i have several important files on a cdrw - unfortunately the master files have been lost. i was able to access these ok until a couple of days ago -now i get "E:\ is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable."
The cdrws are formatted with ahead nero INCD and O.S. is Me
Anyone got any ideas?

1. Are the drive’s parameters correctly set in the BIOS Setup?
If the parameters were manually set by you or Statically detected and configured by the BIOS and you then changed the jumpers or connections, the parameters would no longer match the drive. The BIOS might then be configured to read a different type of disk, be unable to read it and present a “suitable” warning [which is actually not suitable, but it’s not able to know that].

2. If you set all the drives to “auto” they will be “Dynamically Auto-Detected” and configured at each and every startup and the detection displayed on screen so you can see all is well.

3. Did you run Windows Setup recently?
This can overwrite Windows files updated by Nero and put them back to the original Windows versions. To fix this you uninstall and re-install Nero.

As you've probably deduced, I think there is probably nothing wrong with the CD-RW disk.

I have a simular problem, I made a back up of some files before I install a new os (xp)I used roxios ez cd creator platinum edition. Formatted the cd then dragged and dropped the files to it in explorer.
After I installed xp, I tried to retrieve the files but the cd doesn't do anything. Once I put it in the drive, it just spins, the red lcd blinks and I can't do anything with my computer. To make matters worse, I can't eject the cd either, except manually, basically I have to turn the machine off and stick a straightened paperclip into the little eject hole in the drive.
This really p.o.'s me because I would reallylike to access those files. Any suggestions?

SOME POINTS
1. To drag & drop files in Explorer you need packet writing software [Roxio’s EZ-CD Creator Platinum Edition is not such software] and you ideally should be using CD-RW disks that should have been formatted [using the packet writing software] whilst still new and unwritten to. If you had the packet writing software installed when they were written and don’t have it installed now, that would be one cause [there may be others also] why you cannot read them or re-write to these particular disks.
2. Have you checked that Windows XP supports all your hardware [and software], in particular your CD-RW drive?
How to Prepare to Upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324770
The Latest Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List [and software]
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314062
Search Here
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdq/hcl/search.asp

Remember the chain of control from the Application Software to the Operating System to the drivers to the BIOS to the Hardware. Each link must work with the others on each side of it.
a. Is the original Application installed, working ok and able to work with the O/S?
b. Is the Operating System working ok?
c. Are the drivers capable of working with the O/S and the hardware [via the BIOS]?
d. Are the BIOS’s hardware configuration settings appropriate? [e.g. Are the drives set to “Auto” (detect)?]
e. Is the hardware [CD-Drive] properly connected and jumpered?

You should probably open a new thread of your own because these two will probably hinder not help each other.

Ok,Slyvander,Thanks for the info. I guess I will open a new thread.

thanks sylvander -will try to reinstall nero