data cds read as audio

[gmolivier]

I am a digital photographer. I have been archiving my jpgs on cds since 1999. Recently, reviewing old data, I have encounterd 20 or so cds which my computer reads as audio...they are, in fact, jpgs. It is possible that I have accidently burned they in the audio mode. Is there any way to retrieve this data? I use Win98, HP CD Writer Plus hardware with Adaptec Easy CD Creator 3.5c. Thanks

[Inertia]

No, it isn't possible to write JPG data files in audio mode with EZCD Creator.

Your problem is related to the advice at I inserted a CD-ROM but Windows thinks it's an audio CD.

If you have the Roxio UDF reader loaded, try uninstalling it or renaming \Windows\System\Iosubsys\Udfreadr.vxd.

[CDRecorder]

Welcome to CDRLabs!

To me, it sounds like your discs may be corrupted. I don't see how you could possibly have burned JPEG files in audio format.

Do you have access to any other CD-RW drive? If so, try reading the problem discs back in it.

[gmolivier]

[quote="Inertia"]No, it isn't possible to write JPG data files in audio mode with EZCD Creator.

...well, you're correct...I tried to deliberately burn jpgs in audio mode and couldn't.
I'm not too concerned about writing new cd's, but of saving old ones. I have tried one of my bad "audio/data" CDs on other compters (a Win98 & WinNT [i think]) but they couldn't read them either. Suggestions.......?

[CDRecorder]

Did you try to read them back in a CD-RW drive or a CD-ROM? I'd recommend reading them in a fairly new CD-RW drive (i.e not more than about a year old) if you haven't already. This is because CD-RW drives read better than CD-ROMs, so they are more likely to help recover your data.

[Inertia]

You could try the freeware IsoBuster to read and recover the JPG files. It's a very good file recovery tool.

If you can extract the files to your hard drive with IsoBuster, you can reburn them for storage.

[gmolivier]

If you can extract the files to your hard drive with IsoBuster, you can reburn them for storage.[/quote]

Thanks for the info...I downloaded IsoBusters and it helped some, but not enought...it may be that my cd's are too badly corrupt to save...they may represent some left in the sun, for instance....I don't know what I did. I know now that I need to study about cds, treat them better.

A separate question: When dvd burners become cheap (will they), is that a better media for storing data than cds? Not just bigger, but better.

[CDRecorder]

I don't know if DVD is more reliable, but I know that it is very important to use high-quality blank CDs if you want your data to last for a long time.

Also, it's important to use a burner with good writing quality, such as the Lite-On LTR-52327S.

[gmolivier]

I don't know if DVD is more reliable, but I know that it is very important to use high-quality blank CDs if you want your data to last for a long time.

Also, it's important to use a burner with good writing quality, such as the Lite-On LTR-52327S.

Thanks for the info I read a few days ago (on CDFreaks.com, I think) that any CD media can be good or bad, name brand-no brand, all the same. If that is not true, what brands should I use if I decide to keep my old HP CD Writer Plus (budget, you know)? I will look into a new machine, but will have to put off buying it. I am ready now to buy blank CDs.....thanks for your advice.

[CDRecorder]

I read a few days ago (on CDFreaks.com, I think) that any CD media can be good or bad, name brand-no brand, all the same.

As far as I know, this is really not true. I would recommend media made by Taiyo Yuden (such as most Fuji media in the US), as it works well in most burneres. You can find information about what media is made by what companies here.

Also, if you are looking into buying a new CD-RW drive, check this out: Lite-On 52/32/52 CD-RW - $14.99 @ Circuit City.