Reading DVD Data Discs

[JohnK]

Can anyone help please - I have backed-up a large amount
of data to a dvd-rw which I need to read on a laptop
(both machines running XP- sp1). Both machines installed
with Sonic DLA and the copy process used was copy & Paste
in explorer). The disc was formatted first, again in
explorer, with I think the UDF format. Problem is the DVD
rom drives in either machines will not recognise the
disc, although when in the original external Sony drive I
can view contents fine.

The microsoft site gives some information and refers to
knowledge base artice number 818733. Does anyone have any
thoughts on this problem please?
Thanks - John.

 

[Ferris]

what do you mean....
"Problem is the DVD
rom drives in either machines will not recognise the
disc, although when in the original external Sony drive I
can view contents fine."...

 

[CS]

Can anyone help please - I have backed-up a large amount
of data to a dvd-rw which I need to read on a laptop
(both machines running XP- sp1). Both machines installed
with Sonic DLA and the copy process used was copy & Paste
in explorer). The disc was formatted first, again in
explorer, with I think the UDF format. Problem is the DVD
rom drives in either machines will not recognise the
disc, although when in the original external Sony drive I
can view contents fine.

The microsoft site gives some information and refers to
knowledge base artice number 818733. Does anyone have any
thoughts on this problem please?
Thanks - John.

Formatting the disks was not necessary. No need to use UDF to copy
data to DVDR or DVD+RW. Try copying the data again but do not use
DLA, instead use a program such as Nero or EasyDVD creator.

 

[Ferris]

if you want to use the disk as a re-writeable dvd /cd disk....you have to
format it first....use InCD by Nero....

 

[CS]

Ferris:

You're a bundle of laughs..... but you don't have to format a DVD or
CD disk in order to use it to rewrite. Both will work just fine
using either Nero or EasyDVD as straight copy or even using the
multi-session option. I do it all the time without problems and never
use InCD or DLA.

Also - update your virus definitions.

 

[Ferris]

If you notice..I stated"USE AS A RE-WRITEABLE" disk......the ability to add
(drag /drop) with data already on the disk is now available....
Please learn the nomenclature for a re-writeable disk.....it MUST be
formatted initially to a UDF format.....

 

[CS]

Ferris, you're really funny. Don't ever leave this forum, you're one
of the reasons I even bother reading all these posts. I know you
change your "handle" often to avoid being placed in someone's kill
filter. Don't worry, I would never kill file you... too many laughs.

Re - writeable, re - usable. Same, same. Still not necessary to UDF
the thing. Have fun and regards. Oh, don't forget to update your
virus definition file, wouldn't want to infect anyone now would we?

 

[Bob Harris]

You probably need a UDF reader. I recall that Adaptec once offerred one for
free. Of course, that part of Adaptec is now called Roxio, the people who
make Easy CD Creator.

But the problem with packet writing (aka UDF) is that not all UDF formats
are equal. So, a disk formatted to once specification may not be readable
in a PC with another flavor of UDF. The Adaptec/Roxio UDF rader probably
won't help with DLA.

In the future, avoid UDF and use Joliet, which is write-once format for CDs
and DVDs. But, for CD-RWs and DVD-RWs you can erase the media and start
over. This is not as convenient as drag-n-drop, but is is safer and more
readable in more PCs.

However, given your current problem, download a copy of ISOBUSTER and try
reading the DVD-RW with it. ISOBUSTER has several options, including a
windows-like read. That option may not work, but one of the other optionss
probably will. It can read UDF, at least some common flavors. If ISOBUSTER
shows files exist on the DVD-RW, you just highlight-copy them in ISOBUSTER,
as easily as in Windows Explorer. Then paste them in Windows Explorer to
somewhere on a hard drive, internal or external.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Can anyone help please - I have backed-up a large amount
of data to a dvd-rw which I need to read on a laptop
(both machines running XP- sp1). Both machines installed
with Sonic DLA and the copy process used was copy & Paste
in explorer). The disc was formatted first, again in
explorer, with I think the UDF format. Problem is the DVD
rom drives in either machines will not recognise the
disc, although when in the original external Sony drive I
can view contents fine.

To read a packet written disk on a DVD-Rom drive, rather than a burner,
you will probably need a reader program installed as well. Certainly if
using the 'Mount Rainier' or 'Easy Write' extensions which DLA will
probably have used if the writer supports them. Two possibilities:

Get the Easy Write Reader program from www.nero.com - go to the Support,
Utilities - Support Tools section for it. (I don't see an equivalent on
the Sonic site). Or use the DLA option to 'Make disk compatible'