Reading old CDs burned on Windoze

99% of the old image CD's open fine on the Mac . . . then there are those which open titled: "UDFREADER" . . . clicking on that brings up three files: "Autorun.inf" "UdfrChk.exe" & "udfrinst.zl" . . . these problem CDs were burned on a Windoze machine & most likely with an external Sony firedrive burner which came with an odd burning program . . . . . . . anyhow . . . . . . . does anyone know of a way around the autorun other than reburning the offending CDs on a Windoze machine ?

Hello,
Possibly when you burned your CD you burned as a PC only. It is safer to burn 'Hybrids" PC or Mac. It may require burning another CD as per the above. (BUT: I burn CD's on a G5 but they can't be read on a G3!!!#@*%)

Similar Messages

IMac not reading old cds?

My iMac (late 2009) is reading some CDs but not others. I put in the CD, it holds on to it for 30 seconds, then spits out without ever showing up on the desktop. The only difference I can tell between the ones it does read and the ones it doesn't is the age, the old ones it is having problems with (i.e. made in the 90s), the newer ones (maybe roughly 2000 and on) is fine. My work computer can read them fine. Any idea what's up?

Another help source (if you haven't already done so).
Go to your OS Help Menu. In the search field type dvd
Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to your issue.
You can also do the same in Disk Utility. Open same up.
At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.
This will bring up the Help Menu.
===============
Try a different brand. Top forum favorites
CDs
FUJI
TDK
Verbatim
DVDs
Maxell
Verbatim
==============
Apple's Disc Burning Quick Assist
Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801 Apple Computers: Troubleshooting the slot-loading SuperDrive
*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

Reading old CDs

We have CDs dating from 2000 with information we want to keep. Right now I can't find a computer that will read the CDs. When I put it into my G4 OS 10.4.7, it spits it back out. When I put it on a G4 OS 10.3.9, it doesn't show up and won't eject it. When I put it on a G3 OS 9.2.2, I get the message it is unreadable, but at least it will eject.
Any suggestions on what to do to find something to read these old CDs?
Thanks.
Linda

"it doesn't matter if the disk were formated for a Pc, the mac should be able to read it."
That is not always a true statement. Many machines will not recognize some audio CDs, for example.
If one machine will recognize a CD and another will not, then the logical thing is to look at the differences between the machines. In this case, none of the computers recognize a mountable directory of files or contents.

Read old cds udf format

New HP envy x2 13 with purchased ext opt reader. trying to read/play current media discs and old (2001) CD-RWs burned Borneo Malaysia 2001
Will play current DVD Wont play current Blu Ray
Will read old UDF file on Kodak CD - RW in Win XP or maybe NT 5.0 in Win Office Powerpoint
Wont read same as above in Win Office MS Word
Wont read as above file in Win Office MS Access (but dont have Access installed)
For Blu Ray presume must BUY!! some media player App.
But any suggestions for quick solution to read old Word and Access files?
singrres

Ok, I see now.. I think I am understanding things more. The cd you have was not actually an archived disc, but a disc used as a multi-write disc (ie it was used like a floppy disc where contents could be copied to it and edited at-will without finalizing the session). Also termed as Incremental Packet Writing. Unfortunatly the way that worked was the file system was managed by the burn software. That table of contents is now long gone (or if you recently created it, on what ever old computer you brought it from).
If you lack access to the PC it was currently being used in, salvaging any data from the disc could be done with a RAW dump of the cd and the appropriate tools and time, none of which I am familure with.

Cannot read old CDs

I have all of my photos archived on CD - the earliest were burned in 2002 on an iBook. But I can't read any of these on my current iMac or MacBook. The disks are either ejected outright, or result in the perpetually spinning beach ball. Does anyone has any suggestions for how to rescue these files?

I have all of my photos archived on CD - the earliest were burned in 2002 on an iBook. But I can't read any of these on my current iMac or MacBook. The disks are either ejected outright, or result in the perpetually spinning beach ball. Does anyone has any suggestions for how to rescue these files?

10.5.7 Won't Read Audio CDs?

I installed 10.5.7 a couple of days ago. All went well and continues to do so except for 1 minor quirk, none of my audio CDs can be read by the dvd drive, I have managed to burn both CD and DVDs though using toast 8, but I'm unable to read audio CDs new AND old. Anyone one else having trouble with Audio CDs? [DVDs are fine]
Macbook 10.5.7, 4 gig ram 160gig hd

First, my MBP plays CDs fine, so it's not 10.5.7, at least in my case.
What happens when you insert an audio CD? Does it appear at all on the desktop?
Try a PRAM reset.
AFAIK, the lasers for reading CDs and DVDs are different. CDs use a 700nm laser, DVDs a 640nm.
The lasers for burning are different again.
It's just possible that the CD laser in your drive is not working.
Other than a PRAM reset, I am not sure what you can do.

I've been importing all my old CDs into itunes but one of them which was unknown imported as single tracks. How can I combine these into one album

I've been importing all my old CDs into itunes but one of them which came up as unknown has imported as single tracks named track 1, track 2 etc. It wasn't an obscure CD (Paul Carrack - the journey so far) but not one that's available in the itunes store. I've manually changed the track names but they all appear as single tracks in the "Albums" section. Is there a way to put them all into an album to show up as an album with the other albums. Other "unknown" CDs I imported have imported with the correct track names but just don't have the album artwork so I don't understand why this one is behaving totally different?

If you select the tracks all together in iTunes/ Songs then go to File/Get info you will be asked "Are you sure you want to edit information for multiple items?" Go ahead and you can make them into an album, putting in the artist name, etc.

CDs burned in iTunes no longer working in car?

I've been burning data CDs (with music) for years to listen to in my car that can read data CDs. Back in April, I burnt a CD (CD-R data with mp3s) that has worked fine in my car. Yesterday, I made a new playlist and tried burning CDs six different times -- all from the same stack of CDs that I used back in April -- and none of them work. I even tried regular audio CDs, instead of data, and those aren't working either. It isn't my car stereo because it'll still play all the other CDs I've created, so I can only guess that something has happened with iTunes updates. When the disc is in my computer, it is recognizing the songs, but not when it goes elsewhere. Any thoughts on this?

Hi MacinNW_Brent - thanks for the quick response! When I got home from work today, I tried to do some more troubleshooting. Really, it scared me that my drive going out is a possibility.
But this is what makes me think that's not the problem (not that I know, but humor me): When the disc is done burning, I can eject it, and put it back in the computer, and it works. So, I took the CD and put it in my DVD player (I don't have another CD player in the house), and it worked. It was an MP3 CD.
That made me think there's something wrong on my car's end. So I went to the car and took the CD out that it was currently playing -- the one I burnt the exact same way and from the exact same set of discs -- and put in the new one, and it still isn't working. So I tried every other CD in my car, and they all play fine - ones that I burnt years ago -- still work. Which makes me feel like it's not my car.
But the newest batch still isn't working. There's something with these new ones getting burnt that isn't playing right with my car. Is it possible that there's some sort of new update in iTunes that is causing me issues? I would totally blame my car if it was having trouble with ANY other kinds of CDs, but it's just this recent batch. Ones I burnt the same way just months ago still work fine. I'd blame my computer if I wasn't able to play it in the DVD player.
So the way I'm burning them hasn't changed.
The car will play CDs I've burnt this way previously.
My computer and DVD player can play them.
But this last batch isn't working right.
I'm kind of at a loss. It seems odd that this handful of discs would be bad (yet they still work in macbook/dvd player?), but buying a new batch is the only thing I can really think of. Even though I've been working through this stack for quite some time and ones from this stack are ones that I've burnt previously that are working. But I guess the bottom half could be messed up somehow.

G3 iMac 333Mhz not reading CD's burned on my G5 iMac!

I'm trying to refurbish my older G3 iMac & install Panther, for a friend of mine who can't afford a computer. I've suddenly noticed that CD's I've burned on my G5 iMac are unreadable to the older iMac, giving a message that the disc is unrecognizable, and do I want to erase it. It reads many other CD's just fine, original application CD's, the Panther install CD's, including some I burned on a previous eMac I had. I called Apple about this in a panic, and they couldn't imagine what could be wrong, they had never heard of such a thing. All they could say was that the drive must be going bad. But it reads all other CD's just fine--just not the ones I've recently burned on my new G5 iMac. Then they said that maybe there is something wrong with the CD's I'm using, but they can be read just fine by my new iMac and many other computers, including the old eMac that my daughter now has. I even take files to CopyMax for printing on those same CD's and the PC's read them just fine.
Apple suggested that I try purchasing other CD's and try out different brands. Meanwhile, the stack of 50 that I just purchased, I won't be able to use with this old iMac. They are Maxell's by the way, and the label says CD-R. Does anybody out there with a similar 333Mhz G3 iMac with a tray loading drive, have problems reading certain brand burned CD's from another computer? Or have you heard of such a thing? I hate to keep buying different brands to see which ones will be readable by the old iMac. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
Kristy

Thank you both, dreed and Ron, for your advice and comments. It's good to know I'm not the only one with this problem. And since I am just getting this iMac 333 ready for my friend to use, I don't have the money to replace the optical drive for her. I will try Charismac Discribe. Is it a shareware program? And is it very expensive? I still have some CD's I've burned on my eMac, that can be read by the iMac 333 just fine--for me it just seems to be CD's burned on my new G5 iMac that won't work--or Maxell's, because this is the first time I've used that brand. I usually buy Memorex.
Ron, it looks like we took the same computing path. The description of your two machines match exactly the configuration of my last two Macs, right down to the amount of memory in each of them & everything. Maybe a G5 iMac is in your future! These second generation ones are really wonderful! I know how you feel about the slot loading iMac, though. This is the first time I've had a slot loader. I have found that I can put my thumb in the center hole, and rest my pointer finger gently on the outside edge, without touching any of the surface, and slip it right into the slot pretty easily, then removing my thumb as the drive pulls it into the slot. It took me a while to figure that out. It helps that the slot is vertical instead of horizontal, although it might work with a horizontal slot, if you put your pointer finger in the hole and rest your thumb on the outside edge. Think about it. So tell me where to find Charismac Discribe. Oh, I can probably just google it. Thanks for the tip!
Kristy

How can i get itunes to read my CDs again

I cannot get iTunes to read my CDs. It keeps telling me to reinstall iTunes, and I did, but it still will not read my CDs

Hey there wesley254,
It sounds like your audio cds are not being seen in iTunes when you insert them into your drive. I would use the troubleshooting in the following article about that very subject:
iTunes for Windows doesn't recognize my audio CDs
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1584
Verify Windows recognizes your optical drive
If Microsoft Windows recognized your optical drive, but doesn't recognize it now, follow the instructions in iTunes for Windows: Optical drive is no longer recognized, or "Disc burner or software not found" alert after install.
Check for software updates
Microsoft or your computer's manufacturer may have released updated software. Check to see if there are updates to Windows or to the software that controls the drive. Check your computer manufacturer's website for updates, particularly for updates to the CD or DVD drive. If you bought the drive separately from the computer, check the drive manufacturer's website. In some cases, software drivers for other devices (such as video and sound cards) could affect how the CD or DVD drive works. Make sure your video and sound cards have the most current drivers.
Check for firmware updates
From time to time manufacturers publish updates to a CD or DVD drive's internal software (known as firmware). Check your computer manufacturer's website for firmware updates first. This is important because the internal drives used by some companies (including Dell) require special firmware. If an update is not available from the computer manufacturer, check with the company that made the drive. In some cases, firmware for other devices (such as video and sound cards) could affect how the CD or DVD drive works. Make sure your video and sound cards have the latest firmware as well.
Important: Use special care when installing firmware updates. Incorrectly installing a firmware update could damage the drive and make it unusable. Always check with the computer manufacturer first before checking with the drive manufacturer.
Additional steps
If you have more than one optical drive, try using iTunes with each drive.
Burner software conflicts
If iTunes had previously been working and you recently installed some software that also includes CD burning capabilities (including Napster, Audible, or other online music store software), you may need to do a Repair installation of iTunes.
If iTunes still does not recognize audio CDs after you try these steps, it is possible that third-party software has installed device filters on your computer that are contributing to this issue. Learn more about device filters and how to resolve issues they cause.
To assist Apple in identifying affected drives, please provide feedback by running CD Diagnostics in iTunes
Click here for more information.
iTunes for Windows: Can't Import or Play Music From Audio CD
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
Sterling

Can't read old DVD-RAMs

I'm using OS 10.4.11. I have some old DVD-RAM discs with old files on them that I would like to open on my G4 iBook laptop. I also purchased an external DVD-RAM drive that plugs into the USB port on my laptop. It used to read old discs just fine about a year ago, but now when I try I get a message that says the disc I have inserted is "unreadable." Also, I no longer get the icon of the external disc drive that used to appear on my desktop.
I suspect that I've upgraded my system software to the point that this old DVD-RAM stuff no longer works. Does anyone know a way I can access these old discs on my present system?
Thanks for any ideas.
Maria

Hi Maria,
What does System Profiler>Hardware>Disc Burning report for the drive's capability, many do not support DVD-RAM, like mine...
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-109:
Firmware Revision: 1.58
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2000 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW, +R DL
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media:
Media Type: DVD+R DL
Blank: No
Erasable: No
Overwritable: No
Appendable: Yes

Can't read data CDs after upgrading to 5.0

After upgrading to 5.0, I can't read data CDs I've already made from any other programs. When I try to open one, Windows Explorer shows D: drive with no folders or files at all, and 0 bytes used/0 bytes available. I can still play DVDs and audio CDs. iTunes 5.0 opens fine on pc, and I can access/play music, but doesn't recognize my iPod or iPod mini. I'm afraid to download anything else until I get this problem fixed. HELP - please
I've used System Restore to go back to earlier version, and that lets me view/use CDs, but I can't open iTunes - message says some files missing, reinstall iTunes. I've tried to uninstall iTunes through add/remove, but the install shield disappears after starting.

hi Jeanne!
Problem is obviously a software conflict, but I'm lost on how to fix it. And it's getting tiring installing upgrade to use iTunes, then going back to System Restore in order to back up data from other programs - plus I can't believe that's the best thing to do for the pc.
gaah. okay, the fact that a Syetem Restore gets your CD drives back suggests it's a registry issue, and also that we're either getting a conflict with other installed non-MS burning/ripping software
b or
(unfortunately), there is a problem showing up related to such software that you've
b previously uninstalled,
but which has left behind some peculiar registry entries.
so let's try attacking both the ghosts of software present and past.
(1) what other burning/ripping software do you currently have on your PC? can you go into your "about" screens in the packages to let us know the precise version name and number? (the decimal points do make a difference, i'm afraid.)
(2) here are the standard MS troubleshooting documents on CD drive problems. it might be best to start with the
b burning
KB doc, because that has probably the best information/links on the conflict issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324129
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321641/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314096/EN-US/
keep us posted.
love, b

Unable to burn DVDs on iMac. Folders dragged to DVD window appear as documents. DVDs from same package burned OK last year. Using Lion. CDs burn OK.

Unable to burn DVDs on 2009 iMac ( Lion ). Folders and any files dragged to DVD window appear as blank documents.
Burned DVDs from same package ( Memorex ) last year OK. CDs burn OK. DVDs are several years old, if that matters.

The music is a tune that was purchased/downloaded from the iTune store. The slide shows (five of them) consist of digital photos (jpg) that I have taken. The interesting thing is that I also have an eMac (about three years old) that I have created the same iDVD project (identical music & identical slide shows). I have been able to burn a DVD disk of this project on my eMac WITHOUT A PROBLEM. The thing I do not like about the eMac is that I purchased family pack of iLife 6 last year (because I liked some of the new Themes). However, when I installed it on my eMac, for some reason it takes about 5-10 minutes to get iDVD 6 "up and running." Once it has loaded the Themes, however, I am "good to go." I've had this computer into the "Genius Bar" at the local area Apple Store TWICE and they are unable to get it to work more efficiently. The even reinstalled the entire operating system to no avail. So, the solution is to launch iDVD 6 on my eMac and then go do something else for 5-10 minutes. But at least I am able to burn my iDVD projects to DVDs.
With my iMac, iDVD launches quickly but is useless since I am unable to burn my iDVD slide show projects to DVD.
So, as a result, I am pretty much ready to "call it a day" with the iMac and will go back to my eMac.
Thanks for your time.
SCC Jeff

Combo drive only reads DVDs and burned discs!

OK, so I had to wipe my harddrive and reinstall (restore) OSX 10.3 Panther.
After doing that the Combo drive does not mount any "factory" CD's.
It can mount the CD's I burned before the reinstall. It can mount DVD movies, but all program CD's & DVD's do not mount.
I have an external firewire DVD burner that mounts all these discs so the discs are not the problem.
The combo drive can read some CDs and DVDs so the optics are not shot, but the system decides not to mount!

You may want to try resetting the PMU. I had this exact same problem once where my '12 PowerBook G4 wouldn't recognize my iLife '05 DVD-ROM. Resetting the PMU caused it to be able to mount the DVD-ROM again. Here's a link to the Apple Knowledge Base Article with instructions for how to reset the PMU: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449.

ITunes 5 upgrade does not read my cds

I think I went to the wrong section. Here is what I asked, anyone williong to help. Many thanks.
Hi! It is my first posting here since I bought my PowerBook. No problems until I upgraded (through the automatic software upgrade) last week to iTunes 5. I was running ok iTunes and I could play my cds while working, however, now with this last upgrade iTunes does not recognize the audio cds and it does not show up in the left "source" window. What is going on? How do I solve this problem? is it necessary to downgrade (and how do I do it)? Thanks in advance for your kind help:D

I'm having a related problem. iTunes 5 reads commercial CDs ok but CDs burned previously using older versions of iTunes are no longer associated with my library -- so the tracks don't come up with names/artists etc.
does anyone out there know how to restore the pointer / link that associated the playlist filename with the file in the iTunes library?? I've looked at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93952 and have located the CD Info.cidb file in my Library > Preferences -- but what do I do next?
iTunes 5 automatically accesses CDDB but it obviously cannot find my custom mix in the database.
It does read the burned CD OK and will play it.
These are CDs burned from "regular" (not Smart) playlists using an older version of iTunes. The playlists still exist on iT5 and all the songs are still in the library.
I'm assuming this has something to do with the fact that iTunes 5 has relocated the files (?)
Thanks -- I've been searching around for the solution but no luck so far.
Karen

Reading old CDs burned on Windoze

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