Copying CDs

[bscott at ntisys.com]

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004, at 9:19am, michael.odonnell at comcast.net wrote:
> IIRC, bootable CDs (El Torito spec) have a section on them (not accessible
> by normal means) ...

  As I understand it, this is actually part of ISO-9660 (or an extension
thereof), and thus it may be readable using plain old "dd".  However, I have
never tried.

> I think stuff like the ISO9660 TOC (table of contents) might also require
> special handling.

  As I understand it, the TOC (Table Of Contents) is actually part of the
original "Red Book" CD standard.  It identifies the tracks on the disk, and
where they start and end.  It is not part of ISO-9660, which is basically
just a filesystem standard.

> If that readcd app handles all those issues you'll almost certainly have
> better luck with that.

  My understanding is that a simple "dd" command can have trouble with the
features used to support multi-session discs.  My understanding is really
iffy here, though, so I cannot provide anything solid.  As you say, if all
you're interested in is the ISO-9660 filesystem that the "sr" and "ide-cd"  
drivers present to the "iso9660" filesystem driver, "dd" should, in theory,
work.  But again, there is an element of magic to all this for me, so I
prefer to be better safe then sorry.  :-)

-- 
Ben Scott <bscott at ntisys.com>
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