I always make back-up CDs but for some reason I can’t add information to discs that I’ve already started even though I know there’s lots of room on there. Why won’t it let me do that? I also can’t open the files I saved on a back-up DVD. There is a pop up menu talking about formatting. What’s that all about? Sorry I don’t know a lot about this stuff.
"I always make back-up CDs but for some reason I can’t add information to discs that I’ve already started even though I know there’s lots of room on there. Why won’t it let me do that?" Answer-->Did you create them as "multi-session"? In order to create discs that you intend to use as readable but add data to later, you must create the disc as "multi-session. there is an option in Nero for doing this when doing the first burn to the disc. This option must be selected on the FIRST BURN. "I also can’t open the files I saved on a back-up DVD. There is a pop up menu talking about formatting. What’s that all about?" Answer--> Well, it could be a lot of things. Your description is a little vague. How did you create the disc? What is the EXACT error message that you are getting. Are you seeing any file structure at all? (files and folders) Did you verify the disc when creating it? "Sorry I don’t know a lot about this stuff." Answer-->It's OK not to know. That's the reason that these forums exists. Through this you will also learn what information you need to provide in order that others can try to help you with an answer.
Sorry that took so long. I always check the 'multisession' box when I burn something. I just burned a CD now to refresh my memeory. Can you explain how I can take a snapshot of my screen and then post it on here. That way I can show you the message i get when I try to open one of my other CDs.
"I also can’t open the files I saved on a back-up DVD." Multi-session DVDs are not suppoted by all readers. Multi-session DVDs may not be read by some readers until finalized. If you create a multi-session CD, what steps are you using to try to add files to it? If you put it in Nero, is it recognized as a multi-session CD created by Nero? Those may be your problems.
When I want to add files to a CD I open Nero. On the left where there are the choices: Data, Music, Video, Project - I picked 'Data'. Then, to the right of that I pick 'Data CD'. It open the disc content and I normally see all the files and folders that are already on there, but in this case I don't see anything, which made me suspicious. I would then pick the files I want to add and burn them. This has always worked in the past, except with CDs that have music on them. When I put the CD in my drive and just try to open it I see the files and folders listed, but I can't open any of them. I get that pop-up about formatting.
There's something wrong with the way that disc got burned. Did it ever work (read files)? Does it work in other PCs? Do your single session burns work properly?
I was afraid of that. These CDs may have been burned on my old burner. I was having trouble with it and have since replaced it. I think I'll take some of the discs to my local computer guy to see if he can open them. It sucks that I may have lost information. That's the whole idea behind making back-up discs. Thanks.
This doesn't help you now, but illustrates a good reason to independently verify backups (in another machine). I use tape for backup, and spot check my backups to see that the tape is readable in another tape drive.
