Problems backing up to disk

[Brandy]

I'm not sure if this is XP or the drives, but copying to disks seems MUCH
more difficult since switching to XP from 98 SE. I used to use: Save to -
file (a, e, or f), and was done with it. I can't figure out XP. I have a
DVD-RW drive and a CD-RW drive. I think I might be figuring out the CD-RW
drive, although everything takes MUCH LONGER in XP than it did in 98SE. Now
I have to highlight files to save to F (CD-RW drive), then a little baloon
pops up and I have to click on that, then click on "write these files to
disk," then it finally writes the file(s) to disk, so at least I can use it.
I can't use my DVD-RW drive at all to copy data (such as from Word Perfect
or other programs whose files I back up to disk). I either keep getting
messages telling me to insert disk when the disk is already in there, or
some sort of error message telling me I can't write to that drive (I've
tried with CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW disks). Am I missing something here?

The DVD drive is a Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R5002. The CD drive is a Sony CD-RW
CRX220E1

XP is a big adjustment and seems much more complicated than 98. I'm just
now getting the hang of navigating XP after a month and a half of having it.
I just wonder if I'm missing some trick here? It seems to me like programs
should be MORE user-friendly as they progress,
right?

Brandy
Say goodnight Gracie... Goodnight Gracie

 

[Sharon F]

I'm not sure if this is XP or the drives, but copying to disks seems MUCH
more difficult since switching to XP from 98 SE. I used to use: Save to -
file (a, e, or f), and was done with it. I can't figure out XP. I have a
DVD-RW drive and a CD-RW drive. I think I might be figuring out the CD-RW
drive, although everything takes MUCH LONGER in XP than it did in 98SE. Now
I have to highlight files to save to F (CD-RW drive), then a little baloon
pops up and I have to click on that, then click on "write these files to
disk," then it finally writes the file(s) to disk, so at least I can use it.
I can't use my DVD-RW drive at all to copy data (such as from Word Perfect
or other programs whose files I back up to disk). I either keep getting
messages telling me to insert disk when the disk is already in there, or
some sort of error message telling me I can't write to that drive (I've
tried with CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW disks). Am I missing something here?

The DVD drive is a Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R5002. The CD drive is a Sony CD-RW
CRX220E1

XP is a big adjustment and seems much more complicated than 98. I'm just
now getting the hang of navigating XP after a month and a half of having it.
I just wonder if I'm missing some trick here? It seems to me like programs
should be MORE user-friendly as they progress,
right?

Brandy
Say goodnight Gracie... Goodnight Gracie

That's about right for the builtin burning software. It's very basic and
only does mastering sessions. If you were used to dragging and dropping
files to CD on the fly, you can accomplish that by installing burning
software capable of packet writing (InCD from Ahead, Drag to Disc from
roxio, etc)

A quick and easy primer for XP CD writing can be found here:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm

 

[Brandy]

Thanks Sharon! That site is very informative and I've bookmarked it. So, I
now need to find packet-writing software that's compatible with both of my
drives... Is that correct? If so, do you have any recommendations? Thanks
again for your help!

 

[Larry Maietta]

Hello, just a small note, but Brandy, did you say that your DVD was a "The
DVD drive is a Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R5002". The ROM means read only memory.
One can not write to a DVD-ROM. I could be mistake. Also, usually , like
when I bought my DVD+RW, it came with a software, so I could write to it.
I hope I am not out of line here.
Larry.

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks Sharon! That site is very informative and I've bookmarked it. So, I
now need to find packet-writing software that's compatible with both of my
drives... Is that correct? If so, do you have any recommendations? Thanks
again for your help!

Brandy, you're welcome and am glad to hear that you found the article
useful.

I looked up the Toshiba DVDRW drive at the Toshiba site. The "kit" info
says it ships with the Pinnacle VOB software. From the sublist for that
software it looks like packet writing is included (Instant Disk, Instant
Write, etc). I'm not familiar with that software and was under the
impression it was focused more on recording movies. Anyhow, you may want to
search that program out on your hard drive (or in your start menu). Look it
over to see if it will do what you want.

Personally, I use the new Roxio software (version 6) for burning
DVD(+R/+RW) and CDR/CDRW. Had been using Nero/InCD quite happily but their
software didn't fully support the new DVD drive that I added to my setup in
spring so I had to switch. Both sites (Ahead - the vendors for Nero- and
Roxio) have a list of supported drives in the online support areas of their
websites.

 

[Sharon F]

Hello, just a small note, but Brandy, did you say that your DVD was a "The
DVD drive is a Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R5002". The ROM means read only memory.
One can not write to a DVD-ROM. I could be mistake. Also, usually , like
when I bought my DVD+RW, it came with a software, so I could write to it.
I hope I am not out of line here.
Larry.

Good catch Larry but she referred to it both ways in her post (DVD/RW
towards the beginning and DVD-ROM later). Easy mistake to make when writing
about these devices and typing gobs of abbreviations. But you got me
wondering so I went and looked up her model. Thank you for your careful
vigilance to details though. I appreciate it and it was an important point
that needed confirmation one way or the other.

 

[Brandy]

You're not out of line at all Larry. I did say that. That's the info I get
when I checked the drive type, but on looking at the front of the drive, it
says DVD ROM, RW, R. This is the driver that came with the computer, so
there was no accompanying software. I wonder if it's hidden somewhere on
the computer and I can't find it. There's nothing on the computer for
"Toshiba," so maybe I just haven't been looking in the right places?...

Brandy
Say goodnight Gracie... Goodnight Gracie

 

[Brandy]

Thanks so much Sharon. This is the drive that came with the computer and we
got no disks, so I'm thinking maybe I was just not looking in the right
place on my puter to find the Toshiba's software... Also, I'll be checking
out Roxio's site. Thanks again for your help!!

Brandy
Say goodnight Gracie... Goodnight Gracie