Hi all,

I have recently decided to back up all of my photos onto DVD. I have two drives on my pc, D:\ - an Asus Lightscribe DVD-RW and E:\ - an LG (Super Multi) DVD-RW. Until recently I have only used both to read which is fine and they have no problem doing, I have only used the Asus Lightscribe to write cd's and laser print Lightscribe Cd's. I have not used the drives to write a DVD, and have now found there to be problems with both drives. If any one can help to sort out at least one drive that would be great.

The LG, when double clicked from 'My Computer' is opening a small window saying :

E:\ is not accessible
Incorrect Function

The window remains on 'My Computer' and doesn't open the drive, this is regardless of whether a CDr is in or a DVDr, however as said, it will read a data / music CD and a DVD absolutely fine.

The Asus Lightscribe has a slightly different problem, in that when double clicked from 'My Computer' it will open the window, it recognises and reads CD's and DVD's and will also write a CD-R and laser print a Lightscribe CD-R, however when I try dragging any file type across into the drives window whilst a DVD-R is in, the copying window is appearing (with the two files icons and the '% complete' bar) but I am also getting a window saying :

Windows encountered a problem when trying to copy
this folder. What do you want Windows to do ?
Retry Skip Cancel

The DVD-R that I am trying to write onto is one of the white Inkjet Printable PHILIPS DVD-R 16x. I have tried updating the drivers for both drives, neither found a new driver. I am not sure if either has ever written a dvd as I have not ever tried. The computer in brief is a custom build, AMD Athlon, running windows XP Home Ed, SP3.

If any one can help that would be great, as said, if only to get one of the drives working (I need to get 25gb of pictures off of the memory).

Thanks in advance, Wayne

For 25 gb you will need abut 6 single sided DVDs. Can you not afford to invest in a external hard drive? I don't use windows explorer to burn discs but I use nero. There is also roxio. I don't know what the free ones are though. Are you sure that you are using dvd-r and not dvd+r or dvd-ram disks? Other than that since there are 2 different drives I would say either there is a problem with the discs (can you try them in another computer or get a new set?), your install of windows, or your computer. However it could be a coincidence in both both being bad perhaps due to perhaps age or lack of use. For what the drives can do I would suspect that nothing is wrong with your computer. I would first suggest trying a trial of nero or investigate your disks. Try one at a time otherwise you won't know what is the problem.

Hi townsbg

I have Nero 8 on disk, it came with the Asus drive. I shall install this and see if I can write to the DVD's. With regards to the external drive, I have a 160gb attached which I have already copied the photos onto, however I wanted to make one more alternative copy before I remove them from the computer.

Originally Posted by townsbg

Are you sure that you are using dvd-r and not dvd+r or dvd-ram disks?

Ok, now I'll show my knowledge - or lack of, what is the difference ?? In my computer (Start -> My computer) both drives are showing as DVD-RAM Drive (D: ) and DVD-RAM Drive (E: ). Could this be the problem ? I am not sure if the DVD's are RAM disks or not, I purchased them from eBay and they are unmarked (appart from 'PHILIPS DVD-R 16x in the middle) and are in a clear envelopes.

A to the best of my knowledge dvd-r drives can only handle that type of disks which dvd+r is suppose to replace but I believe that dvd-ram drives are suppose to support all formats, at lease mine does. If you have the manual you should make sure that it supports that disk type. If you didn't get one then perhaps there is one online. Anyway my other recommendations stand.

Problem solved, I installed Nero and both drives burned fine on DVD-R.

When burning CD's I have always just dragged the files into the respective drive window then clicked 'Write these files to CD', would I be right in thinking that you can not do this with a DVD.

I have no idea because I've never used windows explorer for either. I'm glad to know that it works.