I backed up one of the computer program by copying it on a cd R (that
was few years ago by using windows 95 at that time. now I am trying to
open the cd under windows xp, it open the cd but shows nothing ( just
empty cd / blank screen) with no folders or files appear.
the cd properties shows that the copied part is 638mega bytes and
empty space is around 13mega bytes and the file system is CDFS.
I do not know how to run this cd or make it work. How can I make
folder or files appear?

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 10 Apr 2003 16:29 PDT

hi aaaghgh-ga!

What program did you burn the CD with? For instance if it was Easy CD
Creator, it's likely only Easy CD Creator will open it.

--Cynthia

Hello aaaghgh,

Thank you for your question.

The more I thought about my comment and solution, the more convinced I
am that this is your problem:

"My hunch is that the CD you burned wasn't "closed" but left open to
add more files to it. Consequently, it must be read by a CD burning
program that can finalize the disc, and then will show the files in
Windows Explorer or another file manager."

The solution is to finalize the disc. Probably the most popular
program to do this is Roxio's EZCDCreator:

http://www.roxio.com/en/products/ecdc/index.jhtml

Easy CD & DVD Creator™ 6 is Roxio's new Digital Media Suite™! Rip,
play, edit, organize and burn your digital music with new
AudioCentral™. Preserve memories in electronic albums, create photo
slide shows, print or e-mail photos with new PhotoSuite® Limited
Edition. Make DVD movies with professional transitions and animated
menus to play on your home DVD player with new DVD Builder™. Create
personalized disc labels with Label Creator™. Save large data projects
to multiple discs with Creator Classic or copy personal discs with
Disc Copier. Do more with your digital media with this powerful,
easy-to-use and fully integrated product!

This program sells for $79.95, or you may be able to find a friend
with it installed. It comes with many new computers that have CD
Burners installed.

Once you find or buy this program, or one similar, simply place the
disc into the burner. In most cases, it will open EZCDCreator
automatically for you. Select "FinalizeCD" from the file menu and it
will write a table of contents that will then make you CD readable
from a standard CD ROM drive.

I trust this will solve your CD-R problem. If a link above should fail
to work or anything require further explanation or research, please do
post a Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer and
closing the question and I will be pleased to assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

My hunch is that the CD you burned wasn't "closed" but left open to
add more files to it. Consequently, it must be read by a CD burning
program that can finalize the disc, and then will show the files in
Windows Explorer or another file manager.

-=clouseau=-

Good call clouseau!  I bet that's it!

--Cynthia