Undeletable Files

[Connie]

I have files on my CD drive I am unable to delete. I get
a message that "Files on CD are read-only and cannot be
deleted." The message says they "can be copied to a
writeable CD which will replace files already on the
CD." However, when I try to write them I get a message
that the file cannot be written. I had this problem once
before and I created a new folder and moved the files
and then deleted them from the CD drive as well as the new
folder but it's not working this time. I have also tried
moving, copying and cutting and pasting. I can move the
files to a new folder and delete them from the new folder
with no problem ( I get no read-only cannot be deleted
message) but they remain on my CD drive. I have also
followed the directions for deleting temporary files on
the CD drive through My Computer. Using these
instructions it says I will see FILES READY TO BE WRITTEN
TO CD but instead mine says FILES CURRENTLY ON CD. Then
it says under CD Writing Tasks I will see these files
under DELETE TEMPORARY FILES but I do not see this. I
also found the following: http://www.kellys-korner-
xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm Line 39 Right column "Delete
undeletable file" but the instructions are too
confusing. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance.

 

[Lem]

You need to understand what a "CD" is. Originally, these things were
called "CD-ROM"s which stands for "compact disk - read only memory. In
other words, they were designed to be read only -- not able to be
erased, and not able to be written to by the user. Think of it like an
old vinyl record (if you can remember that far back). They could be
"written" or created by manufacturers, but not by end users.

Eventually, however, devices that would permit end users -- such as you
-- to create their own CDs became inexpensively available. Still, once
information (data) is "written" to a CD, it can't be removed (except for
CD-RW disks -- CD -Read/Write -- but that's another story). That's the
nature of the device. If the CD is still "writeable" you can create a
new directory on the CD that omits the names of certain already-written
files. That's what happens when you "delete" files on a writeable CD.
When you list the files, it appears as if the "deleted" files are gone.

Finally, CD writing software has a feature that "closes" the CD to
further writing. This may be called "make this CD readable by other
drives" or something similar. Once you "close" or "finalize" the CD,
you can no longer change the directory, so you can no longer even appear
to "delete" files.

For even more long-winded information, see
http://peripherals.about.com/library/ref/blwritecdfaq.htm
http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq01.html (which is a small part of
http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq.html)

 

[Constance Brantley]

Thanks for all the great info Lem. I do write to CDRs all the time and I am
familiar with closing CDs. However, these info has never been written to a
CD. When I try to do that I get a message saying it cannot be completed.
Since these are read only files would it make a difference if I used
CD-RW's?
Thanks!
Connie

 

[Lem]

I don't understand. How are the "files on my CD drive" if they have "never
been written to a
CD"?

It seems as if you are trying to delete files that you think have been
collected (and copied to a temporary folder) in preparation for writing to a
CD, but these files seem to have already been written to the CD. Have you look
at the CD using Windows Explorer? Are the files on the CD or not?

 

[Constance Brantley]

Lem, I have looked through Windows Explorer. The files appear on any blank
CD I insert. They have been copied in preparation for writing but they have
not been written. I get the same message "Files Currently On CD" no matter
how many blanks I insert. Does that make sense?
Connie

 

[Constance Brantley]

I have Nero InCD but I never use it. I use WMP player. However, I've use it
often and I know what happens when you burn a CD. That never happened. The
files were copied not burned. I can insert the CDs that show these files on
any other PC and they do not appear on any of the CDs in Windows Explorer.
I primarily use CDRs although I have used CD-RWs. If I purchased CD-RWs
would that allow me to write the files and then delete them? The problem is
I CANNOT write or delete them. Thanks!

Connie

Thanks for all the great info Lem. I do write to CDRs all the time and I am
familiar with closing CDs. However, these info has never been written to a
CD. When I try to do that I get a message saying it cannot be completed.
Since these are read only files would it make a difference if I used
CD-RW's?

If you use the inbuilt burning, you are writing 'sessions', as in a
package like Nero or Easy CD. These are aimed at CD-R and the sessions
can only be deleted as a whole set on a CD-RW, by erasing it entirely.
The files cannot be updated, and are inherently read only, so are marked
as such

For a true drag/drop, with ability to update files, (other than by
writing later copies to take precedence) you need third party 'packet
writing' packages like InCD from nero, or Direct CD (now Drag to Disk)
from roxio

 

[Lem]

Sorry, Connie, this has gone beyond my level of expertise. Perhaps Alex or one
of the other MS MVPs will be able to help.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have Nero InCD but I never use it. I use WMP player. However, I've useit
often and I know what happens when you burn a CD. That never happened. The
files were copied not burned.

The inbuilt burning does not burn to CD immediately - except perhaps in
burning a playlist in WMP9, which I have not done for a long time. What
is done with data files is that they are stashed up in a folder on hard
disk, and only get burned when you go to My Computer, and either right
click the drive or open it and take the Write files to CD option

 

[Constance Brantley]

The files are not written Alex. If I put any of the CDs showing these files
on any other PC they do not appear on that drive. I only see them when I
open Windows Explorer on my PC with a CD inserted. No matter how many blank
CDs I insert on my PC, the same files appear on that drive. I tried going to
My Computer and deleting the temporary files but they don't appear there. In
fact, that was the first thing I tried because it would have been the
easiest. I really don't know what to do. I think I'm going to buy some
CD-RWs and see if I can burn them and that will get rid of them. ARRRRGHH!
<G>

I have Nero InCD but I never use it. I use WMP player. However, I've use it
often and I know what happens when you burn a CD. That never happened. The
files were copied not burned.

The inbuilt burning does not burn to CD immediately - except perhaps in
burning a playlist in WMP9, which I have not done for a long time. What
is done with data files is that they are stashed up in a folder on hard
disk, and only get burned when you go to My Computer, and either right
click the drive or open it and take the Write files to CD option

 

[Constance Brantley]

Alex, when I insert a blank CDR into my CD drive it shows "Files Currently
On CD." I've put at least half a dozen blank CDRs in. Also, these files do
not appear when I insert them into another PC. When I try to burn the CD, it
does not recognize there is a CD in the drive and prompts to insert one. I
don't have any CD-RWs. I know you are supposed to use CDRs for music files
and CD-RWs for data but I thought I had used CDRs for data before. Could
that be the problem?

I have Nero InCD but I never use it. I use WMP player. However, I've use it
often and I know what happens when you burn a CD. That never happened. The
files were copied not burned.

The inbuilt burning does not burn to CD immediately - except perhaps in
burning a playlist in WMP9, which I have not done for a long time. What
is done with data files is that they are stashed up in a folder on hard
disk, and only get burned when you go to My Computer, and either right
click the drive or open it and take the Write files to CD option

 

[Constance Brantley]

Btw, I tried going to My Computer and deleting the temporary files but they
don't appear there. In
fact, that was the first thing I tried because it would have been the
easiest. That's what I get for thinking <G>.
Connie

I have Nero InCD but I never use it. I use WMP player. However, I've use it
often and I know what happens when you burn a CD. That never happened. The
files were copied not burned.

The inbuilt burning does not burn to CD immediately - except perhaps in
burning a playlist in WMP9, which I have not done for a long time. What
is done with data files is that they are stashed up in a folder on hard
disk, and only get burned when you go to My Computer, and either right
click the drive or open it and take the Write files to CD option