Old CD-ROM won't read new CD-R a day after burning

[Cat]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie in the world of CD recording. This post is rather long, so I'll
just ask the questions first, and explain later.

Q1: I'd like to know how a cd-rom drive that could read a cdr when freshly
recorded *not* read the same after a day or so. (It can read *pressed* CDs,
though)

Q2: I'd like hints for making cdrs that older CD-ROMs can read.


Here's the situation:

Computer 1: a laptop (OS: Windows 95a) with an ancient pcmcia 8x cd-rom
(Panasonic 783-a, acquired in late 1997). It is used occasionally to
install software, but has been known to play a cd-r (I remember playing a
mp3 cdr sometime in 1998-99, I think). Audio pressed CDs also play fine
(when the computer isn't on, of course). Reading the specs recently, I
discovered it can even manage CD-RWs.

Computer 2: a refurb laptop (2001 era, OS: Windows 2000 sp3) with an
internal dvd/cdrw combo (Device manager says it's a mashita UJDA720)
Contained in the preinstall were ibm RecordNow 3.5 and Easy CD creator Basic
5.3.something. I understand that Easy CD Creator has two components: a
packet writing program (directCD) and a conventional (I think) premastering
component. I can record track-at-once and disc-at-once with the
conventional component. The recorder seems to record in three speeds: 8x,
4x, and 2x.

Anyway, I've been trying out TDK 48x 80min cdrs on Computer 2's cd-recorder
with Easy CD. Of course, the data and audio discs play fine in the
recorder. But on Computer 1's CD-ROM? *That's* the problem. It could read
the first cdr (12MB data, recorded disc-at-once at 8x speed), but not the
next three or four data discs (3 with 300-450mb of data, at 8x, one at 4x,
all recorded disc-at-once). When I recorded the same data at 2x speed, the
cd-rom could read it - at first, but after a day or so, it refuses. It spins
and spins, and windows 95 tells me that the drive isn't ready. But put in a
pressed data or audio CD, and the drive reads it!

According to Easy CD, the cdrs are finalized and can't be recorded onto any
more. I even managed to record an audio cdr that played on a portable audio
cd player over 5 years old, but wouldn't play on the cd-rom.

So, I have several choices:

1. Retire the ancient CD-Rom. Very reluctant. Besides, the supply of pcmcia
CD-ROMs that can still operate under Windows 95 is rather slim right now.

2. Try out another blank CD-R media. Okay, does anyone know what brand I
should use? Nearby office supply and computer stores stock Sony, Memorex,
Verbatim, Maxwell, and generic - which research tells me to avoid. The
*recommended* brands - Mitsumi, Taiyo Yuden (sp?) - I can order online with
a *minimum* of 50, costing at least $40. Pretty expensive for something that
can turn out coasters.

2a. Look for 74 min cdr blanks with a lower maximum recording speed. That's
what I wanted to look for in the first place. But, exclusively online, and
getting harder to find :-()

3. Look for better recording software, or at least software that can make
cdrs playable on older machines. Maybe. The newest Easy CD Creator (7, I
think) requires gobs of ram and hard disk space. And Nero? Amazon.com
customer reviewers either gush over or trash the software completely. Who to
believe? Besides, I'd pick the version barely useable by Win2000 that the
manufacturer doesn't support anymore. And of course, money is at issue here.

4. Learn how to make a cdr that plays on older cd-roms. I'm reading a
recent copy of Andy McFadden's CD-Recordable FAQ (updated 2004-12-5) that is
both enlightening and confusing. I'm sure I'll muddle through trial and
error, but can someone give me a few hints? For example, I understand that I
should avoid packet writing systems, but those naming conventions are so
barbaric!

Anyway, thanks for reading this newbie's post.

[Mike Richter]

Cat wrote:
Hi all, I'm a newbie in the world of CD recording. This post is rather long, so I'll just ask the questions first, and explain later. Q1: I'd like to know how a cd-rom drive that could read a cdr when freshly recorded *not* read the same after a day or so. (It can read *pressed* CDs, though) Q2: I'd like hints for making cdrs that older CD-ROMs can read.

I did read the body (snipped here) and am glad to see you've found the
CD-R FAQ. You may also gain some information from the primer at my WWW site.

Briefly: The problem is likely to be that the 48x media have significant
errors when written at 8x or slower - far off their optimum. That should
be determined by measurement, then media with a better fit to your older
drive should help solve the problem. Another contributor may be head
misalignment.

As to read today, not tomorrow, I strongly suspect temperature a
contributor, particularly in a laptop. It's not uncommon for the drive
to read well when cold but not when hot or vice versa.

If you must maximize readability especially in older machines, the
answer may be in expensive media. Archival blanks are made for medical
records and the like; typically, maximum record speed is 4x; metallizing
is gold; dye is phthalocyanine. A less expensive and more readily
available choice is DigitalAudio blanks made for standalone recorders.
Since they must work at 1x, they are likely to have better performance
at 4x than high-speed blanks. The least expensive media to check out are
from high-quality manufacturers such as Taiyo-Yuden. I use their
80-minute, 24x blanks and find that they give perfect results at 12x and
very good performance at 8x. Cheap media tend to have a sharp optimum in
the neighborhood of rated speed (and are seldom perfect even there).

Mike
--
mrichter@cpl.net
http://www.mrichter.com/

[Cat]

"Mike Richter" <mrichter@cpl.net> wrote in message
news:33dtm4F3uj1g9U1@individual.net...
I did read the body (snipped here) and am glad to see you've found the CD-R FAQ. You may also gain some information from the primer at my WWW
site.

Got it bookmarked!
Briefly: The problem is likely to be that the 48x media have significant errors when written at 8x or slower - far off their optimum.

I was afraid of that. At least I won't have to waste any more money going
back to Staples.
As to read today, not tomorrow, I strongly suspect temperature a contributor, particularly in a laptop. It's not uncommon for the drive to read well when cold but not when hot or vice versa.

Sounds likely. I left one of those "coasters" in the suspect cd-rom this
morning and Win95 was able to recognize it by lunchtime.
If you must maximize readability especially in older machines, the answer may be in expensive media.

[snip very good choices of slower-rated media]

Hey, if the media is reliable enough and readly available, I don't mind
spending some money. Now to find some samples to test out. Thank you for
answering.

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

Cat wrote: Hi all, I'm a newbie in the world of CD recording. This post is rather long, so I'll just ask the questions first, and explain later. Q1: I'd like to know how a cd-rom drive that could read a cdr when freshly recorded *not* read the same after a day or so. (It can read *pressed* CDs, though) Q2: I'd like hints for making cdrs that older CD-ROMs can read.

Check the discs with [CD Speed, Extra, ScanDisc, Surface Scan]. You
want the scan to show all greens:
http://www.cdspeed2000.com/

Since the problem(?) drive can read cd-rw, try with Verbatim
DataLifePlus cd-rw 2x-4x:
http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=A23126&src=PG
(If you try other cd-rw, make sure the speed rating is not faster than
4x.)
Here's the situation: Computer 1: a laptop (OS: Windows 95a) with an ancient pcmcia 8x cd-rom (Panasonic 783-a, acquired in late 1997). It is used occasionally to install software, but has been known to play a cd-r (I remember playing a mp3 cdr sometime in 1998-99, I think). Audio pressed CDs also play fine (when the computer isn't on, of course). Reading the specs recently, I discovered it can even manage CD-RWs. Computer 2: a refurb laptop (2001 era, OS: Windows 2000 sp3) with an internal dvd/cdrw combo (Device manager says it's a mashita UJDA720) Contained in the preinstall were ibm RecordNow 3.5 and Easy CD creator Basic 5.3.something. I understand that Easy CD Creator has two components: a packet writing program (directCD) and a conventional (I think) premastering component. I can record track-at-once and disc-at-once with the conventional component. The recorder seems to record in three speeds: 8x, 4x, and 2x. Anyway, I've been trying out TDK 48x 80min cdrs on Computer 2's cd-recorder with Easy CD. Of course, the data and audio discs play fine in the recorder. But on Computer 1's CD-ROM? *That's* the problem. It could read the first cdr (12MB data, recorded disc-at-once at 8x speed), but not the next three or four data discs (3 with 300-450mb of data, at 8x, one at 4x, all recorded disc-at-once). When I recorded the same data at 2x speed, the cd-rom could read it - at first, but after a day or so, it refuses. It spins and spins, and windows 95 tells me that the drive isn't ready. But put in a pressed data or audio CD, and the drive reads it! According to Easy CD, the cdrs are finalized and can't be recorded onto any more. I even managed to record an audio cdr that played on a portable audio cd player over 5 years old, but wouldn't play on the cd-rom. So, I have several choices: 1. Retire the ancient CD-Rom. Very reluctant. Besides, the supply of pcmcia CD-ROMs that can still operate under Windows 95 is rather slim right now. 2. Try out another blank CD-R media. Okay, does anyone know what brand I should use? Nearby office supply and computer stores stock Sony, Memorex, Verbatim, Maxwell, and generic - which research tells me to avoid. The *recommended* brands - Mitsumi, Taiyo Yuden (sp?) - I can order online with a *minimum* of 50, costing at least $40. Pretty expensive for something that can turn out coasters. 2a. Look for 74 min cdr blanks with a lower maximum recording speed. That's what I wanted to look for in the first place. But, exclusively online, and getting harder to find :-() 3. Look for better recording software, or at least software that can make cdrs playable on older machines. Maybe. The newest Easy CD Creator (7, I think) requires gobs of ram and hard disk space. And Nero? Amazon.com customer reviewers either gush over or trash the software completely. Who to believe? Besides, I'd pick the version barely useable by Win2000 that the manufacturer doesn't support anymore. And of course, money is at issue here. 4. Learn how to make a cdr that plays on older cd-roms. I'm reading a recent copy of Andy McFadden's CD-Recordable FAQ (updated 2004-12-5) that is both enlightening and confusing. I'm sure I'll muddle through trial and error, but can someone give me a few hints? For example, I understand that I should avoid packet writing systems, but those naming conventions are so barbaric! Anyway, thanks for reading this newbie's post.