DVD drive error -- 'E:\ is not accessible.'

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 8400, Windows XP SP2, 1gb DDR2 SDRAM. I have an HL-DT-ST DVD+RW GRA 4120B DVD drive and a Sony CD-RW CRX216E. The only software I have used for these is MYDVD 5 and Record Now version 7. I have a lot of digital pictures. Most of them are backed up on CDs, but the last few times, I backed up to DVD. I ALWAYS check the discs when I'm done to make sure that the pictures are backed up okay. A lot of the pictures were still stored on my hard drive. Last week, my hard drive crashed. I am still under warranty. Dell came on Monday and installed new hard drive. I then re-installed OS and everything else. DVD drive is recognized, but I am having problems. When I put in one of my photo DVDs, I get an error message that says 'E:\ is not accessible. Incorrect function.' The CD drive will not read them either. CDs show up fine in both drives. I have done some searches and this seems to be a common problem with different fixes. I'm not sure how to go about fixing it. I seem to remember getting a similar message when I burned the DVD. I THINK I solved it by formatting the disc. I can't do that now -- I will lose my pictures. Should I download a new driver from Dell and see if that helps? Should I uninstall the software totally and use a different program? Will my DVDs be salvegable? Any help is gratefully appreciated! Janet

Predator · Answer

Hi Janet,When you reinstalled all your software, did you apply the updates/patches Dell has for the Sonic software on their Web site?You will find them from the Drivers & Downloads link on the left, once you enter information for your system they are under: ' Applications 'Best Regards! God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference. CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 02-16-2007 07:46 AM

jlsd · Answer

No, I haven't done that. Needless to say, I am leery of everything. I don't want another crash. I'll try that right now. Thanks for your response. Janet

jlsd · Answer

Just wanted to let you know that I downloaded the update and now I can open the DVDs!
Thanks so much. I was afraid I was going to lose all my pictures from my Bermuda trip and some others.

Is there another software program that you recommend for burning DVDs? Or should I keep using this one?

Thanks again!

Janet

rockyl84 · Answer

if you wish to write without fomatting the disc, then enable drive recording in the drive properties and enable DLA. you may try nero, it gives you an option for choosing drive speed.

jlsd · Answer

How do I enable drive recording? It doesn't really matter to me about formatting the disk. I did it last time to see if that would help with saving the photos. Is it really necessary (I'm sure sometimes it is).

Do you think Nero is better? Is it easy?

Thanks.

Janet

Predator · Answer

Hi Janet,Please do not use Sonic`s DLA unless you truly have to, it is a Packet Writing programs that the majority of our Regulars do not recommend. This programs requires formatting of the disc.As for enabling recording, click on the My Computer icon, right click on the DVD/RW drive, select properties, there should be a recording tab.Just a FYI, Windows XP built-in burning program does not support burning to DVD media.Roxio version 9 and Nero are both excellent programs. I am a Nero fan myself, as far as easy, the wizard is pretty easy to use but the program has a number of options, features that can sort of overwhelm you at first.Click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 8-4 for Nero`s links. (hopefully they are still working)Also, both Roxio V9 and Nero have a trail version, just be sure 'Not' to install either Packet Writing program. The mastering programs can co-exist together fine, but the Packet Writer clash, each tries to 'lock' the drive for use.Best Regards! God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference. CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 02-16-2007 01:56 PM

jlsd · Answer

Jeff -- Thanks for all your help and advice. It's funny -- Sonic DLA was what I downloaded from Dell to update what I had. I won't try to record anything with it.
I will pick up Nero in a day or two and get rid of the Sonic stuff. My son says it's junk.

Will Nero be able to read the DVDs I made with Sonic?

Janet

Predator · Answer

Hi Janet,I was adding some additional information to my previous post while you were replying. You may wish to give Roxio V9 a try. No, to my knowledge, Nero will not be able to read the discs, created bye Sonic`s DLA, let me rephrase this, you will not be able to work with the re-writeable media through Nero. However if my memory serves, I believe Jim said Roxio should be able to.I am sorry, I do not want to give you a real bad impression of Sonic`s DLA, it is just that Packet Writing is not as reliable as the mastering program. Due to it being re-writeable, the media can suddenly fail and your data is lost, that is why our Regulars do not trust it.Best Regards! God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference. CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 02-16-2007 02:14 PM

jlsd · Answer

Fortunately, I did not make a whole lot of DVDs. Last night, I put some pictures BACK on my computer and will save them a different way. I will do that with the other few DVDs also. By the way -- I used DVD+R discs, not re-writeable ones. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Several years ago, I had a problem with "CD-RW" discs and have stayed away from the "RW" ones since then.

I will look into both Roxio v9 and Nero and then decide.

Thanks again.

Janet

jlsd · Answer

One more question -- How do I make sure I don't install the 'packet writing' programs for either Nero or Roxio? Will the installation ask me? Janet

Predator · Answer

Hi Janet,The use of the DVD+R or CD-R, DVD-R media is your best bet, good call.I know Nero will give you the option but not sure about Roxio V9.Consider trying Nero first, then remove it before testing Roxio. Nero has some excellent tools, including a Clean Tool which removes the software cleanly.Take alittle time and read through some of the information on Nero as well as Roxio V9.Best Regards! God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference. CD/RW Link

Storage, Drives & Media

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