[Robert Tracy]

There are a few CD's I burnt of image files some four years ago. I know those files are on those CD's. But they won't open. I don't even hear the sound of the CD running. I click on My Computer. Then CD Drive (D:) and it's empty.

Any and all other CD's open properly on the drive.

I've tried them on another computer with the same empty result.

There must be a solution to this.

Do you know how to proceed?

Thanks for looking.

- Bob

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If the CDs in question don't work on other computers and other CDs work in your computer and the other computer the issue lies with the CDs in question. What state are they in (scratched? Dirty? Seen better days)? How were they burnt (with Nero? XP? Roxio? Something else? Closed the session or multi-session?) Were they burnt on the current drive or another drive? How have they been treated since you burnt them? Sleeves? Random pile? Next to loudspeakers or in direct sunlight? Used as a Frisbee?

[Neil Jones]

If the CDs in question don't work on other computers and other CDs work in your computer and the other computer the issue lies with the CDs in question. What state are they in (scratched? Dirty? Seen better days)? How were they burnt (with Nero? XP? Roxio? Something else? Closed the session or multi-session?) Were they burnt on the current drive or another drive? How have they been treated since you burnt them? Sleeves? Random pile? Next to loudspeakers or in direct sunlight? Used as a Frisbee?

[Robert Tracy]

Hi Neil!

How were they burnt (with Nero? XP? Roxio? Were they burnt on the current drive or another drive? How have they been treated since you burnt them? Sleeves? Random pile? Next to loudspeakers or in direct sunlight? Used as a Frisbee?

Roxio , on Windows 98. And this is what I think is the problem. It was before Windows XP and I used Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum on a long gone computer; not the current drive. I've tried to get to Roxio. Tried to find a driver for XP. Written an email to them. That place is impossible to find what you want.

No, the CD's have been well secluded from anything. So well hidden I just found them. No scratches. In sleeves.

Used as a Frisbee? I'm about to, but I'm too curious to find a single file I think is on one of them.

Thanks for your attention.

- Bob

[Neil Jones]

Ah now Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 does not work on Windows XP, without patches anyway.

As far as you know did you write the files as a complete session (ie, finalising them) or did you use some packet writing software, under Roxio it was called Adaptec/DirectCD? If it was done by packet writing then because the different programs use different techniques to do the same job, they're not compatible with each other. That is, a CD used for packet writing with InCD would be rendered unreadable by Adaptec/DirectCD. In this situation the only way to read it would be with the original program used - in the case of inCD even just upgrading from one version to another doesn't mean version 3 can read disks made by version 2! In any case there's no guarantee the original program works under XP.

But failing that, this and the subsequent answer might be of interest with a link to some programs that may be able to get the data back:
http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq04.html#S4-15

[Robert Tracy]

As far as you know did you write the files as a complete session (ie, finalising them) or did you use some packet writing software, under Roxio it was called Adaptec/DirectCD?

Hard to remember. I recall something about saving music files to play in your car. I suspect I did not "finalise" these image files. I also recall seeing both "Adaptec and DirectCD" but don't know if I used them or had whatever they are. It was all new to me, as was the computer in general and I was not real organized.

Thanks for the link. I'll look it over.

[Robert Tracy]

Yep, your link provided me with IsoBuster. That did it.

Thanks a million.

- Bob