DVD Recordable has serious problems

My T61 has the optical drive DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer. This is supposed to be relatively fast isn't it? But it's really very slow. I use Verbatim DVD+RW disks. Here are some of the problems:

1. Very slow data transfer;

2. Can't copy, delete, or move files within the DVD--whenever I tried to move or copy a file from one folder to another *within* the DVD disk, or to delete a file, I get the message something like "Can't move/delete... this is a read-only...". Although my system does show it is a HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-U10N.;

3. Sometimes when I ejected the DVD, I got blue screen of death, "if this is the first time you get this screen, shut down and reboot... ". I got the BSOD several times. Just rebooted and it seemed OK.

Bottomline: Accessing DVD/CD is a pain in the neck for me.

If someone could offer any opinions on the above problems I'll be really thankful!

 

You cannot move files on a DVD+RW disc. You can only re-burn it. To have the ability to move files, you'll need a DVD-RAM disc and it has to be formatted correctly.

How about removing DLA. It's a known troublemaker.

 

Thanks--I didn't know that. What is DLA?

 

It stands for Drive Letter Access. It enables you to drag and drop files onto recordable CD's and DVD's. IMO, it causes more trouble than it's worth. If you want to burn data into discs, just use a program where there are more options and organization anyways.

 

Arkit3kt, how do I find/access/delete DLA? Once I've deleted it, what other programs can I use to do those tasks?

 

Your computer should already have disc burning software. You can disable DLA when you right click > properties on your optical drive in My Computer.

 

I have disabled DLA, but now I can't access my DVD using either windows explorer or 'my computer'. I have T61. I have no clue how to access the DVD now

 

You only unchecked the DLA box and now you can't access your optical drive? What happens when you try?

 

OK, I ejected the DVD and re-inserted it. Now it shows the folders and files (before this, when I posted the above reply, it shows '0 byte' on the disk and said something like you can't access...). Now, how do I save or copy files etc.?

 

You can drag and drop them to your desktop.

 

I can copy files *from* DVD to hard disk or desktop, but not vice versa. Also can not delete files on DVD. Message says

"Windows does not support this CD-RW format. To use this disc, choose the task 'Erase this CD-RW', which will format the disc so that Windows can use it"

??!!

 

In order to put data onto a disc, it needs to be burnt on. You can't just drag and drop. And to erase stuff from a CD-RW or DVD-RW, you need to erase the whole disc I believe. You can't treat a disc like it's a folder.

 

Hi, but my disc is actually a DVD+RW. If I enable the DLA again, then I'm able to copy or save/delete files to the disc again. I disabled DLA because of the potential troubles it causes, then I had this new problem.

 

DLA is the program that allows you to "drag and drop" files onto a CD or DVD writer (so, disabling it causes "this new problem").

That said, as everyone has said, this is a problematic way to do things; direct disc access programs like DLA can slow down your computer, and sometimes cause other issues. Burning CD's and DVD's is best done by running a program designed for the task, and then exiting the program when you are done. Even though programs like DLA exist, CD's and DVD's aren't really meant to have files moved around on them like you would with a hard disk; it is better just to do a complete erase if you're using an RW disc and start fresh.

The best way is not to drag and drop files onto your drive via My Computer or Windows Explorer. The best way is to click the Start Button, go to Programs, then "Multimedia Center for Think Offerings", and from that menu, choose "Multimedia Center Home". This will run Sonic Record Now, the program that came with your ThinkPad for burning CD's and DVD's. My advice is to use this program to do your burning, keep DLA disabled, and no longer try to just drag and drop to record files to disc.

 

LoneWolf15, thank you so much for the explanations (I like your avatar btw ). I have never done this before. Does it mean that without DLA, if i use the multimedia center to access the disc, I can only burn/copy/erase the entire disc, and cannot just copy/move/erase files or folders individually? I've opened the multimedia center home and I see just "disc copy", meaning copying the whole disc?

Really appreciate your time!

 

DVD-RW is DVD that can be used over and over. A plain DVD can be used once and that's it. Once you burn data onto a plain DVD, you cannot erase the data or add to it. DVD-RW is like a plain DVD except that you can erase it and put new stuff onto it as if it was a new DVD.

You can do all this through your Sonic programs. You should be presented with options. Disc Copy would create a copy of the whole disc but that is not what you are looking for.

What exactly is it that you want to do?

Have you ever made/burned a music CD?

 

Hi, I use DVD+RW, I use it just for backup my hard disk files. So all I do is copying/moving/saving files or folders from hard disk to DVD+RW, moving/deleting files within the DVD+RW. Is it possible to do these for individual files using the multimedia center without having to burn the entire DVD?

(I have never burned a music CD before)

 

DVD-RW cannot be treated as what you described. Basically what you want is a DVD that can act as a folder, which I believe only DVD-RAM can behave since it stores data in concentric tracks.

My advice to you is if you want to back up data is to purchase a flash drive or an external HDD so you can plug it in via USB. Using a DVD disc as a constant backup media is, IMO, a waste of money and not as reliable as flash storage.

 

Actually I used to simply use flash drive to backup files, but then I read that flash drives are mainly for data transfer and are not reliable as permanent storage--data could be easily lost some day. It's suggested that to backup data use CD/DVD. I would love to hear that USB flash drives are suitable for backup since they are much more convenient and faster, even though more expensive.

 

I'm not sure where you read that but SSD's are basically flash drives in a HDD-type enclosure and they're being put into notebooks to replace HDD's.

If you want to stick with CD-RW/DVD-RW backups then I suggest you create a folder on your computer where you keep the data you want to back up so that whenever you want to burn that data onto the DVD's or CD's, you can just burn that whole folder onto the disc. Then if you want to reuse the disc since it is rewriteable and because you have additional items that you added to that folder to back up, just erase the cd and burn the updated folder onto the disc. Then repeat the process as you update the folder with data.

 

While flash drives can work as a storage medium, I've seen too many crushed, shorted out by electrostatic charge, or run through the washing machine. Only a few brands are hardened against most of this, and those are still somewhat easy to lose due to size, if you're a sometimes-disorganized person like myself. So I use mine mainly for storing applications, documents for transfer rather than backup, and security/antivirus/antimalware/utility software for fixing machines.

I agree with Arkit3kt that a USB external hard drive is a good option, or a FireWire one. I'd look to using one of these; you also get the added benefit of being able to get a drive larger than any USB flash drive. You then also have the option of using disk cloning software like Acronis TrueImage to do a complete backup of your laptop's hard drive, if you choose not to use the integrated Windows backup software. This is a better solution than a USB drive or DVD+RW media if your task is backing up.

 

Thanks for all your replies. What hard drive would you recommend that is relatively inexpensive? I don't need very large storage.