Recently I purchased a new computer running Windows XP Service Pack 2. Unlike my previous computer, this new computer does not have a floppy drive. On my old computer, I used the floppy drive to save backups of documents. On my new computer, I am attempting the same thing but instead doing backups to CD-RW disks. However, whenever I attempt to save a file to the CD-RW (D) drive from within an application (e.g. Microsoft Word) the following message appears: ‘You do not have access to the folder D. See your administrator for access to this folder’. I am able to successfully save the files to my hard drive, and then copy them to the CD-RW disk using the Windows XP in-built CD writing function. A related problem is when opening a document on a CD-RW disk and modifying the contents, then attempting to save the file back to the CD, the following error appears: ‘Cannot save the file D: est.doc. The file exists and is marked Read Only’. How can I write files to CD like my old floppy disks? (more…)

When a CD is inserted into the CD-ROM drive after Windows has loaded, Windows will not read the CD and My Computer reports the data content of the CD as ‘zero bytes’. The same occurs for discs inserted into the DVD drive. However, if a disc is inserted into the computer before Windows loads, Windows will recognise and read the disc. I can also eject the disc, and insert a disc, and Windows will read the new disc (although the name of the disc remains the same as the disc in the drive prior to Windows starting). The computer is running Windows XP. (more…)

I am currently looking for a DVD recorder, so I can transfer my home movies to DVDs for archival purposes. Can you give me advice on which brands and models are the best, and which ones I should avoid? (more…)

Recently I put a DVD+/-RW drive into my computer. I am able to copy files to the CD using burning software like Nero, and subsequently open the files, yet I cannot save the files back onto the CD-RW. When attempting to save the files, a message appears saying ‘Word cannot save or create this file. The disk may be full or write protected’. When attempting to drag and drop a file onto the CD, the following message appears: ‘Cannot copy. Access denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write protected’. The computer is running Windows 98. (more…)

When using Nero to backup a DVD of home movies, a message appears saying: ‘Nero has detected that your drive is not in DMA mode. To improve your system performance, we suggest you enable DMA for all drives’. The computer is running Windows XP, and I was under the impression DMA is turned-on by default in Windows XP? I cannot find any option for enabling DMA when I look at the Properties for the DVD+/-RW drive. (more…)