Changed software. Some disks won't read

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@laerley wrote:

My Dell 4300S (purchased a few years back) came with Roxio CD Creator 5.1 installed.  Recently, I wasn’t able to complete a “disk copy” (at least, the disk appeared to be blank).  It would go through the motions (showing progress bar, etc), but the “completed copy” would be blank.  I dug out the Roxio disk and tried reinstall the program, only to be told that the program was not compatible with the version of windows I had.  That’s especially confusing because the computer came with XP.  The only thing I have done is updated service packs, etc 

 

Since I was in a hurry (and, not very computer literate ;-) when I came across a copy of Sonic Record Now, I decided to try it.  While loading the program, a message stating a non-compatible program (Roxio) was detected and would have to be removed, before Sonic could be installed (which I allowed). 

 

Well, now, things seem to be working fine, with ONE exception: most of the disks I had written files to (using Roxio) are now seen as blank??  I’ve got some important data, and video clips on some of these disks.  Can anyone help?    

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Open up Sonic RecordNow and put in one of the discs.

Click on the Home icon and select "Get Drive and Disc Information".

What does it have to say about your disc?

Open Windows Explorer and look at the Properties for the same disc. What does it report?

Well, Sonic says "no disk."  Jim, now don't give up on me when I say, "I'm not exactly sure how to windows explorer."  I did go to my computer, selected "D" drive, then selected properties.  It shows "used bytes 0", "free bytes 0"??

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@laerley wrote:
Well, Sonic says "no disk."  Jim, now don't give up on me when I say, "I'm not exactly sure how to windows explorer."  I did go to my computer, selected "D" drive, then selected properties.  It shows "used bytes 0", "free bytes 0"??

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You did good!

But I was after File System, and should have said so… The key words there would be either UDF or CDFS. It would give me some insight into how the disc was written.

Assuming the media has not failed there are some common reasons why they might appear blank.

CDFS – If you used the program EasyCD Creator and wrote using Sessions, the last session would appear unless you told it to import previous sessions. (probably not the case here).

UDF – You used DirectCD (formatted the disc). It would read as is or with Sonic's DLA installed unless you chose Compression when you formatted. The compression scheme is software brand specific and one brand cannot read another's scheme.

I suspect this is what is going on with your discs. You can try another route by using a trial version of CD Roller, Here, to see if it would be able to recover your files. Again if compression was used, it won't be able to.

If that is the case there is a way to install Roxio's V5 but not if we don't have to.

OK,

I downloaded software and stuck in one of the disks.  It immediately saw something and gave me a name, type, file system (udf 1.5), size 109 MB.  Next, I tried whatever the first recommendation was (I think it was "recover all")?  It started doing it's thing and file names started poping up.  Eventually, it asked where I wanted to save/transfer/whatever the files.  When I selected a destination, it told me the unregistered version can only tell me whether the files are readable, but it can't save to the destination folder.  I proceded with the next step (which I don't remember, duh ;-).  It started making up a long list of files (?) that said they were 100 percent transfered.  I thought maybe I got lucky and it transfered afterall.  So, I went to the folder I wanted to transfer to.  All I saw was this same list of 100 percent transfer.

 

So, what does this tell you, Jim?  Would you recommend purchasing a registered version?  Do you think the other disks are the same as this one?  What about purchasing a newer verion of Roxio, would it read the disks.  Got the feeling this all has something to do with the fact that I keep adding new files to the same, old readable disks (right)? 

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@laerley wrote:

OK,

I downloaded software and stuck in one of the disks.  It immediately saw something and gave me a name, type, file system (udf 1.5), size 109 MB.  Next, I tried whatever the first recommendation was (I think it was "recover all")?  It started doing it's thing and file names started poping up.  Eventually, it asked where I wanted to save/transfer/whatever the files.  When I selected a destination, it told me the unregistered version can only tell me whether the files are readable, but it can't save to the destination folder.  I proceded with the next step (which I don't remember, duh ;-).  It started making up a long list of files (?) that said they were 100 percent transfered.  I thought maybe I got lucky and it transfered afterall.  So, I went to the folder I wanted to transfer to.  All I saw was this same list of 100 percent transfer.

 

So, what does this tell you, Jim?  Would you recommend purchasing a registered version?  Do you think the other disks are the same as this one?  What about purchasing a newer verion of Roxio, would it read the disks.  Got the feeling this all has something to do with the fact that I keep adding new files to the same, old readable disks (right)? 

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The newer versions of Roxio 'should' work but I cannot spend your hard earned money for you…

The V7.5 is close to $100 less discounts but while I have not had trouble with older discs I can't guarantee that you won't!

I don't know what CD Roller costs (never used it) but it is a one purpose software that you will probably never need again.

The other Free alternative is this. Before you start make sure you have the disc to reinstall Sonic.

Then download the BASIC update (5.3.5.10). Start Here, it is near the bottom of the page. When you pick your language it will ask you to log on or enter an email address. ( a bogus email address will work)

Write down the location and name of the file.

(I am assuming you have BASIC. If you didn't buy it, it is BASIC!)

Uninstall all Sonic apps and reboot.

Install your V5.1 Basic do not reboot! I would use the Custom install and only install Creator and DirectCD.

Run the update you downloaded, then reboot. You should now be able to copy your data off of these discs. Your burner may not be recognized but that should not be a problem.

At this point you would need to uninstall V5 and reinstall Sonic.

If you are tempted to retain V5 let me caution you. It has been out of production for several years and will never be updated again. Most users found XP SP2 broke it but some report success. Of course the next update may kill it altogether and Roxio is not supporting it any longer. Considering it was "free" you got your moneys worth.

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@laerley wrote:

I've admitted, I'm NO guru, but I'm begining to feel like an idiot!  I went to the Roxio site (using the link you provided).  I selected the basic update (near bottom of page). made up a bogus email and selected the lanquage (as advised).  The next page offers two options (i.e., upgrade or download patch for my software).  When I select the patch, I'm taken to another page asking which version (e.g., cd blah blah 7.x, 6.x, 5.x, etc).  When I make my selection (5.x), it takes me back to the original page (the same one your link took me to).  I've gone round and round for or 5 times, sure enough, results are always the same ;-)

They are only asking $29.95 for CD roller, which I would gladly pay to recover the lost/hidden/whatever data.  What whould bother me is if I paid the money and still couldnt recover (if that's the correct term) the files.  It seems like the program ought to work.  After all, it see the files, names, and file size (but, what do I know ;-)?.  I've also noted I can get Roxio v 6 and/or 7 pretty darn cheap on ebay.  I'd be willing to purchase them, and try to kill two birds with one stone (recovery and upgrade) if I thought it would work.  Whatcha think?

 

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I have heard of the RoxiLoop! I tried it but got through as I outlined. Probably some cookie I have since I normally live there – got the Tee Shirt!

Some suggest turning off popup blocking, don't have any so I can't test that.

If it were my decision, I would go for the V7…

I've admitted, I'm NO guru, but I'm begining to feel like an idiot!  I went to the Roxio site (using the link you provided).  I selected the basic update (near bottom of page). made up a bogus email and selected the lanquage (as advised).  The next page offers two options (i.e., upgrade or download patch for my software).  When I select the patch, I'm taken to another page asking which version (e.g., cd blah blah 7.x, 6.x, 5.x, etc).  When I make my selection (5.x), it takes me back to the original page (the same one your link took me to).  I've gone round and round for or 5 times, sure enough, results are always the same ;-)

They are only asking $29.95 for CD roller, which I would gladly pay to recover the lost/hidden/whatever data.  What whould bother me is if I paid the money and still couldnt recover (if that's the correct term) the files.  It seems like the program ought to work.  After all, it see the files, names, and file size (but, what do I know ;-)?.  I've also noted I can get Roxio v 6 and/or 7 pretty darn cheap on ebay.  I'd be willing to purchase them, and try to kill two birds with one stone (recovery and upgrade) if I thought it would work.  Whatcha think?

 

I have the same problem reading disks created with DirectCD5 using xp/Sonic.  Luckily I have an older 98se system which still has DirectCD5 all I have to do is

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@the79bomb wrote:

I don't know if the fact that the disk was created with a different burner makes a difference but problems like this are quite sad and reflects the selfish nature of the computer industry. If it were not for the user forum Dell would probably be bankrupt. I certainly would not by typing on one now.

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Hopefully you realize the irony of these statements. Dell does not manufacture optical drives or write and publish operating systems or CD/DVD burning applications (or hardly any other kind of software for that matter). There are hardly any PC companies that do any of these things 'in house.' Though I'm sure it does nothing to ease your frustration, the fact is this kind of issue can and does happen with every brand of computer you're familiar with. Take it from someone who knows due to having worked on them.

Yes. I was refering to the several hardware problems I have run into which were only resolved on the Forum. Were I not able to resolve these issues I would not have bought another Dell. I am fully aware that a large majority of the problems are due to hardware issues and mostly firmware/driver updates which are not necessarily Dell's responsibility. However Dell gets the rap when the computer does not work so in selling component systems Dell does need to make sure that the components are compatable and that working drivers exist. I have spent probably more than ten hours searching for and installing device drivers on my 2 dells. The video driver that shipped with my first Dell did not support Open GL at all and I had to search for some time to find a "tweaked driver" that would enable this feature on a "gaming system". Had I known this before buying I might have chosen a different video card. There are many ways that Dell can prevent hardware issues beyond the forum ie. the dell alerts could be used to notify of driver updates etc but it is not. That is why I made that statment. I am not blaming dell for the hardware but for the lack of support for it. the forum could also be cataloged and common problems could be indexed and users likly to have this problem could be notified of the problem via dell alerts etc. etc.