Not "burning" to Cd after SP2 upgrade

I have found a "fix" to this problem brought on by the SP2 upgrade.
Understand I got many e-mails from Microsoft Support, and one e-mail from
support even stated the only "fix" at this time, to the problem of "burning"
to CD was to uninstall SP2 from the computer, that the fault was in the SP2
upgrade. Another e-mail goes as far as stating that Microsoft is aware of
many problems generated by the SP2 upgrade, and they will be addressing
these problems "in the future in the form of upgrades or "hotfixes"". I
followed Microsoft's advice to do a firmware flash of my CDRW drive. Bad
news. A new CDRW was damaged beyond repair by this firmware flash. I was
also told this new CDRW did not meet SP2 specs. Samsung and Microsoft (on
their own web pages) show it as being compatible with all Microsoft OS's
from 98se on. After growing tired of Microsoft's inability to address this
problem, I used my 30+ years of computer experience to trouble shoot the
problem myself. As follows is the way I fixed the problem. The following is
a copy of the final e-mail I sent to Microsoft Windows Support this morning.
The "fix" works as stated on an 6 month old eMachine computer and new "out
of the box" HP computer. This does not include the same problem some of you
are having with DVDRW drives, as I do not have this type of drive and have
not been able to test it on them. Use it at your own risk with a DVDRW
drive! But waiting on Microsoft to to admit to the problem may take years,
if at all.

"old" devildog
Simper Fi

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To: Jeffrey Tan
Microsoft Windows Support Professional

I was able to find a fix for the problem of "burning" to a CD-R/RW drive
after the upgrade to SP2, you and other support staff had been helping me
with.

The damaged (from the firmware flash suggested by Microsoft) CDRW was
replaced with a 3 year old very well used Samsung CDRW drive ( drivers were
also installed). The inability to write to CD-R or CD-RW media was still
present. The properties of a new CD-R or CD-RW was still showing no free
space.

I removed all of the files related to imapi (exe, dll & sys) from my
computer (noting the locations of all files removed). I then copied the
same files to CD-R media from a brand new (out of the box) HP computer with
XP Home Edition with SP1a service pack preinstalled.

I then installed the "old" imapi files (SP1a versions) into the same
locations the SP2 version files were in. Rebooted my computer, and checked
it. The 3 year old CDRW drive now can burn to CD-R or CD-RW media without
any problems. Properties shows the new media as having free space, or in
the case of the CDR with the imapi files, the space left on the drive. The
damaged CDRW drive was reinstalled (along with it's drivers) in the computer
and is unable to even play a music CD. The "used" CDRW drive was
reinstalled. It still works normally, but as it is 3 years old, much
slower.

The HP computer was then upgraded to SP2, using the upgrade CD provided
by Microsoft. When the HP computer was checked for ability to "burn a CDR
or CDRW after the upgrade to SP2, it failed. Properties showed no free
space even on new media. The same data CD-R was used to restore the imapi
files from SP1a to it. It now is able to "burn" to CD-R and CD-RW media,
without removing the entire SP2 upgrade as suggested by you.

The problem has been found and the problem lies with the SP2 upgrade. My
opinion is either "bad code" in the CD "burning" software of SP2 or
intentional disabling (by Microsoft) of the CD "burning" software to appease
the music industry, are the only logical answers.

I do not copy music CD's, in I fact never listen to them on my computer,
as I have a very nice home system that sounds many times better. All I ever
"burn" to CD is the photo's taken on my digital camera and data files I
back-up to protect my computer in case of OS or hardware failure. I am not
"burning" copyrighted music or software.

My computer came with the eMachine OEM version of XP Home Edition SP1a
preinstalled, and new HP computer came with the HP OEM version of XP Home
Edition SP1a preinstalled. Since reverting back to the SP1a versions of all
imapi files solved the problem on both the eMachine and HP computers, I
would suggest a "hotfix" from Microsoft with the same fix I have discovered.
I will be opening up this "fix" to others who have had the same problem.
But as the "fix" I have discovered requires a pre-SP2 computer, and most
users of XP do not have this advantage. Also a great deal of the XP users
do not have the technical skills to perform this "fix" on their own.

Microsoft should make this "fix" available ASAP. Waiting until the next
"hotfix" cycle leaves many people in the cold. As Windows Xp was advertised
as having the ability to "drag and drop" CD "burning", loss of this ability
by the SP2 upgrade, and the continuing adverting as being able to is a case
the FTC needs to be made aware of. I believe it is called false
advertising. I am still going to pursue the Small Claims case against
Microsoft for the replacement of the CDRW drive damaged by following the
advice of Microsoft Windows Support Staff.

snip
(Deleted my name and e-mail address to stop the spam)
"old" devildog
Simper Fi