Burning a Data Disk in Windows 8.1

Eric642 · Sep 1, 2014

Hi, When using the built-in Windows 8.1 burning software is there a way to verify the disk?

Also, a 48x CD would go no slower than 16x. I have read that disks should be burned slowly for data integrity and to maintain a high quality in pictures, is this true? Is there a place to change the speed options shown in the drop down menu?

I would prefer to stick with the built-in burning software if possible, am I missing some settings somewhere, or a way to burn a disk with more options available?

Many thanks

christinebcw · Sep 1, 2014

In the olden days, Slower Speeds Meant Reliability in some cases but, in the past few years, there are media that actually are burned better at a faster speed.

What's the best? There is no simple answer, nor is there any reliable, predictive answer.

"It depends on the batch of Media you are using, and the Burner, and the Burning Software."

Chances are, the last two items will be the same (although wear-n-tear on the burner, it's spinning motors and 'grabbers' do occur).

But the Media can change from one purchase to the next.

VERIFICATION OR NOT? Some folks might say, "If a burner is going to screw up a burn, why are you relying on it to report a failure?" That's one bit o' logic. Again, I'm of the school that there's no single, certain way short of Using It. Reading It. Copying it back, preferably using a different computer. Nothing is a better verification than "just doing it".

If you want to REALLY get depressed, also understand that all optical disks will deteriorate over time and fail. There are no "100 year lifespans" in reality. Gov'ts are trying to require a certified "Archive" standard with a guaranteed 25+ year readable lifespan but considering that the computer industry's penchant for failing companies, mergers, sell-offs or buy-outs, I'm never sure who will "guarantee" that a disc full of important Gov't Records can be recovered after it does, in fact, chemically deteriorate. Who ya gonna call? Dead is dead.

"Make multiple backups on different media" is our only best alternative.

As for alternative software... yes, keeping it nice and simple is one choice. There are freebie packages that do good jobs, too.

Eric642 · Sep 5, 2014

Thanks for your reply.

I'm using optical media as one form of back up at the moment, any that i wish to keep for longer than a few years, I copy again on to a new disc. I had a few about 10 years old, and they had a strange pattern all over the surface, there was no way they would play.

I would like the option to burn at slow speeds if there was somewhere in windows 8.1 with advanced options for the built in burner.

Also, I'd prefer to verify a disc than check it by using it, as they are data discs, it could have 1000's of pictures and documents.
I can see how it might be a practical way to check a music or video disc though.

I recently made an Offline Scanner disc, using a free offline scanner download from an AV company, the file came as an .iso file, when burning that, an option to verify appeared, but I can't see how to get that option when burning a data disc.

Is there a place with advanced settings for the built-in Windows 8.1 burner?

Thanks

christinebcw · Sep 5, 2014

I doubt it. I think I'd push you into ImgBurn as a free disc burner that enjoys a high (the highest?) reputation among burner aficionados. (I would also recommend you download and install the slightly older version 2.570 because it doesn't have 2.58's bundleware. Here's a link to FileHippo's ImgBurn 2.570 page.)

ImgBurn can be a queer bug to learn because it's "menu choices" probably aren't in the vocabulary you're used to seeing, or expecting (for example, you don't "COPY A DISK" but you "Create An Image" then "Burn Image To Disk"). But spend time with it and it DOES become second-nature, and logical to use. But it flummoxes users of Nero, Roxio and most other simpler burner packages at first.

More importantly, it also offers every advanced setting that your Burner Drive offers. If your drive can do it, ImgBurn opens it up.

If you've had disks 'go bad', then the whole Data Verification At Burn Time becomes less meaningful - because the petrochemical forces inside an optic disk does in fact 'ruin' the data-film's chemistry at some point so a Good Burn turns into a Lousy Disk eventually. Sadly, I think we should view Optic Disks with that inevitability, too - I think it's more wise to assume "They will all deteriorate" rather than believe "These never will-!"

Like you, I tend to "burn an extra copy" in hopes that one will last longer than the other and maybe I'll salvage it, or recognize that I choose to not make it "important enough". Then of course, with the price of HDDs coming down (1Tb for $60?!! Wheeee), I can save a lot of memoir pages on that media, too.

Uh... as long as SATA connectors are available! cough cough... ever hear of MFM hard drives? Those were mid-80s into early '90s - the predecessors to IDE drives. Good luck finding any MFM connector-controllers - so those hard-drives may work fine, but are now useless for data retrieval.

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Burning a Data Disk in Windows 8.1

Eric642

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christinebcw

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Eric642

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christinebcw

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