This is not to say that you cannot erase the CD-RW and re-use it. You should be able to do that. It is designed for that. Somewhere in your CD burning software, there should be a function to wipe the CD. Look around in your software.

But for now, remember that you can't pick and choose which files you would like to delete - but you can erase the whole disc and start over.

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Sorry to sound so damn dumb-but I never used the CD-RW until it was suggested on Tech Talk.

Edited to add...
I found it-it's called Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.
Do I need to format each disk before I use it to prevent the "read only"?

Edited by - AztecGold11 on 3/7/2006 3:31:42 PM

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Now It sounds like you might be saving and deleting files
on a consistent basis. If so you may want to concider buying
a 1gb USB Flash drive. It should save you time and hassle of
erasing cd-rw

Kukm4

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I was wondering if an external hard drive would work for you, but that could be misleading without more info from you.

Tell us what you are doing, and let's see what you get in replies.

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If using CD-RWs, I suggest backing things up to individual folders on the CD. For example:

"03.01.06 My Docs Back Up"
"03.04.06 My Docs Back Up"
"03.07.06 My Docs Back Up"

Can't just delete the old folders, have to format it and start over, but still works and u don't have to format it every time you do a back up (provided you back up isn't 700 MB)

"What? The land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy" - RATM

Edited by - PL on 3/7/2006 7:43:34 PM

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Does your computer have a floppy drive? and how big are those data files that you need to have back ups of? If they are less than 1.4 meg, you could simply save them to a floppy. This is quick and easy.

Even if they are over 1.4 meg, you might consider it, because text files, etc., can really be compressed with something like WinZip. You might be able to get them onto a floppy. If you have a floppy drive, it is worth checking out.

Next idea, with minimal changes to your hardware, would be to follow PL's suggestion. Whenever you want to make a back up copy, save it/them to a different directory on the CD. Leave the CD "open" (vs. closed) when you burn it, so you can add more later.
Ask PL how much space leaving a CD open consumes though - I don't remember. I think it is quite a bit.

If you have a few CD-RW discs, this procedure should work fine for you. When you eventually fill one with copies from different dates, start on another CD-RW. When you fill it, then erase the first one. You can rotate like this for a long time.

PL mentioned USB jump drives. Have you priced them?
If you don't mind spending a few dollars, this piece of equipment could be very easy for you to use. I read somewhere that they are not recommended for serious back up use. Before you go this route, ask around if they are reliable enough for your needs, and be sure your computer and operating system are compatible with them.
Some examples:
1 gigabyte for around $40.
500 meg for around $25.
128 meg for less than $10.

Probably the best solution would be another hard drive. Also the most expensive. You could install another internal HD, or use an external USB HD. If you have other uses for another HD, then this might be the way to go.

So you have a few options. Now you need to consider and balance cost, ease of use, and reliability. :)

If it were me, and since I have a floppy drive, I would try that first. If not that, and if I had been wanting an external HD anyway, then this would put me over the edge and I'd buy the external HD. If not this, and I'd just be buying something just for this purpose only - backing up the date records you mentioned, - then I'd look into the USB flash drive. Like PL said, with any of these methods, you can point and click, save and delete, copy and move, etc. , just like you are used to with your present internal HD.

Edited by - willywilly on 3/9/2006 11:18:47 AM

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What I would do is use a combo of things. Use the USB for regular backups and then take those backups and put them on a CD after a certain period of time.

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I've heard, more then once, stories about Zip drive disks failing. i.e. the "click of death". I've only used Zip disks a few times, and have always had good luck with them.

But old fashioned floppies have almost always worked well for me. The exception being the 100 pack no-name cheapo-s.
They did have a higher failure rate. Brand name floppies always worked well for me.

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I worked as a computer tech for 2 years in a local store. You would be surprised at how many folds would come in with failed floppies. And not just the no name brands: Fuji, Imation and other names brands all had issues. Run over to a Best Buy (Geek Squad) or a local computer repair joint and see if they like floppies They are notoriously bad around - around here anyway

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I was speaking only from personal experience. Then again, I don't store floppies in the sun on the dashboard of my car, stick them to the fridge with a magnet, or zap them with static on cold winter days. I wonder how many people do dumb stuff to them, then claim they fail.

The day of the floppy is passing quickly anyway. Files today are all huge , and media with greater capacity is necessary. For AztecGold, I mentioned them only because if they have the capacity, it would be another option to consider.

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There are drives that do everything DVD+/- DVD+/-RW and DVD-RAM so it's relatively cheap to upgrade.

I'm thinking of doing this myself. Anyone have any thoughts on backing up with DVD-RAM?

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I was trying to say customers.... lmao

and as for the floppies, I have seen the stored perfectly and fail (mine) and then seen tem on the flipside, submersed in water and forgot in a car... lol All of which created dead data.

I do agree everything is big these days, but many computers don't even have floppies anymore, so the best is CD-R/W and/or a USB drive.

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Hope Aztec is following along.

Dreamer: I don't know anything about DVD-RAM. Hope somebody else comments/discusses it soon here.

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Do I REALLY need anything else until I replace my PC? I added memory so I have 640 MB ram.

{I wish I had bought an external HD instead of the 2nd internal I have to install.}

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One good drop and its dead.... My USB drive on the other hand has been through the washer and dropped a multitude of time - no failure yet - knock on wood

And Aztec, that DVD-ROM is NOT a burner and I would still recommend backing up the stuff you back up to that second hard drive weekly or bi-weekly to CD-Rs.

As I have told my customers in the past, run your computer as if it won't boot up next time you go to use it. I know it sounds grim, but I like to keep folks in a constant state of backup. I have had WAY too many people whine and complain when there's nothing I can do to help them outside of sending them to a data recovery specialist - and that is some serious cash. We're talking 1000's of dollars.

"What? The land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy" - RATM

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That will be an opinionated answer. You've already got my opinion, and PL's.
The only one that counts is yours. :)

It is up to you if you want to spend a 10 to 45 bucks on a USB flash drive, or if you want to use the hardware you already have.

After you decide and proceed, tell us how it is working for you.

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