DOS Games Discussion

RE: The CD-R

Nope. Your seeinging things. The file system is finalized, and the size cut to match. Even if you somehow managed to make the files not visible, you wouldnt be able to put more data on it.

That's only if you finalize the disc. If you use multisession, you can keep adding to it until the disc is full (210 MB, 650 MB, 700 MB, or whatever). I use multisession a lot (burn once a day for lots of days until I use all 700 Mb). Most classic CD-ROM drives can easily read multisession CD-R's.

Even with multisession, the floppy disk is still better for small files since multisession adds about 5 MB or so each separate burning time. If you only burn one file at a time, you'd probably fill the CD with less than 100 MB of small files. Also the wear and tear of the CD burner.

Albeit if you still disdain the floppy disk, set aside one CD-R for MISCELLANOUS data. Make sure you use multisession.

For those that don't know, multisession does NOT work for music (CD player format). It only works for data/files. i.e. you need to burn all the songs at the same time, can't put one song on and add more later. A few people figured that out too late and ended up with CD-Rs with one or two songs on them, thinking that they could add more later as they found them.

Wally*Won_Kenobie wrote:what about USB memory keys?

At the risk of sounding naive... what the heck are those?

I guess he's talking about those pocket hard drives that plug into USB ports. Plug it in, it automatically assigns itself a drive letter, I think.

They come in different sizes, 64 MB, 128 MB, maybe bigger.

Yeah those may be a decent alternative to CD-R's and floppies. But the problem is that some computers don't have USB ports (Pentium 1 and under). And they are mighty expensive too (about $50.00 CAD or so in Radio Shack). At least floppies are only about 50 cents each.

Why would want to shell out $30 for something I'd never use when I can buy a 100 pack of useful floppies for the same money?

well one 128 mb memory Key = 88.8 floppies thus it lasts longer (acording to The author)

100 pack for $30?

I dont think so.

I got a 100 pack of Maxell floppy disks for about $30.00 at Costco/Price Club.

http://www.discountofficesupplies.com/ce/shop/ui

100 pack floppy disks, EXP 3.5 Diskettes, IBM Formatted, Double-Sided, High Density. $23.84.
Floppy disk drive, $25 dollars.
Seeing the look of disbelief on Wally's face, priceless.

USB keys are 49.99 CAD for 256mn. And no, they do not assign a drive letter. They are recognised as USB keys in Windows, and require a driver disk.

Oh, so that makes them even more clunky. Stick with floppies and CD-Rs folks, you don't want to put registry/DLL junk on your friend's/school's computer.

Albeit they do have their niche I guess. But I don't know why anyone would buy them in lieu of DVD/CD burning or floppy disks unless they were in the upper class/rich.

Kazer0 wrote:USB keys are 49.99 CAD for 256mn. And no, they do not assign a drive letter. They are recognised as USB keys in Windows, and require a driver disk.

You dont need driver disks for XP... Its self installed

Wally, it's time you've learnt that not everyone here uses Windows XP...

anyway, I just bought a new HDD last night. 120gig WD w/ 8mb cache. AMAZING HDD. I was able to format it and install Windows XP in a whopping 7 minutes.

-Richard-

Dogbreath wrote:Wally, it's time you've learnt that not everyone here uses Windows XP...

I knew that somehow..

I knew Wardrich and Kazer0 have XP...
Drivers for win 98/me/95.

Yikes Wardrich! That's almost like a RAM drive! How much did it cost?

Maybe if that hard drive was in a Pentium MMX, that PMMX might be faster than a Pentium II (of course, the 8.4 GB limit, you can still use that drive, but not all of its space)

Wally*Won_Kenobie wrote:

Dogbreath wrote:Wally, it's time you've learnt that not everyone here uses Windows XP...

I knew that somehow..

I knew Wardrich and Kazer0 have XP...
Drivers for win 98/me/95.

Um... no. Just no.

1) They do nt always work for XP. The ones we have, and every one i've seen and used so far has needed drivers in XP.

2) I use Windows 2000, dual booted withe Windows 2003 Server.

1) I didnt say they all work for those systems

2) LAST time i spoke to you, you had XP

And back to the old question:

Why should I spend so much money and time and sacrifice so much compatibility to get one of those pocket HDDs to work when I can get better storage options on floppy's for half the price?

JMS wrote:Yikes Wardrich! That's almost like a RAM drive! How much did it cost?

Maybe if that hard drive was in a Pentium MMX, that PMMX might be faster than a Pentium II (of course, the 8.4 GB limit, you can still use that drive, but not all of its space)

I'm thinking there may have been a glitch in the timer, but I do know FOR SURE that it took under 20 minutes. The HDD was about $133 (can).



-Richard-

Wally*Won_Kenobie wrote:1) I didnt say they all work for those systems

Buddy, what are you talking about? You just said it worked for XP. Make up your mind.

[edited for friendlier reading]