DVD-Software.info

[SeaBrz]

Hi, everyone -- My first post here, but I've enjoyed reading and
learning a lot from lurking for a few days.

Here's my dilemma: a few years ago, I thought I was doing the RIGHT
thing by backing up hundreds of photos from my "getting older everyday"
Win98 PC. Because it seemed easier at the time, I used an external HP
CD-Writer unit rather than installing an internal burner.

Now I'm desperately trying to recover those photos, but can't find
anything that can open them. I've tried my three DVD and/or CD drives
on two different WinXP computers, and although all acknowledge that
there is occupied disk space on the CDs (size reported seems
appropriate), none will allow me to open or do anything with the files.


Unfortunately, the HP CD-Writer is long gone, and I'm at a loss to know
what to do next. I just had a major family death in the family and I
need some of these photos to do a tribute, but I'm at a loss on what to
do next. I'm thinking about taking them to a local PC shop that has a
great record for recovering lost data, but thought I'd check here
first.

Thanks so much for reading and any help you can provide.

JB

[HornBlower]

The only way this should be happening is if you used packet writing software
(CD-RW). Otherwise you would have done it in a format that should still be
readable today by any CD drive.

The other possibility is that the discs have done bad.

Like you I backed up my photos to CDs a few years ago and when I tried to
access them a few months ago discovered that about half the disc went bad. I
lost a lot of photos. The rest of them now reside on a hard drive.

If you used packet writing software with CD-RW, then you need to get the
packet writing software and install it on your current system. It is
unfortunate the the different packet writing programs are not
cross-compatible.


"SeaBrz" <jballard2@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:1130898925.865404.89400@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[c]

There is a small file that you can install on your system to allow reading a
UDF formatted disk. This will allow you to read most of the packet style
formatted disks. I would try the Adaptec version first, since the HP CD
writers use the Adaptec/Roxio software in their bundle.

Here is one from Roxio(Adaptec):
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc/software_updatesv4_2.jhtml

And one from Nero:
http://ww2.nero.com/nero6/enu/Support_Tools_InCD_4_Reader.html
Just a note about the Nero reader. I have just read several sites that
people are complaining about the performance of this reader. Nero's burning
software is the best IMO, but it's possible that the reader leaves a bit to
be desired.

You may also want to read this from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321640

Chris


"HornBlower" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:5qW9f.1750$te3.29075@typhoon.sonic.net...