CD won't read or write

[Belprice]

Hi all

I have just replaced my old CD drive with a Benq 24 x 10 x 40 Seamless Link
(whatever that means!) and it doesn’t seem to be working. I have put various
disks in it and it recognizes some of them, but mostly I just get the
spinning disk icon and I get read or write to this disk. When I go to my
computer and view the cd properties it shows a full blue disk and zero free
and zero used space. Although when I click properties its says this device is
working properly.

I need to copy some larger files from this computer to my daughters computer
and as some of the files are very large I can’t use floppy disks , as they
are way to small to hold the files I need to copy. Hence my need to be able
to write and copy to the cd in question.

If anyone can help me with this problem, or suggest an alternative method
for copying these files from one computer to the other I would be very
grateful. Please note that I don’t have the equipment for a direct cable
transfer form computer to computer , so I need a solution which either fixes
my drive so that I can use it or a program which I can split the larger files
onto multiple floppy disks and copy them over.


Thanks a million in advance.

JC

 

[Jose]

Hi all

I have just replaced my old CD drive with a Benq 24 x 10 x 40 Seamless Link
(whatever that means!) and it doesn’t seem to be working. I have put various
disks in it and it recognizes some of them, but mostly I just get the
spinning disk icon and I get read or write to this disk. When I go to my
computer and view the cd properties it shows a full blue disk and zero free
and zero used space. Although when I click properties its says this device is
working properly.

I need to copy some larger files from this computer to my daughters computer
and as some of the files are very large I can’t use floppy disks , as they
are way to small to hold the files I need to copy. Hence my need to be able
to write and copy to the cd in question.

If anyone can help me with this problem, or suggest an alternative method
for copying these files from one computer to the other I would be very
grateful. Please note that I don’t have the equipment for a direct cable
transfer form computer to computer , so I need a solution which either fixes
my drive so that I can use it or a program which I can split the larger files
onto multiple floppy disks and copy them over.

Thanks a million in advance.

JC

Generally, once you write to a CD (or burn a CD), you will never write
to it again. Even if you write a small file, that CD is good only for
reading that single file - forever.

If you look at a CD that has something on it in Explorer or My
Computer, it will show up all blue because as far as Windows is
concerned it is full even if you only burned a small file and it is
not really "full" to capacity.

They make optical media that can be written to more than once and
stuff can be deleted if your CD drive and software allows such
things. Some people do not recommend this practice. It was more
popular, but not any more so much.

If you have files that you want to move back and forth between
computers, get a USB memory device. They will hold gigabytes of
memory, way more than a CD. Think of the USB device as a giant floppy
disk - and I mean giant. They are also very affordable, but be sure
to get a reputable brand which may not be the cheapest.

Windows tolerates them very well. This is the popular way to move or
carry lots of data around with you (like in your pocket).

If you are on a home network (like a wireless network), there are ways
to connect two computers. This is a little more complicated, and you
might need that someday for some things but overkill for just moving
files. With a USB device, you can take your files almost anywhere and
use them.

A CD is more "permanent" so that might be good for writing some things
that might accidentally get erased from a USB device or to store stuff
safely away.

For what you describe, think about a USB storage device... Easy,
cheap, generally very reliable.

Jose

 

[JS]

First Identify the exact Model of CD/DVD burner you purchased.
Next go the manufacture's web site and see if:
1) Windows XP drivers available.
2) Media update - this usually when applied to the burner allows
gives it better compatibility with a wider variety of media.

Your model number should be on the box it came in.
Don't have the box anymore or if OEM model then
use Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It will identify the Benq model, write it down and then visit Benq's
web site.

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

In the meantime, a flash/pen drive is quicker and easier. )

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[JS]

Your right on, a 4GB or 8GB drive makes the
need to burn a DVD just to move files between
computers a thing of the past.

And they now have 32GB USB drives if you
feel like spending that much.