Multi-Read

[David P]

Got quick question about multi-read and CD-RW. If a CD-ROM supports Multi-Read, does this mean it can read a RW CD that's been formatted and it being used for data backup? Such a CD could be used with DirectCD. Or does Multi-Read only mean the drive can read a RW disc that's been properly closed off? I have a Samsung 3231 32x CD-ROM and it can play an audio CD off a RW disc, but it won't read my backup CD's. Thanks for you help!

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David Peters, CE
Milwaukee School of Engineering
"If it's not on fire, it's a software problem."

[gbiddle]

David P:
Your CDROM should be able to read a CDRW disk used for data storage and the disk still be open.
Try this..... go to this link and download this UDF reader program from Adaptec (UDFRINST.EXE) if you are using Direct CD, and then your CDROM should be able to read any CDRW. I have a AOpen multi-read CDROM but if I format my hard drive I cannot read a CDRW disk until I install this reader program from a floppy. I store all my latest drivers, Favorites, Email Address book, Direct CD upgrades, EZCD Creator upgrades, and other upgrades on a CDRW and take the old ones off as new ones come out, then if I need to reinstall I have everything on one CDRW and can get back going pretty quick.
I learned this the hard way, when I started using my HP8100 my old CDROM was suppose to be a multi-read (It was a Mitsumi.) and it would not read a CDRW so I went to a computer show and saw a AOPEN CDROM that stated on the box it was multi-read so I purchased it, installed it and it would not read a CDRW either. Then the research started...... you know, read all the newsgroups, ask questions, go to the Adaptec site and explore and I discovered uh.. oh.. you need this program installed with Direct CD to read a CDRW. Execute program.... problem solved. Good luck and let me know back if this solves your problem.

[David P]

Well, once I saw the word UDF reader, I knew I had seen that before. Then I realized I had skipped that install when I installed DirectCD/EZ Creator. http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/redface.gif I installed it and it works great. Thanks, gbiddle.

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David Peters, CE
Milwaukee School of Engineering
"If it's not on fire, it's a software problem."

[Hetfield]

I can't seem to read CD-RWs on my Mat****a 8X CDROM... probably because it doesn't have multi-read capabilities. I don't know how to tell if it does.

Let's assume it doesn't, is there some upgrade or anything like that to make it read CDRWs? Must I install DirectCD and UDF to have the disc read in the first place?

Please help.

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Wherever I May Roam

[David P]

If a drive can't read a RW disc, there is no way to upgrade it so it can. I think drives that can read RW discs have more powerful lasers. Hell, some older drives can even read CD-R's. Check your manufacturer's site, as the drive's specs should say if it can read CD-RW discs. If it can, then you can go ahead and install a UDF reader. You don't need to have DirectCd installed or anything, as it seems to patch something in explorer to enable UDF reading.

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David Peters, CE
Milwaukee School of Engineering
"If it's not on fire, it's a software problem."

[gbiddle]

David P: You're welcomed. Makes my day to find out one of my replies has helped someone out. Most of the time when I read a post someone else has already helped out on a problem someone has.

Hetfield: David P is corrrect about your CDROM I think it will be too old to be a multi-read CDROM. You can download the UDF reader file from Adaptec or from your Direct CD program CD install the file and see if it will work. If it doesn't you go to Add/Remove programs and remove the UDF reader, it is a 32 bit program and can be un-installed from there.

[Hetfield]

well thanks you guys.

Will I find Matshu****a under Panasonic? Come to think of it, it might even be Matsonic.

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Wherever I May Roam