible with applications from other publishers.

Then, when I finally do get the disks, what do I do next?

The software has the following options to select.
Music Disc
This is the classic wave file format compatible with nearly all CD and
DVD players (even some game consoles like Sega-CD Playstations and
X-Box). Utilizes tracks 1 through as high as 99 (one "song" per track).
Music CDs don't normally have a track zero.

Data Disc
Stores computer files on track 0 (zero)

MP3/WMA Disc
A data disk containing audio recordings. Compatible with SOME CD players
and DVD players. Check the player's user manual and or packaging for a
listing of compatible formats (MIGHT even be on the face plate). The
compatible DVD players might display an Explorer style music file list
on the TV screen. Many people don't mind the slightly lower sound
quality and the same blank can contain MP3 files from dozens of music CDs

Disc Copy
Can be used to duplicate a pressed (from the music store) CD on a CD-R.
Use the CD-R copy fir portable use, storing the original at home. If the
CD-R copy gets damaged or stolen you can easily make another.

CD Label

MP3's are music, so why is there both a "music disc" and a "MP3/WMA"
option?

Music disks for wider compatibility with players. MP3 on data disks for
higher capacity (the things can play for days without repeating).

I am sure the Data Disc is for backups and saving files off the hard
drive. And I know that CD Label makes labels (which my laser printer
would unlikely be able to make.

Check office supply stores for blank labels. Look for packages labeled
for use in laser printers (the glue needs to be formulated for the
higher temperatures that fuse the toner to the paper). Look near where
laser/copier compatible mailing labels are displayed. Make sure you
start with a kit that has a device to align the labels on the CD. You
CAN NOT remove a label from a CD-R without ruining the disk. The CD-R
will be out of balance and probably unreadable if the label is applied
off center.

Then I started to select a bunch of MP3 files on my harddrive and it
told me that they will not all fit. Well, DUH..... Why does it not
tell me where to stop, assuming I will need several discs?

Use the file listing in the software that came with the drive instead of
Windows Explorer (Probably the Iomega Hot Burn Pro you describe). That
list of disk type options is probably one of the steps leading to where
you select what music (or other files) you want to put on the disk.

Do I need to manually copy the files to a special directory until I
know I have no more than 700 megs (or is it 650, since several
websites do not agree and list 650 on some and 700 on other sites for
the max capacity).

The Iomega Hot Burn Pro probably automatically creates a temporary
buffer on your hard drive containing the music or other files and then
"burns" the whole lot on the CD-R at once. Pay attention to the "#x"
speed labeling on the spool of blanks for this process. Sometimes a
lower speed than what the package claims will be more reliable. Try not
to use any other applications during the actual burning process.

Then it says that MP3's can not be played on a standard CD player on a
stereo. What's the point of putting them on a CD if they wont play
(other than as a backup).

SOME CD and DVD players WILL play the MP3s (probably better chance with
the DVD players unless a VERY early model). Portable CD players with MP3
compatibility were beginning to catch on when flash memory and hard
drive based players (like I-pods) captured the portable player market.

On to the Data Disc.
Am I going to have to manually select files till I reach the 650 or
700 meg limit? I dont see any option to have it just tell me to
insert another disc when one is full.

Again check the abilities of the Iomega Hot Burn Pro.

I spent half a day reading help files and websites, and this seems to
be the most complicated thing any computer can do. Like I said, what
ever happened to the good old days of floppies. Just copy the files
and the job is done. It looks like with CD's there are hours if not
days of preparation required before making each and every CD.

Now I know why I never wanted to own one of these cd burners.

I'm seriously thinking that although it will cost more, I may be
better off just buying a pile of those memory sticks for backing up my
computer, and forgetting the CD burning. At least I got a CD player
now.

Price would be awfully high. The amount of data involved might even make
the quantity of CD-Rs (or CD-RWs) an issue for making a system backup
anyway. It's becoming common for computer users to use external hard
drives connected to USB ports for system backups. CD-Rs or CD-RWs may be
useful for data backups though (as long as video isn't involved).

By the way, if I ever do get this thing to work, how can I label them
with a pen or something like that? I dont have the printer to make
labels and it all seems like too much hassle anyhow. But they do need
some soft of label, even just numbering them would help. I have at
least a dozen CDs that other people made for them, and none have
labels, so I got to install them one by one to see what is on them.

While in that office supply store look for special markers designed for
CDs. Their water based inks add a margin of safety compared to the ink
in regular permanent markers containing solvents that could soften the
lacquer coating that protects the reflective layers of optical media.

You may be able to buy an ink jet printer PLUS a spare set of ink tanks
(maybe even two extra sets) for the cost of ONE replacement toner
cartridge for that laser printer.

Either I'm too old for this, or I just dont understand any of it.

By the way I'm runing 98SE.

Jim