on my picture folder. the pictures tasks-copy all items to c.d-has disappeared. how do i retrieve it? i have press the down arrow at the side but it is not there. my computer is windows xp.
Thank-yoy oldboy1

Welcome to D-A-L.

Run a file check on the O/S.

METHOD 1
If you have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /purgecache

(This ensures that system files are copied from your Windows installation media, and files which may be infected/damaged with malware, or are corrupted, are not copied from your drive. Some of the files which are restored/replaced may need MS Updates applied. If sfc replaces any such files, you will have to reinstall updates for those files. (If you have Automatic Updates active, this will happen automatically.))

Then type in:

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD handy.

METHOD 2
If you do not have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /scannow

Post back with your results.

Format your Windows XP.

Formatting deletes/removes *everything* on the drive.

I wonder if this could be caused by a registry problem causing XP to think the burner is not a writable device?

See this MS article for directions to correct: CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device