CD Burning with XP

owensdj

Golden Member
Jul 14, 2000
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I have a few questions about using CD-R and CD-RW discs with the native CD burning features of Windows XP. Is it possible to add new files and folders over time to a CD-RW disc? I'm having problems doing that. Sometimes it corrupts the files. Also, how do you tell XP the speed at which you wish to write to a CD-R or CD-RW disc? For example, I'm using 12x10x32 Plextor CD-RW drive with 16x Maxtor CD-R and 10x Verbatim CD-RW discs. Does XP know to use 12x for the CD-R and 10x for the CD-RW? Third question, would I be better off buying 3rd party CD burning software like Ez CD Creator or Nero for doing the incremental adding to my CD-RWs, assuming that's possible? Thanks.
 

Doh!

Platinum Member
Jan 21, 2000
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1. By design, Windows XP does not support packet writing, which is required to delete individual files from a CD-RW disc. Which means, no CD-RW function is available.

2. You can set the recording speed in your cd-writer's properties in device manager. Find the "recording" tab.

3. Yes, you would be better off purchasing a third-party burning software such as Nero, NTI-CD Maker, or EZCD. My personal favorite is Nero (good for just about any burning - i.e., support for MPEG-2 (SVCD), bootable cd & etc.)
 

owensdj

Golden Member
Jul 14, 2000
1,711
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Since XP doesn't support packet writing, does that mean you can't add new files and folders to a CD-RW?
 

Doh!

Platinum Member
Jan 21, 2000
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Sorry, I got it wrong on the first question. XP does have cd-rw functions but it just does not support packet writing according to MS website (weird). You can write data to a CD-R, or write and rewrite data to a CD-RW, or erase data from a CD-RW (I just tried it).