Tips for producing a Usable NAV Disc Backup

[linuxkidd]

I hope this can help some members create a good working backup of their NAV Disc media. Comments/Suggestions welcome!

Thanks!
LK

1. Image Integrity: VERIFY your image is a good image BEFORE you burn. If the image you are using is supplied with an MD5SUM file, take the time to grab an md5sum utility for your Operating System ( Linux and Mac users probably already have it ). Most of these tools run from the command line, and go something like:

	Code:
	md5sum FILENAME.iso

This will spit out a series of letters and numbers. Compare the result to that included inside the MD5SUM file. Another common check is SHA1SUM. This is fairly new, but works much the same way.

2. Media Brand: NO Memorex Media. I've not heard a single success story with this brand. The top contender is Verbatim DVD+R DL. This media seems to be the preferred Media of our NAV units.

3. Media Cleanliness: Several things can lead to disaster when burning media. As strange as it sounds, even a spec of dust can cause a bad burn. Always keep your media in it's original container ( sealed if they are wrapped individually ) until you are ready to load it in the drive for burning. Think of it this way. The laser is actually changing a layer in the Burnable media. If there's something on the disc, this will prevent the laser from being able to reach this layer and change it. Thus, the data never gets written in that area. Once the disc is burned, dust and light scratches aren't as bit of a deal because the data already exists on the disc. You can clean the disc, or buff it, and read the data again. Not the case if the data never gets there.

4. Media Physical Integrity: Even new media can have phsical defects. Check the media out. Look for bubbles or pimples in the label surface, scratches in the label surface and the writing side. Many people don't realize that the actual data is contained on the bottom side of the label itself. The rest of the plastic is just there to keep it rigid. Also check for chips and cracks. These can lead to catastrophic failure of the media INSIDE the drive. The drives spin the media at high speeds in many cases. Any flaw in the media can cause the disc to shatter when it gets to these speeds and possibly damage the drive itself ( never mind the danger flying shrapnel can be to flesh ). [ Don't believe it? Check out this guy's gallery. ]

5. Burn Speed: I've had success all the way up to 4.1x ( max my DL Burner supports ). However, if you have issues burning at your max speed, force the burn to go to it's lowest supported speed. Slower burn speeds (usually) mean better media burn in, and better readability by other DVD Readers.

6. Labels: NO LABLES! Don't tape or stick anything on the disc. You can gum up your Nav unit very quickly by doing this. Use a felt tipped marker ( Sharpie ) if you need to label the disc. Labels also throw the media out of balance ( consider your car tires as a good comparison ). Out of balance media will cause excessive vibration, and lead to reading errors, as well as early failure of the drive itself.

[newchargerguy]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by linuxkidd
	2. Media Brand: NO Memorex Media. I've not heard a single success story with this brand. The top contender is Verbatim DVD+R DL. This media seems to be the preferred Media of our NAV units.

I just used Memorex on mine and it seems to work just fine? What kind of problems might I expect to encounter?

I did verify the disk image and burned at the highest speed my burner would do.

[Token]

Memorex working fine here too.

[linuxkidd]

I'm really surprised about the Memorex media working. I picked up a spindle of 25, and went through about 7 of them before I switched back to Verbatim..

Congrats on getting it to work!

On my NAV unit ( in the Jeep ) I wouldn't read the disc at all.. Just gave Disc Error when I put it in. On a buddies Nav unit, the same disc worked fine until he tried to route to an address.. Then he got the Disc Read errors..

LK

[Token]

I didn't use the Memorex discs from a spindle, rather the ones that are individually packed in the jewel cases.

Also burn was done very slooooooooooooooooow

[linuxkidd]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Token
	I didn't use the Memorex discs from a spindle, rather the ones that are individually packed in the jewel cases.

That may very well be the difference. I did a very close inspection of the discs on the spindle before I used them, and discarded a few just from physical defects alone... The Jewel case enclosed media will probably be more reliable.. ( I used Jewel case enclosed Verbatim media.. )

LK

[Nightshade]

I backed up AD before and now AE both on Memorex.. No problems at all.. Not media from a spindle though..

[MySRT]

What software is being used to burn ISO files. I have Sonic MyDVD LE and it does not offer any ISO features. Is there any shareware out there that you have used. Thanks,

[linuxkidd]

Try this software...
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/ISOBurn.htm


It uses a free opensource burning tool called CDRecord as the backend.

I've not tried it, but it looks promising..
Let me know how it goes!

LK

**Re-Added link... Known false alarm.

[hawkxp]

My memorex (from a spindle no less) worked fine as well... However I only have a 2.4 speed DL burner.

Scott

[Token]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by linuxkidd
	Try this software... <---deleted link--> It uses a free opensource burning tool called CDRecord as the backend. I've not tried it, but it looks promising.. Let me know how it goes! LK

Does look pretty good in one way, but when I tried to get a closer look...
ANTI-VIRUS DETECTION ALERT

The anti-virus scanner was triggered by this file. The file was not cleaned and has been removed.
Context: 'burniso.zip'
Detection(s): 'New Malware.n (trojan)'

[Todd RT]

Anyone recommend a certain DVD Burner?

[nhdave]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Todd RT
	Anyone recommend a certain DVD Burner?

Hell, you can pick up a Sony dual layer on newegg for 30bucks..

[linuxkidd]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Token
	Does look pretty good in one way, but when I tried to get a closer look... ANTI-VIRUS DETECTION ALERT The anti-virus scanner was triggered by this file. The file was not cleaned and has been removed. Context: 'burniso.zip' Detection(s): 'New Malware.n (trojan)'

Woops... That doesn't sound good at all.. My apologies... I'll go back and delete the link... Token, please do the same.. Don't want someone following accidentally..




***** BREAKING NEWS *****
This is a known false alarm... Did some more digging. I added a different link above that states this false alarm status.


THANKS!
LK

[Token]

Good thinking LK, I pulled the link too.