Using Files on CD or CD-RW

Problem

User is trying to run Goldenseal business management software from a CD or CD-RW, or open a company file that is on a CD. They get a message saying that the file is on a locked volume. If it's a CD-RW they may be confused because they think it's a rewriteable medium just like a hard drive (see note below).

Always suspect a CD if they mention something about restoring from a backup.

This may also happen in Windows if they drag a backup file icon from CD to hard drive (which just copies a shortcut). When they try to use the file "on the hard disk" it will still just open the file from the CD and give the locked volume error.

Diagnosis

To confirm this problem, you may need to be very clear about where the file is located (the user may not realize it's on a CD).

WINDOWS-- If necessary, have them close all windows, then open My Computer, and see which drive they are using to get to the file. If it's not on the C drive then it's probably on a CD.

MAC-- If necessary, have them close all windows, then open whichever drive has the file on it.

Solution

They will need to move the file to a hard drive to use it.

WINDOWS-- moving a file from a CD to a hard disk is not trivial. Click here for instructions!

MAC-- drag the icon from the CD to the hard drive. Run it from there.

Comments

BACKGROUND-- Goldenseal changes the company file, even if you are just looking at it (for security reasons we log all accesses into the Audit Trail). Since files on a CD can't be changed, Goldenseal gives an error message when you try to open a file that is on a CD.

This problem also applies to a CD-RW. Users may think that because it is rewriteable, that they can use a CD-RW as if it were a hard drive. Nope. Tell them to consider it as a regular CD, just one that can be erased and rewritten a few times (CD-RW's actually have a relatively short life because the dyes are not made to be erased large numbers of times).

Entered 1/18/05 by Dennis.