Renaming Files on CD-R?

Is there any way to rename a picture file I've saved on CD-R? I've tried to do this and it tells me that I can't rename a read-only file...I tried to save a different picture to CD-R under an old name, trying to replace a file, but that wouldn't work, either. At one point, when trying to save a .jpg file over an old name, it said that I couldn't save files in that area because I wasn't the administrator. Any help would be appreciated. THANKS!!
Barb

 

The easy way out is to copy the contents of the CD back to your hard drive, make the changes you want, then burn a new CD. You can't actually change files on a CD after they have been written, as you have found out.

 

Hello Barb,

You would have to download the files onto the HD, rename, and burn it out again.

With CD-R, the burn would have to be to a different cd, R is write once only.

On CD-RW, still wouldn't be able to change anything on the disc itself, same procedure as for R, but you can re-use the same disc.

Regards - Charles

EDIT: 'dude, you were quicker on the draw

 

If you're using Roxio drag-and-drop software you can delete the file and save it again under the new name. On a CD-R you will of course lose the space since you can't overwrite it on a CD-R, only on a CD-RW disk.

Works the same way on DVDs.

Otherwise use only CD-RW or DVD-RWs for all your drag and drop and when the CD is full, write to a folder on the HDD and then write it to a CD-R. Then erase the RW and re-use it.

 

Hi Sparrow,

If you're using Roxio drag-and-drop software you can delete the file and save it again under the new name.
Delete from where? As far as I can tell, you delete from Roxio's buffer - the disc contents, and re-burn, or am wrong here?

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles,
A CD-R in Roxio drag-and-drop can be treated like a floppy or HDD. (it is first formatted by the program - that takes a minute! - and then is said to be further formated as you drop files on it). The files are burned immediately. I just rebooted my test computer to verify this. I deleted a file that was burned to the DVD-R some time ago, and it's gone. Works the same on CD-Rs. I used CD-Rs for drag and drop back-up for a long time (under adaptec software) before CD-RWs became so inexpenxive.

I just tried to rename a file on my DVD-R and the rename worked just fine.

 

Ok thanks Sparrow, I'll have to try this.

I don't use CD or DVD R's, only RW's, they're cheap enough these days. Haven't wanted to burn anything that needed Dual Layer yet.

Anyway, the advice that SFD2 and I gave is accurate as far as general burning goes, this is just a complication and takes familiarity with burning which I don't think Barb has, no insult intended Barb

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks, Charles. Roxio is the only software with this capability, so far as I know.

 

sparrow's right about deleting files from a cdr when using packet writing software. There's one catch though. When you delete a file from a cdr you don't recover the space the file used. So, if you delete a 30mb file from a 700mb cdr, you'll still only have 670mb's available on the disk after you've deleted the file.

 

Thanks, Zander.
It's better to just rename the file in this case, but the user needs the proper software! If she'll email me I'll tell her where to get it.

 

Thanks, guys...most helpful, as usual! No, I don't know much about burning, except for saving digitals and making CD's of my favorites with basic Windows XP software (Record Now). I figured the renaming wasn't going to work, and it's no biggie...live and learn! Thanks for all your replies!
Barb