Making CD-ROMs with long filenames
Here's how to make complete archive copies of Unix directories on the
CD-ROM writer on Babel. The normal
procedure restricts file names to 8+3 format. With the procedure
outlined here you can retain UNIX file names, file creation dates, and
full directory structure, on a CD-ROM that can be read both in Windows 95
and Unix. A possible penalty is that the CD-ROM will be in a different
format than the "minimal" standard and might be harder to read
in the future. Also the cases of file names might get messed up, and
you can't have two files in the same directory with names that are identical
apart from case, such as "myfile" and "Myfile" (this is a basic limitation of Windows 95, and a good idea
in my opinion).
The Procedure
- Use tar to archive the directories on the UNIX machine.
- ftp the tar file to drive "E:\" on "Babel", the CD-writing PC.
- Unpack the tar file on the PC using the "WinZip" program, (not the
DOS "tar" program, which doesn't understand long file names).
Important: in the Options/Configuration box of the "WinZip"
interface, uncheck the "TAR File Smart CR/LF Conversion" box. If this
is left checked, floating point numbers in FITS files, and perhaps
elsewhere, are messed up in the unpacking process. Put the unpacked
directories on drive "D:\". If WinZip finds two files with the same
name but different case, it will ask you which one to overwrite. WinZip
may quit if you have files with pathological names (including nonprinting
characters, for instance), but you can continue by selecting all files
after the bad one and re-issuing the "extract" command.
- Repeat steps 1-3 till you have all your data transfered and unpacked.
Total data volume should be less than about 640 MB.
- Delete the tar files from the E: drive
- Start EzCdPro on the PC. Select 'New CD' from the menu that
comes up. This will open the CD writing control window. Open
the D: drive from My Computer or the destop shortcut. Select
the files and/or directories you want to put on the CD (shift+
left-click adds to the selection), and then drag them to the
CD writer window. The total size and # of files will be displayed.
- Set other CD writing params:
- Volume Info: enter a name for the CD
- File Names: select "Romeo". This is different from the usual
"ISO 9660 Compliant" setting. The "Joliet" setting will produce
long file names that are readable from Windows 95 but not from UNIX.
- Load Contents: ignore this tab
- General: Have several things to set here.
- deselect 'write on the fly'
- set temp directory to E:\ This will force the computer
to write an image of the CD first. If the image works
the CD will be written correctly.
- write speed is 2x
- do not test the write
- session type should be CD-ROM (Mode 1)
- close disc should be unchecked
- disc at once should be unchecked
- Insert blank cd in the caddy and into the writer
- From the top pull-down get the CD-Write menu, and select write.
A dialog showing files being added to the "image" will come up,
then another saying "fixing" various files, then finally one
saying writing file "blah" will come up. The CD will be ejected
when it is done.
Return to Spencer Home Page