I recently bought a new Dell, Windows XP by request, to replace one that was several years old, also XP. I share a lot of data with my cousin, and I had never before had a problem with his computer reading my discs (he also has a Dell, Windows XP). I burned a couple of discs for him, and after discovering his computer wouldn't recognize any data on the discs, I also found out my old computer wouldn't recognize them, either. They would read on my husband's new computer, though, and he is using Vista. One disc was a homemade DVD, and the standalones would read it, just the older computers wouldn't. I thought it was a burner compatibility issue. I do a lot of disc burning, so I decided to hook my old computer back up, but since I got a new flat panel (analog) monitor, I left that in place instead of bringing the old clunky monitor back to the desk. Now the discs read! To recap, the discs were made in the new computer with the new monitor. The discs would play in standalones but not in the older computers. Now the disc will play in the old computer hooked up to the new monitor. Odd! There is no other answer I know of except to say it must be the monitor?? I honestly don't see how a monitor could cause a disc not to read, doesn't make any sense at all, but it's the only thing that makes a difference. Can anyone explain this phenomenon?
I would appear that you used packet writing software like Roxio's Drag to Disc, Nero's InCD, or Sonic's DLA to burn those discs. You may have just found out why you should never use packet writing software to burn valuable data. Using packet writing software is like playing Russian Roulette. You will eventually lose.
No, I didn't. I uninstalled Roxio right off the bat (requested NO burning software with my order, but evidently they didn't honor my request!) and installed just plain old Nero Start Smart and NeroVision Express which I have used for years, but I didn't install the entire Nero Suite with the InCD or packet writing software. I am fairly computer literate, have installed RAM and a DVD/RW drive, have reformatted and partitioned my computer quite a few times, along with several other peoples' computers, but I don't quite get the mystery with this situation. Thanks for the response, though. I wish I knew what the deal was.
