DVD verification

[Danny R]

Does anyone know of a program that can verify a burned CD or DVD against source files? The primary information on these is saved in data mode, not music or video formats, although verifying the later would be nice as well, but isn't mandatory for our purposes.

I've got a weird computer that for some reason, when running Nero and it starts the verify process, it locks up at that point. The same thing happens with other burning programs.

I've tried reinstalling and other fixes, and think it likely is a problem with the drive. But this user doesn't want to spend money on a new one right away, so we are looking for a workaround that can do the verification after the fact.

[cdru]

Are you looking to compare the files or the entire image? Comparing the files would just be as simple as performing a MD5 hash or sum on the file. While theoretically two files could have the same hash, the probability of it is very remote.

[Danny R]

I'm burning files mostly, not images. What tool would I use to perform this hash?

[ntexasdude]

I think what cdru meant was an "image" of the disc like an ISO image of the entire data structure on a particular disc. No??? I don't think he was referring to images like jpg's.

[Danny R]

Yes, I was refering to disk images as well. ;)

[cdru]

Yes I was referring to disc images and pictures.

You could use a program like this one (http://www.brandonstaggs.com/filecheckmd5.html) to generate the images. Assemble your files to be burned in a directory and run the program. It will generate hashes for each file and then store everything in a "checkfile" in the top most directory. Burn your image using whatever method you want. Then run the program again, this time using the CD's version of the "checkfile" to compare the previously generated hashes to what is on the disc.

There are a variety of other programs that will do the same thing. Unix/Linux machines come with a command line version called sum. There are a others for just about every OS out there. Just do a google search for "MD5 Sum Windows" for instance for Windows-based applications.

[zmark]

dvdinfopro can compare both files and ISO images. Also look at tools like QuickPar to generate parity files to burn on the disc along with your files. Then you can verify the disk without needing the original files.

[cdru]

Also look at tools like QuickPar to generate parity files to burn on the disc along with your files. Then you can verify the disk without needing the original files.This is probably a better idea then what I mentioned. With the PAR or PAR2 file, you not only can detect that a file has become corrupt, but it can also correct it. If you are archiving data, this would be nice in case the disc became scratched or otherwise wasn't readable in one spot, but the rest of the disc was ok.