[Note: For InCD troubleshooting under win2k see this thread ]

Programs as InCD / DirectCD and InstantWrite, which is so called packet writing software have been designed to make the access of CD-RWs / DVD-RWs easier and to allow writing them via explorer.
The idea itself is of course good, but these progams have proved being rather unreliable.

Getting a freeze / blue screen when writing to a packet writing disc will result in an unreadable disc!

There are several other known bugs without any reliable workaround:

• A disc is formatted, but when you reinstert it, it isn't recognised as being formatted
• The disc works for some time, and suddenly, without any reason, it is unreadable / recognised as not being formatted
• blue screens / freezes caused by packet writing software

The worst is that all packet writing software I know has these issues. Therefore I strongly recommend not to use packet writing but make multisession discs

There are of course some people who have no problem with packet writing (it had worked for me for about 4 years before making the abovementioned crap suddenly), but the risk of data loss is always present and too high in my opinion.

Please don't ask me to state advantages of different packet writing softwares. I don't know any.

Note that these issues have been mainly experienced with InCD, DirectCD and InstantWrite. There may of course be new packet writing software which is more reliable. However, if you try new packet writing software, you should run tests (inluding resetting your PC while writing, so simulate a power loss) before using it to store important data!