How to read Direct CD disks without DirCD

ponzan · Mar 20, 2003

listen guy's I don't like it any more than you do but I have to, so don't start telling me how awful it is and do try to help me.

I need to save to my hard drive and open some files at home that has to be saved by Direct CD at work (sorry, it has to be Direct CD, so don't suggest to use other program).

Cause I also dislike EasyCD Kremator suite I use to have Direct CD installed on a secondary partition, but recently I changed my CD burner to found later that it was not supported by Direct CD, and now I can't find a way to read the damm Direct CD disks. This are like 20-40 MB files I'm talking about, so I'm not going to close de CD for every file. What I need is some application in my putter at home, hopefully not conflicting with Nero, Clone CD, etc. who can access non closed Direct CD disks, to copy its files to my hardrive.
Arrowkey CD/DVD diagnostics supposedly would do it, the trial of version 2.02 says so, but I heard that this ArrowKey products are dangerous too, besides I would need the retail version, which I don't want to buy.

So guys, can you suggest a way to read Direct CD non closed disks without Direct CD ?

netman · Mar 20, 2003

go to roxio.com and search for the udf reader. it allows you to read packet written cds without having to have direct cd installed. you will have to register at the site i think to download but it doesn't cost anything or cause a problem.

banzibaby · Mar 20, 2003

Has he tried updating the software.Roxio post regular updates on website

What version U running??

Hope it helps

BaNzI

Ps I was able 2 read directCd discs after swithing 2 nero & InCd.Some say it bad , but i like it.Got a disc from m8 who uses roxio & Incd read & copyed no probs

ponzan · Mar 20, 2003

@ banzi; no luck here with InCD
& Roxio definitely is not supporting my writer (LG GCC-4320B combo CDwriter and DVD player), did checked their database. Also checked other packet writers apps and it seems at this time InCD is the only of this type of programs that is working with this model (actually Nero and InCD comes bundled with this otherwise nice LG)
My system has to be this way cause I like to have 2 hardrives and just have 2 IDE channels; with a fairly nice CD-ROM and the LG combo as burner and DVD player on the 2nd IDE ch)

I understand that UDF readers don't work (did try anyway) because Direct CDs are not UDF until you close then in UDF format, and I said I need to read unclosed Direct CD disks

scarecrow · Mar 20, 2003

Closed DirectCD disks can be read by ANY MS-OS after W95b without the need of any drivers.
Open DirectCD disks can be read fine by Roxio's UDF reader, so the case is that you are doing something wrong.
You just need the UDF reader, a multiread CD-ROM and (at some point) getting rid of DirectCD.

PS: just recalled older DirectCD versions making a nonstandard disk format, one ISO9660 session where UDF reader is present, and one UDF 1.5 session with the burned data. AFAIK this has been changed, but for such disks you can use ISObuster or CD/DVD Inspector/Diagnostic to rip the UDF session to harddisk.

LTR12101B · Mar 20, 2003

My understanding...
A CD-RW in fixed packet, CAN be read by a UDF reader - and you can argue forever as to it being open or closed - I wouls say the session, as seen where UDF reader is present, is CLOSED.

CD-R (variable packet) if not closed, is readable ONLY in a writer (because the session is open), and only by a full DirectCD.

For compatibility, it needs to be closed to ISO9660, but can aslo be opened (another session) to contimue writing with DirectCD - the closed data is readable by most things (but NOT MSCDEX in DOS/Win3.1) - and the open data is compatible only with DirectCD.

ponzan · Mar 20, 2003

LTR12101B said:
My understanding...
A CD-RW in fixed packet, CAN be read by a UDF reader - and you can argue forever as to it being open or closed - I wouls say the session, as seen where UDF reader is present, is CLOSED.

CD-R (variable packet) if not closed, is readable ONLY in a writer (because the session is open), and only by a full DirectCD.

For compatibility, it needs to be closed to ISO9660, but can aslo be opened (another session) to contimue writing with DirectCD - the closed data is readable by most things (but NOT MSCDEX in DOS/Win3.1) - and the open data is compatible only with DirectCD.

this is exactly what I'm taking about, but it seems that ISObuster or CD/DVD Inspector/Diagnostic can read this CD-R (variable packet) not closed disks. CD/DVD Inspector/Diagnostic trials did listed the directory of a non closed DirectCD disk but you need the retail version to save files to your hardrive

But to my surprise I just noticed that after using last CD/DVD Diagnostic trial, the directory of the DirectCD disk was now showing on Windows Explorer and I was able to copy files to my hardrive !!!!!! So I just hope this works all the time

I have to try ISObuster yet.

any further suggestions will be gladly welcome, thanks

scarecrow · Mar 20, 2003

ANY driver that loads in RAM the UDF filesystem should be able to read the open CD's, no matter if the packets are fixed or not. The case with CDRDiagnostic proves that- all that tis program do is loading its own proprietary driver which can read UDF structures. ISObuster mounts any UDF volumes too, but not via explorer. Anyway, both should work fine, and both are NOT "a full DirectCD" . Roxio UDF reader should do exactly the same, unless it's buggy or crippled- I'll admit though that I don't use this one or any Roxio application, but both options are highly probable: the company reputation alone is enough proof.

ponzan · Mar 21, 2003

scarecrow is right cause I was mistaken bout that particular disk, it wasn't an open DirectCD disk, it was already closed, so any UDF driver would read it.

Anyway I tryed InCD, Ahead UDF Reader and even dreadfull Roxio UDF reader but none worked with an actual open DirectCD disk.

ISObuster1.3 was able to open the disk directory but you need a registered version to save files to your hardrive. ISObuster 1.2 failed, just coudn't read the disk.

So it's seems I'm just gone need to see if I can install another burning program in the putter at work, which may get me in troubles cause that's a dedicated NT system just for some medical diagnostic procedeures

LTR12101B · Mar 21, 2003

Try using CD-RW media and the UDF reader should work without problems - other than the inherent instability of CD-RW media - but ok as a file carrier if it's not your only chance!

Is the CD-R session from DCD "Closed to UDF 1.5", or "Closed to read on any" - and was compression used?

ponzan · Mar 21, 2003

@LTR... I'll try with CR-RW. Don't remember closed to what. Thanks for your input

banzibaby · Mar 21, 2003

No probs M8.Anytime.We all here 2 help.Hope U get it sorted soon.I use InCD with CDRW, but only as short term storage, but had no pribs other than sometimes having 2 format the disc twice??

BaNzI

scarecrow · Mar 21, 2003

The good thing about inCD is that it has a "safe burn" option.
The bad thing is that this option doesn't work.

The-poacher · Mar 21, 2003

Tee Hee

banzibaby · Mar 21, 2003

Never new that 1 cause i never had 2 use it.I only disable the startup sreen & mount messages.Any idea why it dont work scarecrow??.the only thing i dont like is the fact U cant use cdr's like in DirectCD, which is a handy feature.

BaNzI

scarecrow · Mar 22, 2003

Safe burn simply doesn't work. It just take ages to burn, supposedly detecting bad sectors on the CDRW and bypassing them, but after burning (speed is some 0.4X on a bad CDRW) and try to copy the "safely" burned file to disk you get a multitude of read errors.
The same feature also exists in VOB's Instant Write (the one in the latest Instant CD/DVD 6.5 version). But there are some differences:
- the Instant Write feature DOES work- and it is way faster than the inCD one.
- Instant Write is a real bitch- it hardly allows any other burning app working properly when installed.
So, my choice is using NONE of them.

banzibaby · Mar 22, 2003

Cheers 4 the info scarecrow.I never knew it caused so many probs

But i make double sure i stay away from that option.Does it depend on quality of cdrw or is it typical nero bugs??

Thanx 4 the warning though

BaNzI

scarecrow · Mar 22, 2003

It does not have any relation with Nero- those are typical problems of the packet writing applications- ANY of them.
Mount Rainier is supposed to be the cure, but up to now it does not seem to attract much attention.

ponzan · Mar 22, 2003

I was told CDRoller might also do the trick, I'll try to get my hands on it. Also pending trial with CDRW instead CDR disks.

this is still an unresolved mind freaking issue

thanks to all sharing knowledge here

VIPER_1069 · Mar 22, 2003

has nobody suggested using ISOBUSTER or CD MAGE or CDR INSPECTOR or other similar disk interrogation tool ?!

just thought of another CDR DIAGNOSTIC !?