Burning data across multiple CDs?

[Gooberlx2]

I asked this question a long time ago, but no one had any answers then. So I'm asking again now in hope that something new has arrived or maybe someone has ideas.

Anyhoo, I want to burn lots of data across multiple CDs. For example, my mp3s directory is 12 gigs, obviously larger than one CD and obviously a PITA to section out into CD sized chunks. Is there anything that would allow me to just burn the whole directory and be asked for another CD until it's done? If not in Windows then how 'bout Linux? I've got both going.

This would seem like such an obvious feature to have in something like Nero, I'm surprised it doesn't exist...or maybe I just don't know how to use it.

 

[JackBurton]

Just use WinAce or WinRAR to compress that directory and specify it to broken up into 700MB chunks. Now just burn those files to CD. You'll insert the first CD with the first file and when it needs the next file it will ask you for it. Just insert the correct CD with the file it asks for. You can also make it self-extracting so you don't need WinAce or WinRAR installed on the machine you are going to transfer that data to.

 

[waitman]

 

[waitman]

 

[waitman]

 

[waitman]

 

[cnhoff]

Yeah, but be aware of the fact, that when e.g. cd 6/13 is broken, you won't be able to reconstruct cds 6-13...

 

[JackBurton]

What are you talking about WHEN 6/13 breaks? You play hockey with your backup CDs? If you mean file corruption, in WinAce you can check "Add recovery record," and "Check CRC after compressing files" and it will lessen the chances of file corruption (if it fully extracts your files you are fine). Just make sure you can extact ALL the files from the CDs before you delete the originals ones .

 

[EeyoreX]

You can also use something like DriveImage 2002 that will image an entire partition and spread it across multiple CDs.

\Dan

 

[manly]

Under Windows, you can use any backup software that writes to CDR. Seagate Backup Exec Desktop is an example, but that product has been sold and relabeled (I can't recall the new name but it's a popular brand). Any decent backup utility will check the integrity of the backups against the original source immediately and without any extra user intervention.

If Drive Image allows you to conveniently specify directories to image/ignore, as Ghost can, then that's a feasible method as well.

Personally, I think using a general purpose archival tool is not the way to go. Either of the above two methods has a drawback as well: they are both relatively proprietary.

I agree with cnhoff's warning that any solution should support partial recovery if any disk is damaged.

If there's a Linux solution, I'd love to hear about it as well.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: cnhoff
Yeah, but be aware of the fact, that when e.g. cd 6/13 is broken, you won't be able to reconstruct cds 6-13...

use parity files.

 

[Gooberlx2]

just checkin to to re-raise this same question. Man alive! It blows my mind that Nero doesn't already do this! It seems that the new Easy CD Creator 6 can now do this.

C'mon Nero! I'll never switch to that virus of a program, but you need to get with the times!