Writing to CDs / DVDs

Hello,
2 PCs both windows xp sp2.
Is there any way to bypass window's (I guess) "interference" when trying to copy files to cds? All I want to do is copy and paste but with both pcs (different cd/dvd players (h/w), drivers etc.) I copy and then get the "files are ready to write to cd" - I want to omit this step.
I am used to floppy disks and zip disks.
Also, I have the rw's. Can I add to them (they are not anywhere near full) i.e. can I overwrite files if I want to?
Thank you in advance!

 

Tanya, At the present time, CD burners don't do what you are asking very well. There is no way to dodge the middle step using the native software provided by XP. You can get a 3rd party packet writing software and it will let you escape that step but the rub is that you will be required to format the CD's before using them so it's still a drag.

About adding files to CD-RW's, you can do that so long as you don't opt to have the burner software "close them." I should add that CD-RW's are the least reliable for being recognized on other systems or drives than the one created on.

Consider getting a USB flash drive. I see they have dropped in price lately. I see 4 gig units going for $15.

 

Hi surferdude2, I have just run a little test that might interest you. I have put a 2 year old CD-RW, Nero IN-CD
(packet writing) that I have made on a XP machine using Nero 6. I have put that CD into my new Windows 7 test machine that has no Nero installed and it opened up and allowed to install a application in this case it was Autostreamer it installed and was ready to run without any fuss whatsoever. All files and programs displayed correctly.

 

Thanks for sharing that hawk. My CD-RW's usually work unless they contain critical data, then they invariably fail and hang my system, even though it created them.

 

Murphy's Law strike again.

 

Thank you surferdude2 and hawk22!
I had a near tragedy yesterday:
Somehow I (?) or Windows(?) had cut (instead of copied) a very essential folder onto a CD-RW. Unfortunately that particular CD-RW hung the system it was made on and hung the other system I'd wanted to copy it to:
After about 20 minutes (seriously) of hanging on the pc I'd created it on, the CD-RW displayed its contents and I rescued the folder to an ever-reliable zip disk.

I will look into the USB flash drive.

 

surferdude2 have you been using Nero InCD for the packet writing Formatting the disk with Nero.
I think I only ever had one going on me. I can't say that for Nero though, had to re-install several versions on several occasions. Despite its bloatiness and all I think it is still the best burning program and I am still using it, have now from version 5 to 8.

 

I haven't used packet writing for years. When I did it was RecordNow DLA by Veritas. I bought it, tried it and eventually dumped it. It took too much time and the GUI was too complex and clumsy. I wouldn't mind the complexity if it had some redeeming virtues but I never found any.

I use Nero now and it does all that I want, quickly and easily. I don't use DLA and see no need for it since the USB flash drives are so convenient, fast and inexpensive.

 

<snip>

surferdude2:
Can you recommend a brand of USB flash drive?
Or are they all about the same? Or are there some to avoid?

 

I currently have Cruzer Sandisk and Memorex types. I got the Cruzers from Staples and the Memorexes from K-Mart. I have never had a moments trouble with any of them. I doubt there is any difference in them except that some come with software loaded that I never choose to use. Use your own judgement there, I just dump any bloatware they put onboard.

 

Thank you.

 

I very rarely use any of my InCD's nowadays neither like you, USB sticks are just too handy and portable and cheap.
My problem is I have too many of them and you can't write on them to see what is stored whereas on the old CD-DVD you can write down what you stored onto them.
My favorite brand of USB stick is Kingston.