PLEASE READ DESPERATE FOR help on retrieving files from disk

by mamajenn Nov 9, 2005 2:12AM PST

I have done a complete reformat on my 8300 dimension computer using xp pro. Downloaded all software I inserted my backup disk into e:drive and receive message e: drive not accessable. So I inserted another disk with quicken data on it into e: drive and received the same message. All these disc worked fine prior to reformat. Put the disc into d: drive which is the dvd/cdrw drive and nothing happened. This is five years of work. Please help me. I am truly at wits end and really need some help. I can put in a regular cd and they work.

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Mama, Just A Guess Here..

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Nov 9, 2005 2:26AM PST

I'm guessing that the CD's with your valuable data are formatted CD-RW's and at this point, they can't be read because the packet-writing software hasn't been installed on the computer. PLease install Nero's InCD or Roxio's Drag-to-Disk/DirectCD in order to read the formatted CD correctly. It's one reason why permanent backups should ALWAYS be burned to a CD-R or CD-RW and then FINALIZED.. The disks are readable by any functioning at that point except for a few extremely old drives that won't read the RW type of disk.

Another suggestion..after the format, did you install the firmware for your CD/DVD drives? That is required for the drive to work correctly. Dell normally includes a Resource CD that has all the drivers and firmware for all hardware. Use the Resource CD and install all the drivers..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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If you don't have InCD or DirectCD software,a workaround

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 9, 2005 2:44AM PST

Look up ISOBUSTER at google.com

Some use that to peek at such disks and recover the files if they can't find their CDRW software.

Bob

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There's a small chance ...

by Kees Bakker Nov 9, 2005 3:04AM PST

that the CD-drive has detoriated and still is able to read normal CD's but not able to read CD-R or CD-RW (whatever you used to backup). Before jumping off the Niagara Falls, see if another drive (friend, family, work, school, public library) is able to read them.

This is just in case you used normal burning software (like Nero) to make the backups. If you used any specials (packet writing) software, the posts above apply. Nothing lost yet, if you install the right software again.

Kees

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Reply from MamaJen to all replys

by mamajenn Nov 9, 2005 8:35PM PST

Prior to this reformat, I just used backup on Quicken. I do not know what software was used. I do know that before, I had installed sonic, creative and music match which came with the system. This time, I installed roxio platinum which I had with my other computer. Could this be the problem? Should I uninstall roxio cdc platinum and install sonic and music match as creative is already installed. Thanks for all your advice. I will also go the google site and look for ISOBUSTER. What is ISO?

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Old versions of Roxio

by glb613 Nov 10, 2005 7:47PM PST

such as Roxio 5.0 Platinum are not compatible with XP. How do I know? I had that version and Direct CD won't install or run without a patch. I'm not sure if the patch is still available from the web site but go there and see if you can find it. In order to install Roxio 5.0, you need to do a custom install omitting Direct CD. Once that is done, install the patch then do another custom install this time including Direct CD. I was able to get it to work using the installation method I just described. Since it didn't have the ability to burn DVDs, I eventually upgraded.

If you upgrade to version 6.0 or later, you won't have to do any of that. But be advised, it is called drag-to-disk in verions 6.0. There is an outside chance you will be able to read the disks using a newer version of Roxio.

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PLEASE READ DESPERATE FOR help on retrieving files from disk

by VAPCMD Nov 13, 2005 7:42AM PST

You indicated you reformatted the system but what isn't clear did you get the system up and running ?

What was the original problem that warranted reformatting the hard drive ? WHat size is the hard drive in GBs ?

Regards,
VAPCMD

PLEASE READ DESPERATE FOR help on retrieving files from disk

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