win311 cdrom r/w format question

[bjdobs]

trying to transfer some midi files to an old 486 running win311 ... I tried to make a cd on a R/W disk but cannot seem to get win311 to recognize it ... I think an R disk will work but seems a waste just to transfer 3MB of files

Is there a format for the R/W disks that will work on these older systems? Maybe even a generic driver?

 

[lideho]

Could be the cdrom in the 486 isn't capable of reading cdrw. If you only have 3MB of files, why not just use the floppy ?

 

[bjdobs]

Now there is the disconnect in technology ... Floppy Drives are no longer being shipped with newer systems plus the older systems don't have USB support ... so I guess its back to basics and do a Serial and or parallel transfer using old faithfulls like xtlink, laplink etc.

 

[edemiere]

bjdobs:

Seems like a waste for an "R" disk? At about 3 cents a disc? And the time you've spent trying to get RW to work is valued at what? Not sure what your time is worth, but I assure you that it's worth more than 3 cents.

Cheers!

 

[bjdobs]

Thanx edemiere for that brilliant time is money diatribe ... Sorry I wasted your time! ... not sure what planet u live on ... CDR's may be 3 cents to make, however, where I live, u have to buy a bundle of CDR's on top of a Record Industry surcharge for all recordable media ... not something I wish to support at any price. Furthermore I try very hard not to subcribe to needless waste ... I follow the 3 R's whenever possible; Recycle, Repair and Reuse!

 

[edfair]

You could, of course, switch the drive from machine to machine. There are ongoing swap issues using cd-rws and no guarantee that any specific drive will be able to read one.
But that is another time issue.
Lap-link is one way, Or the interlnk/intersrv from DOS. Or several networking solutions using serial ports.

Seems like the manufacturers want to save the $3 to be able to sell them cheaper, and the related support issues. I used to say it would be a cold day when I got a machine without a floppy, but it has already happened. It was floppy capable, so now has one.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[ANFPS26]

You have to have a multi-read CD-ROM and a UDF reader program to read CD-RWs. I doubt if the old 486 Win3.11 would pass either requirement.

Jim

 

[cdogg]

bjdobs,

Maybe not 3¢ a piece, but surely you're not paying much more than 10¢ are you? Even so, you don't have to waste the entire disc. Make it a multisession CD-R allowing you to add data to it later, to fill up the other 600+MB.

If you truly believe that a parallel connection is worth your time and accordance with the 3 R's, then by all means do it! But the advice edemiere gave you makes more sense (pardon the pun) from a professional perspective, of which there is hardly any reason to fuss over 25¢ or less...


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[cdogg]

CD-RW discs are likely the problem here. Older CD-ROMs, even from the Pentium I era had issues with CD-RW. I've never seen a 4x or slower CDROM read a CD-RW disc. A Ricoh 8x CDROM did for me once, but mostly support for CD-RW didn't start until 16x CD-ROMs were popular.

CD-R discs are definitely more compatible, seeing that many work in CD players manufactured in the early to mid 90's.

Remember, Windows 3.11 could read store-bought CD-ROMs just fine. Therefore, as long as you burn in the Joliet format and use decent quality media, that shouldn't be a problem.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884