DVD-RW Trouble

[BGBG]

Had idea to backup-copy My Documents containing all data to a DVD-RW multisession disc using Windows 98se,45MHz PC, Pioneer DVR-108 Firewire external recording drive. I tried 1x, 2x, and 4x discs. I have previous discs all made with same setup and they play fine. The recording gets done, I try to open it in the PC E:\ that my other CDRW and DVDRW play fine in, and the new disc either keeps spinning(whummm, whummm, whummm, ad infinitum, ORit opens but when I click something it freezes and I ave to open door to stop things. If freezes totally I have to reboot. Size of file is 2 GB.
The discs are bulk spindle Ridata 4x, Princo 1x, and TDK 2x, which have all worked fine in this drive. Had drive since 2004 and not used very often.
Also though I check multiseesion it does a single session with no more capacity to add. What can be going wrong here?
I had the idea to back up large files to DVDRW then erase when updated.
I found a firmware update on web but I dont see why that should be needed since it always worked fine before and the discs made then are fine now.
Could 3 different discs be defective; could drive have gone bad somehow? The Pc drive plays all else fine. Another option would be to use different recorder and split to several CDRW but still the Pioneer problem would remain.

[kelly]

See if I have this straight: you copy My Documents onto a DVD using some kind of recording software (you didn't mention which one). The recording finishes without an error indicated.

Then you try to play the same disk and neither DVD drive can read it. If that's the case, I would look to the recording software.

- Tony

[BGBG]

Nero Express 6.3.1.12
Pioneer DVR-108 External Firewire
DVD-RW Data Disc
Record, successful, put disc in PC CD/DVD-ROM Drive E:\.
Open or explore disc. See files and/or folders.
When click on file or folder it partially opens and freezes.
Or sometimes it doesnt open but keeps making whirring sounds.
Sometimes firmware updates are available. I found one but dont know what flashing means or how to do it.
Nor am I sure this is needed because the same software has worked with same discs and material previously. Have checked connections.
Should i try updating firmware whether or not it is related or just keep trying other things. Like reinstalling software?
In Disc Info it says disc has been recorded but now no space free even though multisession was checked.
May just be a glitch of some sort.

[photolady]

That's why I don't use RW discs. Are these new discs or ones you've erased? How much memory have you got in the win98 computer?

[Seth]

That's why I don't use RW discs. Are these new discs or ones you've erased? How much memory have you got in the win98 computer?

Good point PL.

Stay away from RW.

[kern]

the new disc either keeps spinning(whummm, whummm, whummm, ad infinitum, ORit opens but when I click something it freezes and I ave to open door to stop things. If freezes totally I have to reboot.
The discs are bulk spindle Ridata 4x, Princo 1x, and TDK 2x, which have all worked fine in this drive....What can be going wrong here?...Could 3 different discs be defective;

Could be defective media, especially if the 'bulk pack' has been 'shrink wrapped'. The heat from the shrink wrapping can destroy the top few disks, especially if a 'blank' has not been placed on top of the stack.
I'd try a dvd from the middle of the stack before taking other steps.

[mommalina]

Could be defective media, especially if the 'bulk pack' has been 'shrink wrapped'. The heat from the shrink wrapping can destroy the top few disks, especially if a 'blank' has not been placed on top of the stack.
I'd try a dvd from the middle of the stack before taking other steps.

Wow! Good tip, Rob. How'd you get so clever? .. ;)

Lina

[kern]

Wow! Good tip, Rob. How'd you get so clever? .. ;)

Lina

Lina,
The first time that happened to me, I spent hours trying to figure out why brand new cd's would lock up my system, or, cause the cd burner indicator light to 'blink' endlessly yet nothing would be written to the disk.
I finally looked at the disks and noticed a slight discoloration on the edges of the top few, and tried one from the middle of the stack- lo and behold- I was able to create the cd.
I contacted Memorex and explained what had happened, and they told me to send the disks in for exam. They notified me that the problem was either caused by a problem with the shrink wrap process, and/or, that a 'blank' had not been inserted on top of the stack prior to wrapping the spindle.

[kern]

oh and they sent me a 25 pack of CDRW's for my troubles, and for bringing the problem to their attention....

[BGBG]

Photolady: Tend to suspect the discs for they are cheaper ones on 2 x 50-disc spindle.... 0.89-1.49 each.
But as I said, all was done all right before. Going to try some other discs from same or different source.
256 RAM if that is what you mean.

I sort of feared -RW also, but for backup it seemed simpler to erase and re-write and not be concerned what to do with all the discs. Still, ,25 each for my DVD-R is not prohibitive.

Am beginning to distrust discs and feel more of a lean toward my external firewire HDD which seems fast, problem free SO-FAR, roomy, and can add or delete or move individual files and folders.
My present plan is to make a pair of Acronis C:/images every 2-4 weeks and keep the latest two dates, and to copy My Documents folder which contains every bit of updated data, Favorites, Downloaded Program Setups, and whatever else.
On a daily basis I copy new things done to a ZIP disk before shutdawn.
Discs are easy but i have had them become inaccessible for reasons unknown, even after I have just accessed and used them.

My discs are from Shop4tech.com, the cheapest DVD-R and DVD-RW offered on 100 disc spindles, and for free shipping when can get it. I have had virtually no problem at all with these discs except a few instances like now and normally trust them. Maybe the software IS at fault somehow, for why when told to make a multisession disc does it make a single session that doesnt work anyway.
Only other DVDRW drive I have is in the laptopwhich also has Nero6 burning software, and I could use that if I need to.

[mommalina]

Which last longer and are more reliable? CDs or floppies?

I had some 7- or 8-year-old floppies, some with data, some blank, that we
used. No problem. Wonder if I'd have had the same luck with CDs.

Lina

[compusimple]

Don't know answer, but logic tells me the cd should last longer since it has no moving parts.

Elliott

[photolady]

Sorry I didn't get back when I asked how much ram. More than 256 in win98SE is sort of overkill. Although, I do have to say my first PC had win98FE and I had 768mb of ram and it ran nicely. You might try a slower burn speed also, if you haven't already.

[photolady]

It should Elliott but you have to take into account the environment, heat and cold, and the fact each disk is spinning pretty fast inside those drives. All this contributes to the life of a cd or dvd for that matter.

[BGBG]

Still working on this. Found I can record a DVD-R multi and disc info says 1669MBused, 2745 MB available. But a warning appears that if mulisession is burned then 1st session only may be readable but not sessions added later, or may not be able to add either, on some DVD-ROM or if earlier than XP. So maybe on 1998 Windows 98se what I am experiencing may be normal. To really know I am going to have to record each disc type , try adding to it, and see if plays in Win98se or XP DVD-ROM.
But still need to know about firmware. I found a DVR-108 firmware revision 1.20B and my version now is 1.04. Is there a benefit or a reason to upgrade firmware if drive is working and no specific problem certain to be fixed? Just because "update is there".
And there is a warning about improper flashing making drive unusable. I know nothing about flashing.
Is it better in this case NOT to upgrade? If any one know about or has opinion, please respond.

[Seth]

But still need to know about firmware. I found a DVR-108 firmware revision 1.20B and my version now is 1.04. Is there a benefit or a reason to upgrade firmware if drive is working and no specific problem certain to be fixed? Just because "update is there".
And there is a warning about improper flashing making drive unusable. I know nothing about flashing.
Is it better in this case NOT to upgrade? If any one know about or has opinion, please respond.

Don't upgrade the firmware unless you have a specific need to do so. The revision should have notes that describes the fix. The fix likely addresses a particular software compatibility issue that will only apply to a small amount of users.