How to read old non-finalized CDs

I have a CD that was started in a 'multi-session' format, about 10 years ago, using CD writing software that I no longer have, on hardware that is long gone. The disk has files on it that are otherwise unavailable, but my current setup doesn't understand the particular non-finalized format of the disk. Does anyone here know of any utilities that can read this sort of disk?

the gory details: the disk was written with something called 'adaptec', that came pre-installed on what was probably a windows 95 or possibly windows 98 packard-bell, definitely pre-DVD era. I'm currently at windows XP SP3, but if someone says windows 7 can do it natively, that'll be a good excuse to upgrade.

JustJeff

Posted 2010-06-03T23:42:47.457

Reputation: 575

Do you need an excuse to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7? ;-) – T.J. Crowder – 2010-06-03T23:59:45.407

@T.J. Crowder: no, no I don't. But something like this might put it 'in the budget', if you know what I mean. – JustJeff – 2010-06-04T01:10:53.233

Answers

IsoBuster, CDRoller, or CD Recovery Toolbox Free might be able to read the data back off of that disc. CD Recovery Toolbox Free is, well, freeware, but not as powerful as the other two. IsoBuster has free functionality and Pro functionality that requires registration. If you burned the disc as an open multi-session disc with Easy CD Creator, then the free functionality should be all you need. If you burned the disc with DirectCD, then you'd need the Pro version.

Both Easy CD Creator and DirectCD were Adaptec products.

Finally, there's Roxio's UDF Reader -- that may also allow you to read the disc. Roxio took over the development of Adaptec's CD/DVD burning software several years ago.

afrazier

Posted 2010-06-03T23:42:47.457

Reputation: 21 316

CD Recovery Toolbox doesn't seem to deal with sessions! – Shimmy – 2016-09-14T20:57:31.977

+1 as I would have recommended IsoBuster as the tool to do it. I've been using it for a decade, and have not had the need to try anything else. – paradroid – 2010-12-17T14:40:27.257

Old thread - but go to EBAY and buy a copy of Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 (or newer) starting around $5.99.

This SHOULD read the data in direct CD mode and allow you to finalize the CD for future use, but no guarantees.

Worked great for me!!

Otherwise CD recovery toolbox did not work for me. ISOBUSTER and CD ROLLER both read the disk but cost $39.99. I couldn't get ISOBUSTER to bend on the price, even though I only needed it for one old CD.

CG Swann

Posted 2010-06-03T23:42:47.457

Reputation: 11

Problem I had was someone burned files on a CD and didn't finalize the CD to read on other systems. Without using the CD on the original computer that burned it, I managed to do it with a program called "PowerISO" (not knowing what software or OS version that created the CD).

Insert the CD
Start PowerISO and tell it to open the CD
extract the data to a local folder (not another CD)
confirm the data, then burn it to another CD (if necessary)

This was done on a CD burned (& not finalized) dated 2/2/2016

user687036

Posted 2010-06-03T23:42:47.457

Reputation: 1