cd-rw problem

[Matt]

I recently upgraded from Windows 98 second edition to
XP. I had previously used my cd-rw drive as a high
density floppy drive to back up all of my important
documents and files. I have been unable to do this in XP
because the files saved to the cd-rw are now saved
as "read only" and can not be edited. Also, I have also
come to find that if I want to erase a single file I have
to erase the entire cd. This doesn't seem right to me.
I would like to have the drive function as it once did.
Please help.

[Harry Ohrn]

"Matt" > wrote in message
...
> I recently upgraded from Windows 98 second edition to
> XP. I had previously used my cd-rw drive as a high
> density floppy drive to back up all of my important
> documents and files. I have been unable to do this in XP
> because the files saved to the cd-rw are now saved
> as "read only" and can not be edited. Also, I have also
> come to find that if I want to erase a single file I have
> to erase the entire cd. This doesn't seem right to me.
> I would like to have the drive function as it once did.
> Please help.

This has nothing to do with XP. Under Windows 98 you were previously using a
third party packet writing application to preformat your CD-R/Ws. Common
program like Direct CD (now called Drag to Disk), InCD, Packet CD, Prassi
abcd, etc enable packet writing. The software that ships with XP is
mastering software. It is quite different than packet formatting software.

If you want to use your CD-R/W as you did in the past you will need to
install your packet writing software again. Please be advised that older
versions on this software will not run on XP. If you have Easy CD Creator 5
then update it to the latest version by visiting the www.roxio.com site and
updating to version 5.3xx . You can do the same for InCD by visiting the
www.nero.com site. Older versions of Direct CD such as version 3 or lower
and any versions of PacketCD or Prassi abcd will not run on XP.

Alex Nichol's has an excellent primer on CD Burning in XP and is a must read
for all people burning CDs on XP http://www.aumha.org/a/xpcd.htm You might
also want to look at the other links that I have here
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/cdr_info.htm

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp