Roxio Direct CD files "trapped" on unfinalized CDR

[CobraPilot]

I previously used Roxio's EZCD Creater and Direct CD before I found I liked Nero better. I also learned that the two programs should NOT be on the same PC, so I deleted Roxio.

Now my problem is that I've rediscovered some unfinalized Direct CD discs with files on them that I'd really like to get back without having to uninstall Nero and reinstall Roxio.

Roxio's Direct CD seems to be the only software that allows "drag and drop" to CDRs. All others seem to be CDRW only.

I tried ISOBUSTER Pro, which could see the files, but when I tried to extract them, I received an error code of "File System Error 1026" (none of the various causes of that error code fit my situation) or I got a large file with the extension .TAO and have no idea what to do next.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[scottyblackspider]

CDRoller (http://cdroller.com/) is an awesome program that recovers data from damaged disks as well as from unfinalized disks, created by packet-writing software such as Roxio's Direct CD. The software isn't free, but it is a great utility to have on hand.

[Cornucopia]

Couldn't you just do this?:

1. Uninstall Nero
2. Reinstall Roxio/DirectCD
3. Finalize Discs
4. Copy to std. ISO9660 CDR's
5. Uninstall Roxio/DirectCD
6. Reinstall Nero

Scott

[Rich86]

You might try downloading and installing the udf reader module temporarily to copy the files to your hard disc.

http://www.download.com/Adaptec-UDF-Reader-Driver/3000-2100_4-9497911.html?tag=lst-0-1

If you want, you can then update this reader to the latest with the download off the Roxio site.

[CobraPilot]

Couldn't you just do this?:

1. Uninstall Nero
2. Reinstall Roxio/DirectCD
3. Finalize Discs
4. Copy to std. ISO9660 CDR's
5. Uninstall Roxio/DirectCD
6. Reinstall Nero

Scott

Theoretically, yes. Practically, not very feasible:

o I'd have to also do all the upgrades to Roxio so DirectCD would recognize my much-newer CD burner (vs. the one I had when I made the discs). Doable, but a pain.
o Uninstalling/reinstalling Nero would mean resorting to the original version and then applying a lot of subsequent updates, some of which I learned (but have since forgotten which ones) do not work well with my system which now performs just as I want it.

One of the other suggestions, CDRoller, has some possibilities, but cheapskate that I am, would prefer to go the freeware route (wouldn't we all?).

Although I'm not sure I tried the exact UDF reader that was also suggested, I did try more than one UDF reader (and one WAS from Adaptec), and none solved my problem.

Thanks to all for the ideas so far!

[photoman2]

You might want to try Isobuster, but you will need to use the registerd (pay) version.

Jeff

[CobraPilot]

Update: I've confirmed that the UDF reader (link provided by Rich86) does not read these DirectCD discs, although the program is from Roxio.

However, when installing the reader, it mentions only CDRW. My files are "trapped" on CDRs.

Anyone else suggest something? I may have to beg, borrow, steal, or build another computer just to load my old copy of Easy CD Creator . . . . . Would sure hate to have to do that . . . .

[jman98]

CDRoller is available as a trial download with no need to pay. I have no idea when it expires or if it has limited functionality, but based on the posts here I suspect the original poster may have missed this. A free trial should be OK even for cheapskates

[hech54]

CDRoller and ISOBuster may be your only hope I'm afraid.

[SingSing]

Anyone else suggest something? I may have to beg, borrow, steal, or build another computer just to load my old copy of Easy CD Creator . . . . . Would sure hate to have to do that . . . .

I assume you have an old harddisk kicking around, format it and new install XP (grace period for 30 days without a license), and Roxio, get your file out, write into a CDR as a data file, then disengage. It is just a three hours work.

[smearbrick1]

Couldn't you just do this?:

1. Uninstall Nero
2. Reinstall Roxio/DirectCD
3. Finalize Discs
4. Copy to std. ISO9660 CDR's
5. Uninstall Roxio/DirectCD
6. Reinstall Nero

Scott

Instead of three hours work, the above-referenced steps will take you maybe half that.

Christ, you could have had all of this done in the amount of time it has taken you to post.

[CobraPilot]

o CD Roller's free version is crippleware. You can determine if files are extractable, but you can't extract them.

o As to the "3 hrs vs 'half that'" comment: Reinstalling Nero is not quite that simple, as my previous post indicates, which perhaps was overlooked.

[AlanHK]

Reinstalling Nero is not quite that simple, as my previous post indicates, which perhaps was overlooked.

I haven't tried this, but the main conflict is between Nero's InCD and Roxio's DirectCD, both being packet drivers. You could uninstall just InCD, and install just DirectCD. If that doesn't work:
If you have a partition free on your HD you could install a new version of Windows as a dual boot, install DirectCD in that, then uninstall and delete the whole partition after you've finalised the DirectCD disks. That really doesn't take too long, you don't need to bother with any updates or service packs.

Actually, I've just upgraded my Windows from Win98, where I used DirectCD for many years for backups, and had planned to get DirectCD working on Win2k. But I see a lot of negative posts about it....

[CobraPilot]

What you suggest about simply uninstalling just InCD and installing just DirectCD is one of those "duh" ideas that I'd completely overlooked!

My hesitancy to mess with ANY part of Nero has been influenced by a bad experience I had with an update that went sour, prevented much of the pre-update usability, and required a LOT of work to get back to where I'd been before (and one part I'm STILL trying to debug).

As luck would have it, though, a friend of mine has offered me an older PC that I plan to snap up before he changes his mind and use it to reinstall DirectCd.

BTW: To all who've provided suggestions, many thanks. In partial repayment: I found an alternative to Isobuster called BadCopy. Like Isobuster's demo, its demo version is crippleware, but it will tell you if the files are salvageable with the paid version.

However, as I mentioned in a private e-mail to one responder, for the cost of Isobuster or BadCopy, I could buy a used PC at the monthly computer show, install Roxio, and solve my problem that way. Of course, both Isobuster and BadCopy have usefulness beyond just a DirectCD file recovery which a used PC wouldn't provide.

[Sartori]

This is actually a problem I have as well but Ive been putting it off for about 4 years so far apart from thinking about it now and again . My latest idea was to make a copy of the registry , install a new one or delete all references to Nero in it , which would overcome the Nero problem , install my old Roxio stuff , get the stuff off the discs , then reinstall the old registry . (I have done something like this before , so it should work) .
How to do some of this ? I was going to download helpfiles off the net for some of it , burn to disc and read them in my time at work (yea I know some of that aint "easy" , but if you know DOS it can get you out of most shit , most of the time - so does having a laptop to look up any hitches on the net of course) .