using cds to keep records-pictures

[white]

???Hope this is not too off key.
I have used cds to copy records/books/pictures.
When I try to reopen them it shows that there is content, but will not let me access it.
It does tell me to drag files to this location.??
This applies to CR-R, Rewrite and others.
Yet when I copy music cds there is no problem playing the copies.
Any thoughts please, Roy

[Cornish Terrier]

The only thing I can think of at the moment is that perhaps the 'session' was not closed when you finished.

i.e. the items were copied to the disc but an 'end record' or 'end of file' was not written to the disc.

If the disc is not closed properly then it may not allow the files on the disc to be read even on the computer that created them.

[Mal]

If I can add something- a few possibilities

1. As CT states- the file was not end-written, so it's on the cd, the memory space is used- start again.

2. Are you sure cds are the right ones? Are you using Windows to save? Or are they waiting to be saved still- check that one.

3. Make sure the cds are blank- on rewrite cds I have endless problems- better to start over with new cds!

4. Use a pendrive or external harddrive- better and more memory!!!

[donne]

What burning software do you use? You shouldn't need to finalise a disc since you can use it in a multi-session mode to allow files to be added later while still allowing access to those on the disc. I've never seen a message asking you to "drag files to this location" when trying to read a CD - sounds like you are part of the way through the burning process.

[cowdogsam]

You say you can copy music and that works fine, but not pictures......

Personally it sounds more like a set up issue than a disk or burning issue.

I've had bad batchs of disks, 3 or 4 in a box of 10 at times. Very frustrating, but they normally bomb out part way through burning, or the pc just stares at them after it's burnt and doesn't recognise the disk.

I don't know what burning software you are using, but i know some ask what you are putting on the disk. As in, do you want it to be bootable, is it music files, data files etc etc.

Check the set up of the software to make sure it is set for burning data files. If it's set for music it might be doing something that is making the disk appear to be a music disk, and it isn't.

You say content is showing, but won't open. How is it showing?. is it with the .jpg tif bmp extention, or are there no extentions after the file name?

[Mal]

Cowdogsam has a good point there.

On the other hand, are you sure these files are not just waiting to be written to the disk?

[white]

Thanks all for your replies.
I use new cds (CD-R or DVD-R) Not sure which is best.
Donne, Am not technically minded. The system I use is the one built into the Dell Inspiron with Vista.
Before the Cornish prs disappeared I copied many to disc. I did have to convert them using Irfanview, but all of those are still there and accessible.
I do seem tohave more trouble with files such as in Adobe.
I get a bubble telling me I have files to burn to disc. When I then click "burn" it tells me that they are already there and if I select burn again I get 2 copies.
pssorry for slow reply and thanks to all,Roy

[georgec]

Hi this may help.

When you put your cd in the pc and a box opens up asking you what you would like to do, click cancel.

Then go to My Computer double click and you should see you hard drive icon and your dvd/cd drive with a cd disk over it.

Now right click on this disk and up will come a box asking you what to do Click open.

You should then see all that is on that disk.

Left double click on any file and it should open. If you find any files that you want to deleat then right click on that file and then click deleat.

Hope this is a help

George

[white]

Hi George, thanks for your input.
Still the same result.
Now canvassing for an external drive for Christmas.
Probably the best bet anyway. Then I can ceaseworrying that my laptop could crash.
Thanks again, Roy

[donne]

Hi Roy,
Getting an external drive for Christmas is fine, but I always like to back up with belt and two pairs of braces. The external drive is electronic and can still fail whereas at least CDs are meant to have some longevity. I always use the burning software (Nero) which came with my CD burner which I find to be straightforward. However I did try a test with my Windows XP burner (don't have access to Vista) and did manage to burn a CD and find the files on the CD after. You seem to have to copy files into a temporary storage area which maps the CD, and then follow through the CD burning wizard - is that what you did? You have to have about 700MB free on your hard drive to allow Windows to create the temporary storage area. I notice that the files are deleted from the temporary storage area after you have burnt the CD, but they remain there until you choose to delete them if you don't follow through the burning process.

[white]

Hi Roger, You may have hit on the problem.
I have noticed that the "you have files to burn to disk" keeps reappearing, after I think I have done so. Perhaps the process has not fully complteted.
There is some indication of centent on these discs but as I said no access to it. Maybe as the process is incomplete it will not show up.
Will attempt to ensure it is complete.
Thanks for your input. Hope the hunt for ancestors still goes well.
I had an amazing find in the last 3 weeks.
Roy

[georgec]

One other thing you can do (you may already know this ) is use a USB Pendrive they are very cheap and are just plug and play. You can move them to any laptop or pc and do not take up much room and are faster to copy and to read from, also you can back up from them to cd or dvd.
Also a good cd/dvd copy softwear is usefull. I use Nero disk burning softwear, over the last few years easy to use I have never had any problems.

Good Luck George

[white]

Thanks again George, will look at the pen drives.
Roy