CD-RW Problems: CD's Become Unreadable

One other thing you could do, if this is Easy CD Creator you have installed AND IF any of the suggestions above allow you to load the CD-RW without it freezing the system, is as follows.

Look in the folder C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD for a file named "Scandisc.exe".

This ISN'T the Windows 98 ScandisK.exe, so a file search for the Roxio version would find it.

This utility is able to scan CD-R, CD-RW, etc disks for problems, and also has a "repair" option if it reports any problems.

The dificulty here is that it obviously won't work if the disks keep freezing the system.

Have you tried holding down the SHIFT key while loading the CD-RW?

If the CD-RW is autorun-enabled (ie. a small file named autorun.inf created on it), WAS closed properly, and perhaps the file that it uses to check for the existence of a udf reader is corrupt, then holding the shift key would stop it from autorunning.

This might then allow you to scan and fix the problem.

Hmm.... I had that problem once after installing an update for roxio. I use XP Pro. The cd's only became readable again after I erased them completely using 'clonecd' software. Unfortunately, I had to reformat the computer, the problem wouldn't go after all troubleshooting.
Good luck!

Yes, well my problem is worse. My PC freezes when I place the bad CD's in the drive. Maybe clonecd will allow me to get around this somehow--but at the moment i'm stymied.

Have you tried disabling the Windows XP CD-Burning "Service" just in case this is interfering with things?

This page gives you a reasonable idea of how to disable a service:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

Basically, and this is from memory,

1. Start Menu > Settings >Control Panel
2. Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools
3. Double click "Services"
4. Scroll down and highlight "ImapiService" (I'm sure that's what it's called)
5. Right-click the selected service and select Properties
6. Click STOP
7. Startup Type > Select Disable
8. Click OK
9. Reboot

Just verify from the description that it is the "ImapiService".

BillDL I just disabled my CD Burning Service. I take it that this simply disables the Windows XP CD burning service and allows other programs (Roxio, Nero) to handle all CD burning???

Thanks to all for your terrific advice. Please remember what's happened here. I can still create data disks (drag and drop) and burn entire CD's. It's just that, suddenly, 3 of my RW CD's went "bad." Just loading them into the drive causes my PC to freeze. I'd hoped to at least be able to see what's on the disks (I neglected to label them), possibly transfer the data, then re-format. But I can't do that.

All three disks are Memorex "Ultra-Speed" (16x-24x) 700 MB. I have a 52 x 24 x 52 CD-RW drive. I've not changed hardware or software (Roxio--latest version) since using the disks. I'm not certain, but I'd say all are data (drag and drop) disks. I'd say it's been about 4 months since I last used them (successfully).

I'm wondering if there might be more "powerful" software to allow me to read these disks? Not sure if that'll work because, as mentioned, the PC locks up when I insert the disks in the drive.

Thanks to all,

Marylyn :)

you can try :

http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/download.php                        CD recovery FREE
http://www.isobusterdownload.org/isobuster_all_lang.zip                  ISObuster
http://www.cddataguys.com/BadCopyPro.htm                        BadCopy Pro

If you were using Win98, I would have suggested booting to a Win98 boot floppy with CD-Rom support, and seeing if you could access the data from DOS, but I am not as familiar with XP and don't know if this would work.  The boot floppies for XP are only intended as a means for automatically launching the setup from CD and comprise 5 floppies.

I know of a couple of CD-Burning utilities that work in DOS and MAY have allowed you to access data, but again I don't think they would work in XP.

Did it spin up and then lock the system when you tried to access them before?
 What happens if you hold down the SHIFT key as you close the CD's tray?
There is a slight chance that it might allow you to run the Roxio CD Scandisc utility to see if it can repair the CD's.

Check out the links supplied by nobus above.

Thanks to all, once again. BillDL, I'll try holding down the SHIFT key, as you suggest. I'll report back (I don't want to inseret a disk at this time as the PC may freeze again.

Regarding Nobus's suggested links, I greatly appreciate the time and trouble you took. Unfortunately, at least so far I can't use the programs since merely inserting the CD causes a lock-up. So odd. I must need a DOS-based CD-repair utility, or something.

What a strange phenomenon. 3 CD-RW disk all inaccessible. Same brand (Memorex). Same size: 700MB. And a few others from the same "batch" function just fine.

Marylyn :)

Have you tried these disks on another computer,if they don´t work on another machine than those disks are usless.
This error can usually occur when burning to the same cd using different burn speeds,eg changing from 24x to 12x and vice-versa.

CD-RW have a lesser life span than cd-R's; also they are much more subject to deteriotion during storage. That can be the cause. I always recommend NEVER using RW disks, as they give much more trouble than pleasure, over the years :
they're slower; loose earlier the data, and cost more. Only if you use them regularly (weekly), i see a use for them.

I see, Nobus. Interesting. I do a great deal of drag-and-drop (using Roxio 7.0) and thought CD-RW would be my best option. But I'm now terribly nervous about saving important info on them. I think maybe I should put everything on CD-R disks, as you suggest.

Big disappointment. Good thing I've used multiple disks for my back-ups.

Marylyn :)

I agree with what nobus says about CD-RW disks.  They were the holy grail when they first came out, and were reckoned to make important data backups much easier.  Indeed they do, but I wouldn't trust any irreplaceable data on one.

I DO think that f-king's theory about different write speeds does have some foundation, and may well be a contributory factor.  Often using the maximum (re-)write speed can corrupt data even though the disks are supposedly rated up to that maximum.

My theory is that configuration settings were changed before or after burning those 3 affected disks, and you have now discovered that those settings don't work properly.  Pity there is know way of knowing what settings might have changed, because you could then avoid them in future. It's unlikely that 3 out of a batch would be bad, but it IS possible.

This has been an interesting lesson. I surely will no longer trust RW disks as I once had. I'm learning a good dealk from everyone's input. You're all so very helpful. :)

hmm   it seems that you are burning way to fast for the cd's try a lower burn speed

Oh Great. I'd intended to add points and divide the proceeds amongst a few of you terrific experts. Let me try to reach the Experts staff. Damn.

BillDL--I'd intended to add points and share them between you and Nobus. Let me try to reach the staff here. Marylyn  

marilyn.

If you post a new zero-point question in
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/
and there quote the web address to THIS question, you can ask administration staff to help you split points.

BillDL and Nobus,

I reached the staff and sent along the URL for this page, as they requested. I hope to hear back from them soon.

Thank you very much for your patience.

Marylyn :)

Right, marylyn, here's your chance to split points.  Now don't mess up this time  :-)

Here, have a read at this page and the process will be explained:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hi69

>>>
More than one Expert helped solve my problem. What do I do?
- Scroll down to the bottom of the question and click the "Split Points" link at the bottom of the page.
- Select the radio button of the comment who you want to Accept as the answer.
(Only one button can be selected).
- Set the point value (in text box above the comment) of how many of the total points you want this person to receive.
- Now set the point values for each of the other experts' comments to whom you want to allocate points (these will be considered as "Assisted Answers").
- Double check your information and then click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
**Note: the total points of the splits must equal the amount you asked the question for itself, and no person can receive fewer than 20 points.
<<<
 

Sorry for the mix-up, guys. I think all is now in order. I hadn't seen the "Split Points" option.

You're both terrific. I'm in the fashion field but enjoy trying to fix things myself. You've been a great help, needless to say.

Thank you both, again :)

Marylyn :)

Thank you, marylyn.  It's a pleasure helping out.

I'm at the age now where I look too old for the latest fashions, but too young for those "comfortable" clothes worn by "older" folks.  What a dilemma.  Maybe I'll be asking YOU for some help some time.  :-)

Bill

i do not understand this, ,either samassrl  or gonzalo are listed in this question? ?

ME either  can someone explain what is happening??




CF101

Modulo,

I'm confused. I originally posted 175 points. I added 125 to total 300. I then asked to split this total between BillDL and nobus.

Marylyn

There has been a mix up.

If you look at the question by samassrl
(https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21221256/EPSON-LQ2550-DRIVER.html)
there was a query about how to split points and I suggested to samassrl to look at THIS question here rather than me typing out instructions again.

samassrl has simply pasted the url for THIS question in Community Support while looking at both questions.

Thank you, Bill, for all your help in resolving this...

Marylyn :)

No problem at all, marylyn.  Next question please...  :-)

Thank you again, Bill. I don't have any more questions and am off on a fashion junket to Madrid, but if I need any technical follow-up I'll surely post another question when I return. You and nobus were extremely helpful. Thank you.