We suggest using the following procedures in the preparation of a master CD-R (data):
- Keep your CD-R's clean and free from moisture, dust, smudges, fingerprints, scratches, glue, spaghetti sauce, and chewing gum.
- Assemble folders and files on a local hard disk; then write to a CD-R. (Do not write from the hard disk on a server.) Virus-check your data, before recording.
- Use a high-quality CD-R (compact disc-recordable). Do not use a CD-RW (compact disc-rewritable).
- Write data from the hard drive to the master CD-R in a single session, to a single track, using "disk-at-once" mode for data CD-R's. For audio CD-R's use "disk-at-once" or "track-at-once" mode. (Do not use packet-writing mode, such as "DirectCD" or an equivalent.)
- Create your master CD-R at a write speed of not more than 8x. (A slower write speed reduces the likelihood of a buffer underrun.) If you run into problems, reduce the speed even further.
- Optionally, customize the volume label on the master CD. By default, the volume label will be, depending on your software, either (a) a random selection of numbers and alpha characters or (b) a date/time stamp, e.g., 031127_1635 (2003 - Nov 27 - 4:35 pm). To help with identification, you may want to enter a specific, descriptive name for the master in the volume label.
- Make sure that your master CD-R is closed, i.e., finalized, at the end of the recording session.
- Thoroughly evaluate and test your original master CD-R. We strongly recommend evaluation and testing (1) on one or more PC's other than the one that was used to create the master and (2) on PC's using different (various) operating systems.
- Make two (2) copies of the original master, using your CD-ROM and CD-R (or CD-RW) drives, and appropriate software, such as Adaptec's (Roxio's) Easy CD Creator. Keep one of these two copies for reference. (This copy procedure is a good check of the integrity of your original master.)
- Send two master CD-R's to Haw River: (1) the original master written from your hard drive and (2) a copy of that original master. Label the masters accordingly as "original master written from hard drive" and "copy of original master."
- Label all masters completely, including, at least, (1) your company or agency name, (2) the title of the CD, and (3) the date the masters were created.
- Repeat #1, above.
Note: As an alternative to the procedures outlined above, a master CD can be created from a CD image file (*.cif). We think the procedures set out above are preferable, in that they are more direct, and they enable redundant checks.
