CD-R vs CD-RW disks

[frankimb]

I have an Acer CD-ReWriter drive and a regular CD drive. When I copy files on to a blank CD-R disk, the data can be read from my regular CD drive. When I copy data on to a blank CD-RW disk, the data can only be read from the CD-ReWriter and not the regular CD drive. Anyone know why this is? Thank you.

[RAR]

I have had them same problem. Somebody told me that's just the nature of the CD-RW disc, but they couldn't tell me why. I accepted that and just use CD-R's to either copy or backup data I need to read on other computers.

I also have had difficulty when I try to burn audio cd's. When I copy selected tracks from a music cd it either doesn't work at all or there are drop-outs and other errors when it is played back.

Hopefully somebody out there knows the technical reason the CD-RW's work that way or if there is a way to make them work.

[AuraEdge]

I think that CD-RW's have duller ink on the back, therefore making the drives that read them more sparse. Theres some drives that will not read either CD-rs or CD-rw's
and theres some that read both (most CD drives) and theres ones that wont read CD-RW's and will reald CD-r's. Older lasers cant read off the back when its a different kind of ink

[lost1]

OK, I'll give this a stab. From what I understand, when you finish creating a CD-R, the disk is "closed" by the software in ISO 9660 format, which allows it to be read in just about any CD player. CD-RW's use a different format, which limits the type of player they can be read in (other CD-RW's and some multi-read CD players). I read this in the literature that came with my CD writer, so hopefully it's somewhat accurate. /forum/smile.gif

[reddog4629]

Go to www.adaptec.com (http://www.adaptec.com) and download a UDF(Universal Disk Format)reader for your cd-rom drive. Worked for me on two older machines!

[This message has been edited by reddog4629 (edited 09-21-99).]

[socalgal]

Taken from
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/cd/cdrw.htm

"There are a number of compatibility issues associated with CD-RW. First and foremost is the fact that CD-RW media are not backward-compatible with many regular CD-ROM drives. Due to the lower reflectivity of the CD-RW media, regular drives can have problems reading them. In essence, the CD-RW media just does not emulate the pits and lands of a regular pressed CD well enough to fool a standard reader.


"Another problem is that CD-RW media are recorded in a multi-session format. Single-session disks are written an entire disk at a time, which obviously isn't practical for a rewriteable medium. Many regular CD-ROM drives are multi-session compatible, but many are not."


Basically, if you have an older CD-ROM drive, it may not be able to read the CD-RW media.

Also:

http://saturn.las.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/faq/archive/cdrom.cd-recordable.part3.html

Subject: [4-6] My CD-ROM drive doesn't like *any* CD-R discs
(1998/04/06)

I would try what reddog suggested.

[darrell]

You are right. Its the ink they use for the CD-RW. It is darker and somehow makes it able to be re-written. Most older CD-Roms cant read this dark ink because the laser isnt bright enough to read it. Most of the newer drives will read them though. They are called Multi-Read drives. Most of the older ones will read CD-R, but not the CD-RW. And on most with using CD-R discs, it really doesnt matter if you finalize the CD or not. I have a Mitsumi 12x thats a few years old and it reads the CD-R's just fine, but wont even look twice at the CD-RW. A good multi-read can be had for under $50. check out www.pricewatch.com for the best prices.

[codybear]

it also has alot to do with the quality of the disks you use as different disks use different inks and with different colors as well and depth of ink.......i've had very little trouble with yamaha CD Rewritable disks and older drives...cant say they have totally eliminated the problem but very few of the older drives i've put them into will not read them....just a suggestion as well as my experience


check your email for some links to help you out

[This message has been edited by codybear (edited 09-20-99).]

[a Bill]

Use the UDF program suggested earlier. It's free and it works.