Unable to write files to CD

Question

I have an old Dell Dimension 4400 running Windows XP Sp3. I am unable to write files to the CD. I first noticed this when I was using Quicken and tried to back up my files (which I do every 4 weeks to CD RW media). To my knowledge, nothing significant had been changed on my computer in the previous 4 weeks. I then tried to use Roxio Easy CD Creator (which I tend to use to copy files to CD) and it would not recognise the CD Drive whereas previously it had worked for many years with no problems. I have gone back to a restore point but to no avail. I disabled the driver and rebooted the system but to no avail. I can use Nero and copy files to the CD but it first erases everything on the CD. Even when I try 'drag and drop' I receive an Error report saying 'Files on this CD-ROM drive are Read only. You cannot copy or move files over to this CD-ROM). Can anyone please advise me what steps I should take to try to analyse and resolve the problem?

Rod Stocker · Answer

Thanks 5150Guy - I have tried this but no joy. Interestingly, when I select properties (right click on drive in 'My Computer') the tabs shown have 'DirectCD 5.0 Options' whereas I would expect 'Recording'. Also, when I try to write click a file in 'My Computer' and select 'send to' to write it to the CD it says that the 'Drive is not accessible - Incorrect function'.

5150Guy · Answer

Curious, was everything working OK after you upgraded to Service Pack 3? I have seen a few incompatibility bugs with it.

Are you using Roxio Easy CD creator version 5.0 then? Maybe want to consider a newer version if so.

Also, once CD writing software breaks, it seems to really break and even reinstalls do not repair it, and requires extensive registry cleaning and driver reinstalls to make things work again. I've been thru similar situations, and there never seems to be an easy answer.

5150Guy

5150Guy · Answer

Hello,

Have you tried a shiney new CD/RW Disc? (you may have to format it) Not the ones you have been using. I have had CD/RW discs go bad, and I have some terrible data losses with them over time. Therefore I do not use them anymore.

5150Guy

Skybird · Answer

If I may add a little info .... Roxio Version 5 survived throughWindows XP SP2 but died with Windows XP SP3.  Per 5150Guy's suggestion,consider newer burning software.

Rod Stocker · Answer

I am 99.9 % certain that the problem started before I installed SP3. Whereas you may be correct in the 'antics' of Roxio Easy CD Creator v5 it does not expalin why I cannot 'send' files to CD or why I cannot do simple 'drag and drop'. I have done a Registry clean and I also disabled the CD drive and driver and rebooted the system to 'auto-detect' it in an attempt to resolve it.

Skybird · Answer

Check that the Windows built-in burning function is enabled.

In My Computer, right-click the drive and select Properties.
Select the Recording tab. Make sure the box is checked for
Enable CD recording on this drive.

Rod Stocker · Answer

Thanks Skybird however, as I said earlier, I do not have the 'Recording' tab (which is what I would expect). Instead I have a tab stating 'Direct CD 5.0 options'. ???????? This only gives me 3 optional boxes to select, none of which refer to the ability to write to CD.

Skybird · Answer

It appears that Windows is not recognizing a recordable drive.Review this Microsoft article for possible help ......... http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316529

Rod Stocker · Answer

Thanks Skybird. I checked out the article and followed the instructions to check out the Registry. The CD Drive was there and the value data was 2. Also present was my DVD Drive also with a value of 2. When I checked the properties of the CD there is still no 'Recording' tab (just the 'Direct CD 5.0'). I decided to delete the driver. I then did a Registry tidy (using a little utility). Of course, in 'My Computer' I could no longer see  the CD Drive. I then rebooted the system. The CD Drive reappeared in 'My Computer' as you would expect. However, the properties still show 'Direct CD 5.0' rather than the 'recording' tab. Strangely when I rechecked the Registry only one drive is now shown! I really don't want to wipe my HDD and rebuild Windows (as this takes several days) but am beginning to suspect that this might be the only solution.

Skybird · Answer

It is possible that Roxio Version 5 is causing problems.  Itis a very old (out dated) program and began to cause problemswith Windows XP and failed with SP3.

5150Guy · Answer

Hello, one last ditch effort...

Try uninstalling Roxio, do a registry clean, maybe even manually searching for all Roxio entries and deleting them. Delete the CD references you did before. Restart and see what the new CD references to. Download and install a newer version of Roxio Easy CD Creator. I had mauch trouble years ago with version 5.0 and the updates for it.

5150Guy

Rod Stocker · Answer

Thanks 5150Guy and Skybird. I decided to bite the bullet and rebuild the computer. I removed the 2nd HDD and left my primary HDD in place. I then installed XP SP2 (from a 'slipped' disk that I created last year) but left the existing partitions in place (as they contain some data that, although backed up on to the 2nd HDD I would prefer not to lose). I did not install any other s/w or h/w. When I installed a blank CD-RW (files erased on another computer) in the CD tray and tried to see what was on the drive it reported 'F:\ is not accesible'. I tried a second CD-RW but had the same result. I then took a 3rd CD-RW with some files on it already and tried  view the files; no problems. I then tried to 'drag and drop'. The system reported 'Files on this CD-ROM are read only. You cannot copy or move files'. I then tried to use 'My Computer' and use the 'send to' function. Guess what? The CD was not on the list!!!! I checked the Registry under CD burner (see above MS article) and found that the Drive type for both CD and DVD was set to 1. I therefore changed it to 2, closed the Registry and rebooted. Sadly I have the same 3 scenarios as presented above. Before repeating the re-installation of XP SP2 with a complete reformat of the drive I thought I would seek some views please. Rod

5150Guy · Answer

Defective/crippled hardware?   5150Guy

Storage, Drives & Media

Unable to write files to CD

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