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Freeware
for Computer Media 
DOS and Windows software for quality tests provided without technical support or warranties.
DISCLAIMER: All programs are provided as is, with no warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose. Media Sciences has not scanned the files for viruses, and does not provide technical support for any of the following software.
INSTRUCTIONS: Unless noted otherwise, programs must run under DOS. They are not Windows(TM) programs. All executable programs are provided as compressed, ZIP or self-extracting files. After downloading, create an appropriate directory, copy the downloaded file to that directory, then unzip the file or run it by entering the command "filename.exe" from a DOS prompt. The resulting files are now ready for use. You may then delete the downloaded file after copying it to an archive.
CAUTION: Free or inexpensive test software utilizes a user-supplied test drive. Accuracy and correlation may be poor unless special precautions are taken. Results should be supplemented with comprehensive testing by a professional lab such as Media Sciences.
Please use a search engine if linked sites are not available.
A Win 95/98/NT/2000/XP diagnostic utility at http://fusion.zejn.si/ or at http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/ that finds corrupted files on CDs. It can also do a binary compare.
Printable ruler shows ATime and radius for 63, 74, and 80 minute CD discs.
cdatime.pdf (17.1K, Adobe Acrobat® Reader required,)
or download CDATIME.EXE, 28.2K compressed, self-extracting file.
Win 95/98/2000/NT/XP software from Nero and Erik Deppe at http://www.cdspeed2000.com/ or at http://users.pandora.be/erik.deppe/ CD-ROM drives are benchmarked based on transfer rates. Bad discs require retries/reseeks that reduce the transfer rate. Performs disc quality checks with certain drives. DOS versions also available.
Helpful Win 95/98/NT/XP software from Gluckert, Machelett & Partner. This program returns the media code identifier of CD-R discs that identifies manufacturer and write strategy (dye type.) It works with most recorders. Download from http://www.cdr-forum.de/shownews.php3?show=34, from http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/CDR-Media-Code-Identifier.shtml, or from http://www.cdr.cz/software/cdr_identifier
Win 98/Me/2000/XP utility from busTRACE at http://www.bustrace.com/ provides detailed information about CD/DVD devices. Source code and BusTrace available for purchase.
Catalog at http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_utils.shtml links to many CD and DVD utilities.
cdrecord, mkisofs, mkhybrid, and other shareware for HP-UX, Linux, SGI IRIX, Solaris, SunOS, and other operating systems. Download from http://linux.about.com/library/cmd/blcmdl8_mkhybrid.htm, from http://www.andante.org/mkisofs.html, or from http://www.the-labs.com/CDROM/.
Second order polynomial least squares curve fitting and interpolation are used to obtain accurate results from magnetic saturation curve measurements. Manually entered data for diskettes, tape, and other magnetic media is statistically analyzed to provide precise values for Test Recording Current, Typical Field, Optimum Recording Current, Test Erase Current, or Eraseability.
Download CURVEFIT.EXE Version 1.0, 6-07-92, 57,598 byte compressed, self-extracting file. No Warranty or Tech Support!
Provided courtesy of Enterprise Corporation International http://www.eciusa.com/, this useful program supports quality evaluation of CD-ROM discs after sector level error correction. Inspects sectors for uncorrectable errors. Checks for subcode skew and for correct post gap. Reads Table of Contents. Displays file structure and sector contents.
Commercial versions are available. Win95 based Disc Inspector Professional supports data verification, but is not recommended for WinNT. Contact All Things CDR http://www.allthingscdr.com/allthings-cdr/mediatools.html (1-800-599-5631) to purchase. Enterprise Corporation International http://www.eciusa.com/ (515-282-4490) is the parent company.
Download DISCDET.EXE Version 2.92, 7-01-95, 119,028 byte compressed, self-extracting file. No Warranty or Tech Support!
Win 95/98/2000/NT/XP software at http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/ retrieves and interprets pre-recorded information from DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/-RW media.
Nic Wilson's Win 95/98/NT/2000/XP software at http://www.dvdinfopro.com/ provides information, tests, and tools for DVD discs and drives, supporting some, but not all, recordable and rewritable formats. Use of all features of the program may require a specific DVD drive.
Win 2000/XP only utility from busTRACE at http://www.bustrace.com/ shows utilization percentage for primary and secondary IDE channels. Filter Driver Load Order and GUID Explorer utilities also available at no charge.
Win 95/98/2000/NT/XP software from Nero at http://www.cdspeed2000.com/ identifies CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD read/write capabilities. It can also report some disc information, IDE/SCSI configurations, DMA status, and software versions. DriveSpeed software can set the speed of some drives.
K's Win 95/98/2000/NT/XP CD/DVD Probe conducts limited media quality tests using LiteOn writers. Info and download at http://www.k-probe.com . Or Download KProbe from forum at http://club.cdfreaks.com/, select LiteOn under Recording Hardware forum, then select Comprehensive LiteOn Tools Collection. Also see comments under DVD Media for interpretation of errors. http://www.videohelp.com/ is an alternate download site.
Win 95/98/2000/NT/XP software Plextor at http://www.plextools.com/ provides disc and drive information and drive benchmarks. Performs disc quality checks with certain Plextor drives. PlexTools Professional XL has broad capabilities including CD and DVD recording functions.
This Windows program allows the user to check actual vs. advertised CD and DVD drive speeds. Available from InfinaDyne (formerly Arrowkey) at http://www.infinadyne.com/
Win XP only utility from busTRACE at http://www.bustrace.com/ provides detailed information about CD recorders using IMAPI interface.
These useful programs support quality evaluation of CD and DVD discs. Error Summary determines error rates. Sector level error correction and retries can be turned off for many drives. Conducts analysis for logical defects. Reads Table of Contents. Displays volume info, multisession directories, file structure, and sector contents. Fourteen-day free trial evaluation version of CD/DVD Diagnostic is available from InfinaDyne (formerly Arrowkey) at http://www.infinadyne.com/.
This software examines information transferred from the drive to the host, and cannot conduct parameter and error rate tests conducted by dedicated equipment. Supports Win95, Win98, WinNT, and WinXP. Contact InfinaDyne (formerly Arrowkey) at http://www.infinadyne.com/ to register a downloaded copy.
CD/DVD Inspector includes features of CD/DVD Diagnostic and adds a graphic error summary, multi-volume directory display, CD+G analysis, and search capability. Contact InfinaDyne (formerly Arrowkey) at http://www.infinadyne.com/ for more information or to purchase the software.
CD Structure intensively tests logical CD-ROM quality to the ISO 9660 standard, and its El Torito, Joliet, HFS, Rock Ridge Extensions, and XA. CD-DA discs are qualified to Red Book. The Table of Contents and gaps are also evaluated. Contact InfinaDyne (formerly Arrowkey) at http://www.infinadyne.com/ for more information or to purchase the software.
