CD/DVD brute force copier?

[Gryzor]

So I thought it was about time I archived my old CDs/DVDs - a ton of interesting stuff on them, including my first PC backup from 02/1996


To be expected, several contain files that just won't get copied (cyclic redundancy check error). Strangely the discs look to be in perfect condition - no scratches, no disc rot, but I still can't copy several files.


Can anyone suggest a (Windows) program that will brute-force read and copy whatever it can? I know there used to be a few solutions but I can't find anything that looks remotely up-to-date...

[Shaun M. Neary]

Isobuster busted a load of a unreadable DVD's I was trying to rip to mkv a couple of years back.
It's not free, but there is a trial period (7 or 14 days) I think, so I'd recommend that.

[Gryzor]

Ah I think I do have a license for it from who knows how long ago! Does it copy files though or does it only create images?

[Shaun M. Neary]

Ah I think I do have a license for it from who knows how long ago! Does it copy files though or does it only create images?

It certainly does. It extracts from disks as well as ISO's as well as creating images.

[Gryzor]

I totally forgot that! perhaps why it didn't come to mind... cool, will give it a try, thanks!!

[Gryzor]

Pah, extraction is for the licensed version only...

[eto]

If you want to copy the files and just skip errors, Robocopy might be worth a try. It's part of Windows. I am doing all my file backups with this tool.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy

[Gryzor]

Ha, the successory to xcopy! I didn't have a clue Cheers, going to try it

[Bryce]

You could try CloneCD / CloneDVD? (The one with the sheep) Copied anything I ever threw at it.


Bryce.

[Gryzor]

Ah thanks, will put that on the list. Right now attempting a DVD with retro magazines with "Recovery Toolbox for CD".

[kailokyra]

You can try several models of drives as well, not all lasers and tracking mecanisms are created equal  .
Some of my discs are already unreadable, it's a good thing that you're backuping them now.


You can try with Aaru https://github.com/aaru-dps/Aaru, but otherwise maybe create an iso with Isobuster as Shaun suggested (the extraction might need a license, but I don't think the image creation does ?)

[Devlin]

The only other thought I can think of is putting WSL on your box and then using dd to read the data - the image would still likely have crc errors, but you'd have a *copy* of it to work with than your original discs.

[SkulleateR]

Try the Unstoppable Copier 


https://www.roadkil.net/program.php?ProgramID=29

[Gryzor]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I'm not copying the discs that show no issues, will get back to the problematic ones once I'm done with them

[jimmyd]

https://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/ may be of help

[Gryzor]

https://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/ may be of help

Time to test that WSL under W11!

[Bryce]

Time to test that WSL under W11!

Please don't say you were silly enough to press the "Upgrade to Win11" button! 

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

Was going to format, thought I'd check it out first!

[Bryce]

Read the feedback on the interwebs, it'll save you the bother.

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

I have! I also have a use for Android apps though... and wsl GUI apps.

So far so good to be honest. If you ignore the slowdowns and the bt stutter with a specific mouse. And Edge insisting doing its own stuff.

[Shaun M. Neary]

Please don't say you were silly enough to press the "Upgrade to Win11" button! 

Bryce.

Oh God! Our workplace are hmming and hawing about jumping to it.
I am dreading that day.

[Bryce]

I only had to read the list of programs that I use that would be no longer compatible to know that I won't be touching it.

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

Oh God! Our workplace are hmming and hawing about jumping to it.
I am dreading that day.

AT WORK? Heck no😬😬😬 That'll be a disaster...

I only had to read the list of programs that I use that would be no longer compatible to know that I won't be touching it.

Bryce.

I don't have anything really heavy or complicated apart from Adobe CS, so I'm good, what wouldn't work for you?

[jimmyd]

Maybe take the Win11 discussion somewhere more appropriate?

[Shaun M. Neary]

AT WORK? Heck no😬😬😬 That'll be a disaster...

Yep... hence why I'm shitting myself at the prospect of it!