Existing users, 
After forking over the money for the latest update and attempting to back up to CD-RW, I'm being driven crazy by Retrospect doing initial backups, and with luck a few more, and then suddenly saying it can't read the very CDs it has formatted itself. I get the dialogue box that they are unrecognizable and write protected, which they are not (and as they are formatted by Retrospect, the Finder can't read them to let me get at the permissions - true Catch 22!). There's no point in contacting Dantz because, as we all know, they won't respond. Please, does anyone have a solution or suggestion before I waste any more CDs?
Like so many others, I am just so sick of Retrospect, its glitches, horrible interface and the appalling lack of response from Dantz. I had trouble in the past and switched to Synk for ordinary backup - a simple and reliable piece of freeware. The problem is that for incremental backups, adding new versions rather than having them replace older versions, you are stuck with Retrospect, as far as I know.
Retrospect
Advanced backup software.
Version: 8.1.626
Can't read CD-RWs it has formatted itself
Feedback Type: Troubleshooting Report
Contributed by: malcolmcoad_dotmac Monday, July 12 2004 @ 04:45 PM PDT
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: 1-6 months
System Info:1.6 GHz G5 with 512 MB RAM running OS 10.3.4.
Comments
Can't read CD-RWs it has formatted itself - bob_stern
Here's advice posted to the Retrospect Talk email discussion list by Dantz employee Amy Jensen <ajensen@dantz.com> in response to a complaint about problems with the built-in CD-R drive on an iMac. It seems that CD-R media might work better than CD-RW."Retrospect does not support the use of high speed CD-RW media with this drive. What brands of media have you tried? As Dave noted, Apple and Verbatim are both great brands, along with TDK and Sony. Stay away from anything store branded (CompUSA, Staples, etc.). I've had issues with Imation and Memorex."
Here's additional advice posted by a list member:
"Try creating a custom configuration for the drive. It'll cost you a blank CD-R, but it's worth the test. Directions are on page 33 of the Retrospect User's Guide.pdf" file that is distributed with the program: Chapter 3: Hardware > Recordable and Rewritable Disk Drives > Configuring CD/DVD Drives"
Wednesday, July 14 2004 @ 01:46 PM PDT
Can't read CD-RWs it has formatted itself - allen_a_watson_dotmac
You mention being stuck with Retrospect for incremental backups. Not so. "Tri-Backup" does very nice incrementals, with several flavors. See it at http://www.tri-edre.com/english/tribackup.htmlWednesday, July 14 2004 @ 03:16 PM PDT
Can't read CD-RWs it has formatted itself - malcolmcoad_dotmac
Having sounded off yesterday about Dantz, it's only fair to add that they do have a well-organized set of forums on their website at http://dantz1.conxion.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=0&C=3. In my fury this slipped my mind, which only goes to show that you should always check out the developer's website and forums before slagging them off elsewhere (however much they may deserve it sometimes!). Personally I didn't get any joy from them there on previous occcasions, but they do sometimes reply there. I've now taken my issue there too, if without great hopes - so I'd still be grateful for any help here... Phew, conscience relieved, at least.Reply to This
Tuesday, July 13 2004 @ 09:01 AM PDT