UAF Geology & Geophysics Computer Lab
Copying Data
to CD-W's
Read this first!
The Geology & Geophysics Computer Lab has four desktop computers (GEOS-06,
GEOS-08, GEOS-09 and GEOS-11) with CD recorders. On both you can copy
data from your network drives (BEDROCK) to writeable CD media. On one
(GEOS-11) we have both a recordable CD drive and a "zip" drive so
one can copy files from the "zip" format to the CD format, and vice
versa.
The CD media is especially useful for long term storage of large files because it is inexpensive (650 Mb for < $1), is a very widely supported format, and has quite good across-platform compatibility (one can write CD's which can be read on both Win, Mac, and UNIX).
Below is a short description of the process for writing CD's in the Geology & Geophysics Computer Lab. Although the CD writer will write both CD-R (recordable) and CD-RW (rewriteable) media, this cookbook will only discuss CD-R's. The help screens in the various applications discuss both media if you have any problems the help screens are quite useful.
Obtain the proper CD media
To start storing your data you will need a blank CD. The CD-R's are obtained at many retail stores around Fairbanks or from the Department office. Do not use CD-RW's unless you are an experienced user, they will work but you must be aware of the differences (which are not discussed in this cookbook).
ISO9660 File Names
IF you are writing a CD in the ISO9660 format (which is compatible with Mac's, UNIX/LINUX, OS2, and MS windows formats, THEN file names cannot be more than 8 characters long (plus a three-character extension), and cannot contain any spaces. If necessary, rename these files before writing to CD.
Organization
The CD-R's cannot be rewritten, so organize your files into directories which make sense to you, rename any files that need it, and delete any superfluous files so that you will not have to re-organize your files once you've written the CD.
If you write a file you don't need onto the CD-R and then remove it from the CD-R, then the file is gone -- but you don't get back the storage space used when the file was originally written.
Take the time to organize before you write.
If you're backing up files, it is most useful to save the data in a directory with a name that indicates the date of the backup (e.g., BAK2002MAY10).
Important: Once you have your data in the format you want to save it in, move the entire directory into the CD Temp directory (D:/CD Temp on GEOS-06, GEOS-08, and GEOS-09, and E:/CD Temp on GEOS-11).
Final Verification of Data Transfer
AFTER the files have been copied to CD, use Windows Explorer to check the CD's contents. Open Windows Explorer, click on the CD read-write drive, right-click on the newly-created directory, and then left-click on "Properties". Do the same for the source directory (the CD Temp directory). The sizes of both the source and destination directories should agree to the nearest byte. The number of files should also agree.
Note: There are different instructions for the four workstations (because we need different versions of the same software due to hardware differences) – if nothing looks right, be sure you are using the correct cookbook. If you’re having a problem, check to see that you’re following the directions exactly.
Instructions for GEOS-06, GEOS-08, and GEOS-11
Because the CD-R's are not eraseable there are some differences between creating a CD and writing, say, a floppy disk. There is a special program for copying the data to the CD-R's.
The process will be much simpler if you stick with the Easy CD Creator 4 application.
This cookbook describes the Easy CD Creator application. (There is also an Adaptec application called CD Direct which is more complicated to use but has some additional features. For basic data archiving Easy CD creator works well if you want more features try CD Direct). Warning: You CANNOT write to the same CD with both applications if you do you may lose some of your data!!!!
1) Insert the CD-R (in GEOS-11, use the lower CD drive).
2a) For a New CD-R: Click the Easy CD Creator icon on the desktop. From the Easy CD Creator menubar select File … New CD Layout … Data CD.
2b) To make a CD compatible with Macintosh, Windows, and Unix operating systems: goto file CD Layout Properties. Under the general tab goto File System and choose ISO9660 and then select OK. (File and folder names must be consistent with the old 8.3 file name protocol.). If you are only using MS operating systems the Joliet file system is fine.
2c) For a CD-R previously written with Easy CD Creator: Click the Easy CD Creator icon on the desktop. From the Easy CD Creator menubar select CD … Import Session. Select the most recent session and click Import.
3) At this point you will have a Windows-Explorer-like panel at the top and a CD-Layout panel below. Browse your resources in the Explorer panel and drag and drop from the explorer window into the CD Layout panel.
4) When you’ve completed moving the files and directories to be stored into the CD Layout, click “Create CD” on the toolbar.
5) At the CD Creation Setup dialog box, DO NOT change the target device or speed, DO NOT select to perform any tests, and click Close Session and Leave CD open. These should be the defaults. If you DO choose Close CD, then the CD will be write-protected and no more data can be written to it. DO NOT select disc-at-once. Click OK and CD creator will run a System Test (~30 sec.) and then start copying data.
6) The dialog box will report CD created successfully when completed.
7) If you want to add or remove files, insert the CD and start the Easy CD Creator and initiate another session.
Instructions for GEOS-09
Because the CD-R's are not eraseable there are some differences between creating a CD and writing, say, a floppy disk. There is a special program for copying the data to the CD-R's.
The process will be much simpler if you stick with the Easy CD Creator application.
This cookbook describes the Easy CD Creator application. (There is also an Adaptec application called CD Direct that is more complicated to use but has some additional features. For basic data archiving Easy CD Creator works well if you want more features try CD Direct). Warning: You CANNOT write to the same CD with both applications if you do you may lose some of your data!!!!
1) Insert the CD-R, the CD writer drive is labeled rewritable.
2) From the Start button select Start Programs Adaptec Easy CD Creator Easy CD Creator.
3) As setup in the lab, the Easy CD Creator program will start a wizard that will lead you through the process. The first screen aks whether you wish to create a data CD or an audio CD. In most all cases you will select "data CD".
4) The next screen allows you to select files from any of the hard drives, floppies, or zips which you have access to and add them (use the Add Now button) to the CD that you're working on. The bar chart at the bottom of the dialog box shows the space used and remaining space available on the CD as you add files.
5) Once you've added all the data you want to send to the CD, click next. The next screen asks if you want to test before writing. In general, you probably will not perform the test -- if you're having problems writing CD's you can perform the test.
6) On the next screen click Create CD now and click Finish. The CD ejects when its finished.
7) If you want to add or remove files, insert the CD and start the Easy CD Creator.
8) DO NOT Save the CD Layout changes to Untitled.
Possible pitfalls
Store Files Locally: Before you write to a CD, transfer your data to the CD Temp directory, and write the data to the CD from the local drive. By storing the data on a local drive you will speed up the transfer and avoid some occasional difficulties we've encountered when transferring from a networked device. Remember to delete your files from the local drive when you are done.
Use Easy CD Creator: If you try to drag and drop or cut and
paste your files to the CD-R icon, the CD Direct Program will start up
automatically. CD Direct works fine, but has many more options that you
probably don't want to use.
Revised March 2002