Copying files with one cd-rom drive?? 1

[manhunter2826]

Hi again. On most new desktops, two cd-rom drives are provided for disc-to-disc copying. However, ordinarily on a laptop you only get one cd-rom/rewriter. So therefore disc-to-disc is not possible. Yes, I know one can copy the entire contents of a cdrom onto the hardrive and then subsequently copy/write these files onto a blank cdrom, but I've always thought that produces errors etc. What am I missing here?? Can someone tell me the best/ideal way to overcome this (apart from buying an external usb drive) Thanks for your help.

 

[Diancecht]

If I remember OK, most copy programs provide the option to do that, and they write a image to the hard drive before copying it back to the CD.

Honestly, I don't see why that wouldn't work. Actually, even with two CDs, probably some information will be copied to the hard drive, at least in the pagefile file.


Cheers,
Dian

 

[Grenage]

On most new desktops, two cd-rom drives are provided for disc-to-disc copying

Really? I think you'll find they are in the minority.

Regardless, there is no issue with saving the image to the drive first.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[vacunita]

The important thing to note here is that the Copying programs create images. which is a faithful representation of the original medium. Copying the contents of the CD through Explorer onto the hard drive and then onto another CD is not the same thing. Therefore using this method will not guarantee a 100% correct representation of the original media.
This is specifically true for bootable CDs. A standard explorer copy will not copy over the booting mechanisms. so you are left with a non bootable CD.

Copy Programs such as Nero or Roxio etc. create images that maintain these features for the copies they produce.


Other than that, copying to the hard drive, is not only necessary, as all copy programs do this regardless of how many CD drives they have, but should cause no problem if done correctly.


----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[ArizonaGeek]

You could always get a copy of WinISO and create an ISO of the CD/DVD and the burn the image to disk.

I'd agree with Grenage, I can't remember the last time I saw a desktop with more than one rom drive. I always thought having two drives was a waste of space and another place for dust and heat to build up.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[manhunter2826]

Vacunita: that's what I meant to say, but in no way did I articulate it as well as you. Thanks for that info.

Arizona: thanks, that ISO software looks really useful. Does anyone know of a freeware alternative??

Thanks all for your help.

 

[Grenage]

http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[manhunter2826]

Thanks Grenage: that was quick. Star* for you.

 

[Grenage]

No problem, I hit enter a little to early on that

I've used that software on most of my machines for a long time now, it's very minimal and does exactly what it says on the tin!

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[manhunter2826]

Just an update: downloaded the nifty software as suggested by Grenage and it works a treat.