Back up files

[A Ridgeway]

The answer is probably out there. I did search and didn't seem to get exactly my answer. If anyone has time, I'd appreciate some advise.

I have some q's about CDRW's. Seems like a neat idea, but I'm not getting it to work well. I have inCD. I have formatted CDRW. I can c/p or d/d files onto cdrw and they open fine.... provided I've got the cdrw in my burner and I'm using the same computer. What I need is the ability to back up data files that can be read in any cd-rom or buner on any computer without inCD or other burning software. Is there software that makes CDRW's or CDR's work *exactly* like a diskett? Is this possible? What software?

I'm using NERO 5.5.3 for photos using CDR's and it works well. I can retieve them in any cd-rom, burner, or view on dvd that I've tried.

I can burn data files (mostly word processing and spread sheet) to cdr's and read in another burner, but if I need to move to a computer without burner, I'm sunk. Fortunately I have burners in both computers, but there are times when it'd be nice to take one cd as opposed to multi disketts if I'm moving data files to a 3rd computer.

I'm open to using either cdr's or cdrw's for my data files, but I'd like to be able to open in any cd drive. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any input.

ar

[zodiac]

when you format a cd-rw it will burn a little program on the disk,so when it is used on a computer that doesn't have backup sofware installed it will install it.
wether nero burns it i dont know.
i have a HP writer, their backup sofware burns udf reader installer,so check windows explorer on the computer that doesn't have the software installed and see if there is something like that on the disk.
check the web site of your writer if they have back up software.

[ya_jai]

New version of INcd doesn't include UDF reader when format cdrw. So for you solution I'd suggest visit roxio site and download only UDF reader. I'm not sure how big this file is but it might fit into one floopy disk. Everytime you use your cdrw with computer without burner then you can install this UDF reader.

[zodiac]

didn't know if UDF reader was a stantard or if it was just my software.
anyway it will fit on a floppy,the download is only 263kb.
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/udfwin/udfwinupdates.html

[A Ridgeway]

I may have found a solution. Still testing. I'd been trying to use the software that came w/burner or others aquired and just not very happy with the results on data files. Trying to avoiding all things Microsoft (yeah, I know, using windows), at work I finally broke down and tried WindowXP (Roxio) and I think it will work fine for my data files. I backed up all current spread sheets, data base, and word processing files (you notice I did not say Excel, Word, and Win?database). Then stuck them in the cd-rom drive there. I opened several to check. Brought it home and stuck it in cd-rom (not burner) at home on my W98se machine and I think they will open here as well. A little more checking out, but I think I've got it figured out. NERO for photos, WXP/Roxio for data files. Simple, Huh? Thanks for all your input. Ava

[ya_jai]

Just one thing to remind you, this CDRW backup isn't the best way to do. I have heard a lot of complains about CDRW discs become unreadable and/or cannot use anyfile that copy into CDRW with packet writing (INcd, directCD) after a while.

[A Ridgeway]

Yes, I've heard this about cdrw's. I guess I wasn't too clear.

I'm still going to use cdr's for permanent data archive (2 copies). I was just looking for a method to drap/drop files like using a diskett, when moving between different computers. One I use frequently doesn't have a burner and so required multi disketts. If I work on that computer, the files change and must go back to the computer at the office. This will work (hopefully) better as short term interim copy.

It's always a shame when you cannot work nights or weekends because your files are corrupted... If this doen't happen too often then I'll be OK. Otherwise back to disketts, which can also get corrupted pretty frequently.

ar