My Os is WinXP Home. When I bought my PC it came with a CD burner. The software that came with it is RecordNow. I have a problem with it which I fixed before but now it came back. I don't remember how I fixed it before. Here's the problem: First of all, it works fine if I open the program and want to copy a CD or copy some files to a CD. But, I can't use it as you would a floppy disk and do a copy/paste, delete files or copy files to it. When I try to do that I get a message that says, "Cannot delete "name of file". Files on this CD are read only. You can still copy new files to this writable CD." Well--the CD is a CD-RW not a CD-R. And if I do try to copy files to it, I get pretty much the same message. As I mentioned, it was working fine. I could do a copy/paste or whatever I wanted. But, now it's back to it's old habits. I should mention that I had to restore my system back to it's original factor settings last week. It was OK before that.

is the CDRW formatted for packet writing ?

Since the CD worked "like a floppy" before it should be formatted correctly but have you installed the packet-writing software that runs alongside RecordNow: viz Veritas DLA (Drive Letter Access). Without this installed you wont be able to use the CDRW in that manner.

http://www.stompinc.com/recordnowmax/rnmx-retail.phtml?stp
"Write to CDRW discs like floppy disks
With Veritas DLA, you can format, drag-n-drop or delete files from your CDRW discs just as you would a hard drive or floppy disk."

If its like Nero and its packet-writing equivalent called InCD then both are separate installations.

Apart from the basic functions, in my record now, if i want to do anything i have to connect to the internet to it seems unlock that feature, could this be it?

Originally posted by Paul Komski
but have you installed the packet-writing software that runs alongside RecordNow: viz Veritas DLA (Drive Letter Access). Without this installed you wont be able to use the CDRW in that manner.

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I think it is installed, because if I right click on the drive icon and click Properties, it shows that DLA is enabled. I finally found the information that allowed me to fix it before, but this time it didn't work. The information said to go into Device Manager and double click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers. If in the Current Transfer Mode it says PIO only, change it to DMA if available. If I remember correctly, the other time I had the problem, it was set for PIO. I changed it, and it corrected the problem. This time it was already set for DMA. I even change it to PIO to see if that would make a difference, but it didn't. So, I changed it back to DMA. I even uninstlled RecordNow and then re-installed. I then chose the option to Repair RecordNow. Still it doesn't work. I'm quite sure that all the software is installed, I could be wrong of course. It must be in some setting that is messed up. It's not that big of a problem for me because I don't use it that way very often--but I'd still like to have it working.

Have you considered trying to format a new CDRW (to take the current CDRW out of the equation) or of deleting/reformatting the current CDRW?

If it won't format a new CDRW perhaps the drive itself is faulty in some way.

"I think it is installed"
OK, but it MUST also be running:
1. When you put the CD-RW disk in the drawer and close it.
2. When you open the drawer [to remove the CD-rw disk].
[3. And naturally it must be running when you try to write to the disk.]

You should look to see that the icon of the packet writing software is showing in the system tray during operations 1 & 2 [and 3] above.
I assume that during 1, the software sets up the disk for use and during 2 the software "finalises" the disk in some way [to record all changes perhaps].

e.g.
Let's say that you had a [packet written=PW] disk in the drive and the [packet writing=PW] software running:
But you did something that closed the PW program [you restarted in "msconfig" "Diagnostic Mode" perhaps (I've done this many times)].
And then you needed to remove the PW CD-RW disk [perhaps to put an installation disk in its place].
VERY IMPORTANT
You would need to make certain that the PW prog was NOT RUNNING when you put THAT particular PW CD-RW disk back in and closed the drawer [I hope the reason is obvious].
Since the disk was removed when the PW prog was not running, it has NOT been finalised, so it should be put back in with no PW prog running.
The PW prog should then be set running and only then should the disk be removed.

I don't know the above to be fact.
I've just reasoned that it is likely to be so and I for one am taking no chances.
I've NEVER had any trouble with any of my CD operations. :D :cool:

p.s.
PIO versus DMA should make no diffrerence to this problem.
PIO uses the processor to control the flow of data between drives.
DMA frees up the processor. It no longer sits between the drives passing data from one to t'other. The data goes directly from drive to drive. Very desirable!

You need to start "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service" under your OS and select an Automatic startup type. You can do this like that:
right click on My Computer -> select Manage -> select Services and Applications -> Services -> locate IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service -> double click on it -> make changes -> reboot computer.
Don't forget to format your CDs before using them or if CD-RW isn't writable perform full delete of it.

Originally posted by Independent
You need to start "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service" under your OS and select an Automatic startup type.
I did that yesterday but it still doesn't work. I tried to format the CD and it seemed like it was formatting--that is I could see the progress bar start to fill up. But, then it seemed to get stuck. I waited over 1 hour and finally stopped it. I then checked to see what was on the disk but got a message that said the disk was not accessible and probable corrupt. When I went to shut my computer down, I got a message that said, "The operation you have requested is not available because your primary recording device is being used by DLA. Close any files or windows displaying and wait 30 seconds. If problem persists, eject your disk and try again." Then there was an "OK" button. Well--there was no disk in the drive at that time and there were no other windows open. So, I clicked OK and after a few minutes, it shut down. The last few days I've been getting that same message. Also, when I have a disk in the drive, I don't see any icon in the system tray. So, it's got me completely confused.

I have been watching this a little closer and I just noticed something. In my post above, I said that sometimes when I shut it down I get a message that says, "The operation you have requested----". Here's what I noticed: First of all, I don't get the message when I go to shut my system down, it's only when I try to put it in Hibernation mode. And, it's only after I tried and failed to copy or paste some files to my CD.
Maybe this will help someone put their finger on the problem.

1. "When I bought my PC it came with a CD burner"
A CD-RW? That is a "re-writer" rather than a "recorder".

2. "The software that came with it is RecordNow"
This is NOT the packet writing software, so this does not make it useable "like a giant floppy". A CD-RW disk MUST BE FORMATTED FOR USE WITH THE PACKET WRITING SOFTWARE to make it useable like a giant floppy.

3. "works fine if I open the program [RecodNow?] and want to copy a CD or copy some files to a CD."
That would mean [if you are using RecodNow to do this that] this disk is NOT formatted for use with the packet writing [PW] software.

4. "But, I can't use it as you would a floppy disk"
As 3 above, this shows the disk is NOT formatted for use with PW software.


5. "When I try to do that I get a message that says, "Cannot delete "name of file""
Naturally not, if the disk is not formatted for use with PW software.

6. "And if I do try to copy files to it, I get pretty much the same message."
Same again.

7. "As I mentioned, it was working fine"
But not with typical Windows Explorer functions like "Drag 'n drop" or "Copy & paste" or "Delete" I bet.

8. "DLA is enabled"
Ah, but is it RUNNING? It doesn't show as an icon in your System Tray. Try "Ctrl+Alt+Del" to see if is in the list of running processes.
Perhaps it is not in your "Startup" list? Look in "Start->Run->msconfig->Startup Tab->List" to see if it is listed.


9. "(You need to start "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service" under your OS and select an Automatic startup type.) I did that yesterday"
If you have 2 PW progs running perhaps they are conflicting. Use only one.

10. "I tried to format the CD and it seemed like it was formatting--that is I could see the progress bar start to fill up. But, then it seemed to get stuck."
You can only format a NEW [unused or BLANK] or ERASED CD for use with PW software. Do you have a CD ERASER program?

11. "got a message that said the disk was not accessible and probable corrupt"
Well, you did try to format a disk that was not blank!

12. "When I went to shut my computer down, I got a message that said, "The operation you have requested is not available because your primary recording device is being used by DLA"
DLA had probably marked the CD-drive as "in use" but had encountered problems [unable to format a disk that was not BLANK], froze and had not freed up the device.

13. "there was no disk in the drive at that time and there were no other windows open"
If you had tried "Ctrl+Alt+Del" you may well have discovered that "DLA" was "Not Responding".


14. "when I have a disk in the drive, I don't see any icon in the system tray"
Putting a disk in the tray does not start the program running. It needs to have been started running either automatically because it is on the startup list or manually, BEFORE the CD is put in the tray and the tray closed.
So you need to find where the programs' ".exe" file is located and "Open" it. You should have or put a shortcut to it on the start menu.
You also need to have it added to the "Startup" list [if it isn't already on it, and depending upon whether you have decided to use this or the built-in Windows PW software].

Originally posted by Sylvander
1. "[color=blue]

.



You can only format a NEW [unused or BLANK] or ERASED CD for use with PW software.

You were absolutely correct on that. I was trying to format a disk with data on it. After reading what you posted, I put in a new CD-R and it formated in just a few seconds. I then copied some files to it and it worked fine. The strange part of all this is the fact that before I restored my computer back to it's factory settings, I did a copy paste on a CD-R. And if my memory serves me correctly, I have never formated. Having said that, I've got to say that it's possible I could be mistaken. Maybe I did format and just don't remember. I've been known to be wrong before. If you don't believe me on that, just ask my wife. :) Anyway, thanks, Sylvander and to everyone else for their help.

If the new CDRW formatted that quickly then your setup must support Mount Rainier packet writing. Ordinary packet writing takes about 20-30 minutues but you can start using Mount Rainier formatting almost straight away. It doeesnt fully format the whole disk in one go but continues to do things in the background (or on the fly). As with most burning software CDs don't like to be interupted while they are working so if you are using such disks always let them do things at their own pace; these CDs will not usually want to be ejected as quickly as normal for example.

Some makes of CDRW media seem much more prone to corruption than others. I, for example, have had no problems with Imation or Maxwell disks but huge problems with ones made by Dysan and which just couldnt ever be erased once problems started on them. All the others have been erasable and reusable thereafter for either packet-writing or pre-mastering burns.

Originally posted by Paul Komski
If the new CDRW formatted that quickly then your setup must support Mount Rainier packet writing. Ordinary packet writing takes about 20-30 minutes but you can start using Mount Rainier formatting almost straight away.
Yes--the one I formated in just a few seconds was a CD-R. Then last night I formatted a CE-RW and that one took quite awhile. I didn't time it but it probably was 20-30 minutes. Have you ever seen where a CD-WR takes longer than a CD-R? I'm going to do another one to see if maybe I was just day-dreaming.

Hewlett Packard integrated various items of software which were accessible from an initial window which gave various useful explanations to help choose a suitable program.

Here's what I see displayed EVERY TIME I select the "DirectCD" PW program.

"1. Make a data CD the easiest way:
By dragging and dropping files in Explorer, or by choosing "File->Save" in any application. Choose this for example, when you want to free up space on your hard drive or to transport work between home and office.
This type of CD is not compatible with all CD-ROM drives, so try it out in the drive you want to read it in to see if it will be compatible.

2. There are two types of blank CD's:
CD-R & CD-RW. The recommended type of CD for this application is CD-RW.

3. Welcome to the Adaptec Direct CD Wizard.
Direct CD allows you to read & write directly to your CD-R & CD-RW disc.
This wizard will configure your disc by:
a. Checking the status of a CD in your drive.
b. Preparing the CD-R/CD-RW disc so you can read & write it.
c. Managing the final data when ejecting a DirectCD disc.

Once the CD-R/CD-RW disc is configured for DirectCD, you will be able to read from & write to the disc in much the same way you would a floppy diskette. This includes access from Windows Explorer or any other Windows application such as Microsoft Word."

Here are some notes copied from the “DirectCD” help files:

“Before you can write data to your CD, you must first format it. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start DirectCD, as described in Starting DirectCD.
The Adaptec DirectCD Wizard Welcome screen appears.

2. Click Next. The Format Disc window appears.
If you are formatting a CD-RW disc that has been formatted before, you can select either Quick format or Full format.
a. Quick format takes only a few minutes. I writes DirectCD file structures to the disc but does not verify the physical condition of the disc.
b. Full format, which takes about an hour to complete, configures the disc to receive data, verifies the integrity of the disc surface, and writes DirectCD file system structures to the disc.

3. Click Next to continue. The Name Your Disc window appears.

4. Type a name to identify your disc in the Name Your Disc window.
Note: The disc name can be up to 11 characters.

5. Select the Compression option if you are using a CD-RW disc and you want to enable data compression on the disc.

6. Click Finish. Disc formatting begins.
You can do other tasks on your computer while the disc is being formatted. The DirectCD Disc Ready window appears when disc formatting is complete.

7. Click OK. The DirectCD disc is ready for you to write information to it.

Note: CD-RW discs are only readable in MultiRead certified CD-ROM drives.

If you want to be able to read the DirectCD disc on a standard CD-ROM drive, see "Ejecting a DirectCD Disc to Read on Another Computer".

Ejecting a DirectCD Disc to Read on Another Computer

When you eject a CD-R DirectCD disc from the drive and you want to read it on another computer that has a standard CD-ROM drive, the disc must be formatted as an ISO 9660 closed session disc. To do this, follow these steps:

1 Right-click the CD icon on the Windows taskbar.

2 Select Properties from the drop-down list box.

3 Click the DirectCD Wizard tab.

4 Select the Enable standard CD-ROM compatibility Eject option and click OK.

5 Right-click the CD icon on the Windows taskbar.

6 Select the appropriate option from the drop-down list box:

· Eject, if the Eject Wizard is turned ON, or

· Finalize, if the Eject Wizard is turned OFF

7 Select Organize the disc so that it can be read in most standard CD-ROM drives. . . and click Finish.

Note: To make the disc readable on a standard CD-ROM drive, the disc is closed as an ISO 9660 format. This format information requires 22 MB of space on the disc for the first session, and 13 MB for each additional session. Only CD-R discs can be closed as an ISO 9660 format. CD-RW discs do not support the ISO format.
When DirectCD finishes closing the disc to an ISO 9660 format, the disc is ejected from the drive and, if the Display Disc Ejected notification option is selected in the DirectCD Wizard Options, the Disc Ejected message box appears.”