[kenw]

After searching the forums it seems like this should be possible, but it doesn't work for me. I created a CD-RW disk on a PC (Windows 98) using Adaptec DirectCD. I chose the option that said something like "readable on most computers". The disk works fine in the PC (the disk has a PowerPoint presentation). If I put the disk in a Mac (7500, MacOS 9.04), nothing happens. The disk doesn't mount and there is no error message. I have never had trouble reading floppies or Zip disks from the PC world, so this is a bit of a surprise. Am I missing something?

[bradoesch]

It's likely because your computer is too old. It should likely work in a newer Mac.

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Why 1984, won't be
like "1984"

[kenw]

I should add my computer is a 7500 accelerated to a G3/400. If you are right about the computer being too old, it gives me another reason to upgrade after MWNY in July.

As a test, I'll try reading the CD on my G4/MP500 at work.

[xyber233]

My iMac rev. b cant read CD-RWs.

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[Paul S]

Kenw,

By old, you should know that we refer to the CD drive being too old, as opposed to the processor being too slow, etc. Many older drives have a lot of problems with CD-Rs and especially RWs.

Another issue is the color of the RW. They are available in silver, gold, and a dark blue. Silvers read the best. It has to do with how well the laser light reflects off of the surface.

Imation is using all silver as far as I know. They used to make them in gold but discontinued those. I'd recommend burning with a silver CD and see if that works.

I had problems in my car CD player with gold, but never with silver. It's all I will use anymore.

[kenw]

Paul S,

Thanks for the tip about the colors. I thought they were just a marketing gimmick.

It sounds like my CD drive is just too old. Out of curiosity, what is different about new CD drives that allows them to read CD-RW disks? Is the file format different, are the pits spaced differently, do the disks spin faster, or what?

I have a Performa 6400 with a tray cd-rom that will read burned blue cds from a pc, but it was only readable from my iMac w/tray 2-3 times and never worked with my iMac Slot-loading.

The cd was a hybird.

[bradoesch]

Well, the new drives can read "multisession" disks, or something like that. When a CD-R was been burned in separate times. And the newer drives are designed to access CD-RW media.

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Why 1984, won't be
like "1984"

[Cipher13]

You need a multiread CD drive which your 7500 doesn't have. I think the first Macs with multiread CD drives were the original iMacs.

Only multiread drives can read CDRW's.

However, the rev. 1.a-d iMac drives were very crappy. Xyber, try cleaning your drive, it can read RW's, but its a bad drive... they all were. Just clean the lens and try again.


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AIM: Cipher1387
ICQ: 48111606
mail: cipher13@mac.com

[Paul S]

Multi-read drives go back a little farther than the iMac. I have 2 beige G3's that read RWs with no problem. My Rev. A iMac at work reads them with no problem too.

[Cipher13]

Really? Cool
Must be a G3 thing then...

[pipndale]

Hi,

I have a G3 350 and use CD's and CD-RW between platforms regularly. Try this url;
http://www.tempel.org/joliet/

Here is an explanation from it;
"Basically, this free System Extension enhances the way your Macintosh computer can read CD-ROMs from other platforms, mainly Windows. Until now,
if you inserted a Windows CD-ROM in your Mac, file names appeared to be crippled (in the so-called 8.3 format) or files may have been inaccessible. This
Joliet extension is designed to solve these problems. "

When burning CD's on a PC i had to previously use the ISO 9660 standard in order for the Mac to 'see' the info. Now with this extension enabled I can use the PC's own 'Joliet' standard and my Mac now boots the disk as a recognizeable disc. Try the site and read up.
There is a free download and it should help out.