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TribeLeader · Dec 2, 2003, 02:09 PM

I've had my Mac since last Friday. I like to use CD-RWs to store many of my files, but in order to use CD-RWs (for re-writing) I will need to buy Toast, correct?

I assumed that when I bought a computer with CD-burner that I would be able to re-write to discs. Oops, even though I did tons of research for several months, I somehow missed this one!

So, is this my best or only option for CD-RW capabilities? What would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

Developer · Dec 2, 2003, 02:21 PM

You can delete the disks with Disk Utility and then re-write them.

TribeLeader · Dec 2, 2003, 02:30 PM

Okay, walk me through this. If I open a file from my CD-RW, work on it, then want to save my new work, what exactly do I need to do to delete it and re-write it?

And, does Toast simplify this process. I don't want to put out the money if I don't need to, but if it will greatly simplify the process, I'm willing to do that! Thanks again.

Developer · Dec 2, 2003, 02:34 PM

You need to open Disk Utility, select the disk, and then erase the entire disk. After that you can again write new stuff onto the disk.

Mac OS can not treat a CD-RW like a floppy disk.

Toast can burn multiple sessions, so you could burn another session (an additional volume on the disk) containing the modified file.

swiz · Dec 2, 2003, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
You need to open Disk Utility, select the disk, and then erase the entire disk. After that you can again write new stuff onto the disk.

Mac OS can not treat a CD-RW like a floppy disk.

Toast can burn multiple sessions, so you could burn another session (an additional volume on the disk) containing the modified file.

Cool! Thanks for the info, never looked into that.

bbales · Dec 3, 2003, 08:12 AM

And in a plug for Toast, I b ought it two years ago and have never been sorry. It's a great ap -- does exactly what it's supposed to! It's possible now that the OS has kind of caught up with some of its features. But except for burning songs I bought from the Music Store, I use Toast for all burning.

That said, I'm still using 5 -- haven't bougth 6 yet. So I cannot speak to any of the newer version's features and/or shortcomings.

I also just happened to think, whle looking at your post, that I always just use CDs. I have some rewritable ones, but have never once used them. I probably should give them a try, as I sort of get on my soapbox about our disposable society. And here I am contributing...

JKT · Dec 3, 2003, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Developer:
You need to open Disk Utility, select the disk, and then erase the entire disk. After that you can again write new stuff onto the disk.

Mac OS can not treat a CD-RW like a floppy disk.

Toast can burn multiple sessions, so you could burn another session (an additional volume on the disk) containing the modified file.

Actually, multi-session burning has been possible in OS X since Jaguar (perhaps 10.1 too?). In 10.2.x you used disk copy to burn the disk - there was an option to leave it "append-able" which would allow you to create multi-session disks.

In 10.3.x, use Disk Utility. Read the help files on Erasing and Formatting disks or discs>Recording on a CD or DVD more than once.

Personally, I think this should be part of the basic Finder burning pattern...

Uncle Skeleton · Dec 3, 2003, 10:40 AM

I always use Toast as well, which is why I need to ask this:

Does the Apple software still make you wait while it copies to a temp partition before burning, or have they discovered Burn-on-the-fly (as Adaptec/Roxio calls it)?

'cause I remember Toast did burn-on-the-fly before Apple even discovered CD-Burners, and then when I tried Disc-Copy/iTunes the first time I was horrified to learn that even if you have the fastest burner available, you have to wait 10 minutes for the software to prepare a disk image before even touching the hardware....

TribeLeader · Dec 3, 2003, 11:05 AM

Thanks for the replies. For those researching Toast 6, I thought I'd post some of the reviews I found ...

TechEdgeEzine

applelinks.com

Macworld.com

And here's the link to Toast 6

BTW, I ordered Toast 6 last evening and will let you know how I make out with it!

solbo · Dec 3, 2003, 11:16 AM

Most CD mastering software cannot do anything but erase and rewrite a CD-RW. Even with multi-session you are basically just appending to what is already there and not overwriting. Supposedly CD writers that support the Mt. Rainier format have floppy like drag and drop capabilities. http://www.softarch.com/us/products/...inierfaqs.html

I have never seen it in action though.

engaged · Dec 3, 2003, 11:19 AM

You could always give FireStarter a go; someone recommended it in this forum a while ago - have used it once or twice. It's donationware, and much cheaper than Toast!