Filler data to make a full CD - burning DC

[QBert]

Hey guy n gals.

I have a question when burning DC disk images for my backups.
Nothing that I don't believe is wrong to ask, but if I am going against the rules, please lock this thread and yell at me. ;)

I recall reading that you can add filler materials(zeros and ones) type of data to a disk when you are burning so that it fills the disk right up. If you are say buring a DC image that isnt enough info to fill up the entire disk.
I heard over time this can cause damage to the laser, as DC games are read from the outside, in.

Am I on crack here?

If not, where can one find this "filler data"?
Ive looked and looking still, and have asked people I know, NO ONE has heard of this.

Thanks
QBert

[ddockery]

There used to be utilities out there to reate filler data for you after you specify a size. Try searchig in google for "Dreamcast copies filler" or soemthing like that It's bound to still be out there, if nothing else for all the homebrew stuff people are still cranking out.

[QBert]

Thanks man, I did try searching Google, but like you said, its gotta still be there.
It was only a week ago, gotta be around.

thanks.

QBert

[Flack]

Here's a great site for DC tools:

http://www.megagames.com/dc/dc_utils.shtml

Basically the idea is to make a dummy file and name it alphabetically before any of the other files, so that the other files are pushed to the outside of the disc. It won't hurt your DC to not do this, and how much faster any game would run is debatable.

Read this for more info:

http://www.errie.tmfweb.nl/dcbackupfaq.htm

[goatdan]

The whole thing about the Dreamcast lasers being damaged by the data being too close together is a load of crap. CD Lenses are made to read CD data. Sega came up with that myth to try to stifle the rampant DC piracy that was going on, and it is still believed to this day that it will actually hurt your 'Cast.

I have run a number of burned discs in my Dreamcast (Feet of Fury betas, DC Tonic CD, Midwest Classic demo disc, etc.) and I have never had a problem. The burnt Feet of Fury copies spent hours and hours on in my 'Cast at a time, and I'm still on my original one :)

[QBert]

The whole thing about the Dreamcast lasers being damaged by the data being too close together is a load of crap. CD Lenses are made to read CD data. Sega came up with that myth to try to stifle the rampant DC piracy that was going on, and it is still believed to this day that it will actually hurt your 'Cast.

I have run a number of burned discs in my Dreamcast (Feet of Fury betas, DC Tonic CD, Midwest Classic demo disc, etc.) and I have never had a problem. The burnt Feet of Fury copies spent hours and hours on in my 'Cast at a time, and I'm still on my original one :)

word, thanks man.

QBert

[portnoyd]

http://schwillz.com/dummyadd.zip

This should help you out.

dave