Article ID: 324129
Article Last Modified on 11/28/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q324129
SUMMARY
This article describes how to troubleshoot issues that occur if you write data to CD-R and CD-RW optical discs and how to troubleshoot issues with CD-R and CD-RW drives.
If you experience a problem reading from a disc by using the CD-R drive, the CD-RW drive, the DVD drive, or the CD drive, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
321641 How to troubleshoot common problems that occur when a Windows XP-based computer cannot read a CD or a DVD
SYMPTOMS
When you try to write data to an optical disc, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
- You receive various disc write error messages.
- You experience issues with the drive and the built-in recording feature of Windows XP.
- You experience issues with third-party programs that you use to write data to the disc.
- You cannot read the disc in all versions of Windows.
- You cannot read the disc, or some files on the disk, by using an MP3 player.
- When you add files or folders to a disc that already contains data, some files are lost.
- Recording files to the disc is inconsistent.
- The disc recording operation is consistently unsuccessful.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshooting specific errors
If you experience one of the following errors, follow the appropriate steps to resolve the error. If you continue to experience problems, follow the steps in the "General troubleshooting" section.
- This error can occur if the CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device. This error can also occur if the device driver has been corrupted. To resolve this issue, see Method 3 in the "General troubleshooting" section and Method 1 in the "Advanced troubleshooting" section.
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This error message typically occurs when you try to write to a CD-R or a CD-RW, and the Windows XP built-in disc recording feature does not recognize the CD drive as a recordable drive. This error message may also occur if specific third-party programs are installed. For more information about how to troubleshoot this error, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
316529 CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device
315350 "Incorrect function" error message when you access the CD-ROM drive, the DVD-ROM drive, or the CD-RW drive
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This error message can occur because individual files cannot be deleted from the CD-RW. You cannot use the CD disc recording feature of Windows XP for random-access storage while you are writing to disc.
To work around this problem, use a third-party program that supports this feature or delete the CD-RW before you write to the disc. For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:303008 An error message may be displayed when you delete a file or folder on a CD-RW media
306641 How to erase files from a CD-RW disc in Windows XP
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When you click OK, you receive a "No CD recorder found" message.
This error message may occur with certain versions of CD-R or CD-RW recording programs that are incompatible with Windows XP. To resolve this issue, make sure that you have the latest driver installed for your device, and contact the software manufacturer to obtain a compatible update for the program. For more information about how to resolve this issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:316393 "SCSI Error: No SCSI Host Adapter Found" error message when you attempt to record a CD
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This error message may occur if the IMAPI CD Burner service is turned off. To resolve this issue, make sure that the service is running and that it has not been turned off. By default, the service is set to Manual. Start the IMAPI CD Burner service, and then test it by writing to a CD-R or a CD-RW. If the service works, you may have to set the service to Automatic if it does not start in Manual mode. To set the service to Automatic, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Run, type services.msc /s, and then click OK.
- Double-click IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service.
- Under Service Status, click Start.
- Try to write data to a CD.
General troubleshooting
Method 1: Confirm that your CD-R or CD-RW is listed in the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
See the HCL to make sure that your CD-R drive or your CD-RW drive is compatible with Windows XP. Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for the brand and the model of the CD-R drive or CD-RW drive. To view the list of supported devices on the most recent HCL, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
If your device is not on the HCL list, contact the hardware manufacturer to obtain firmware updates for the device or to obtain a driver update. For information about how to contact the hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
If your device is listed on the HCL list, continue to Method 2.
Method 2: Check the Device Manager to see whether the device is missing
To open the device manager, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Run, type sysm.cpl, and then click OK.
- Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
If you see that your device is missing, contact the device manufacturer to find out how to install the latest drivers for the device. For information about how to contact the hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
If your device is listed in Device Manager, continue to Method 3.
Method 3: Check the device manager to see whether there is an issue with the driver
If the device manager indicates there is an issue with the device, you may be able to resolve the issue by uninstalling and then reinstalling it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
- On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
- Click the drive that uses the driver that you want to remove.
- On the Action menu, click Uninstall.
When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click OK.
- On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact the device manufacturer to find out whether there is an updated driver for the device.For information about how to contact the hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
Method 4: Use a third-party program
If you are using the built-in recording feature of Windows XP, you may be able to work around the issue by using a third-party CD recording program.
Note Some third-party programs may experience issues with specific drives. Additionally, specific versions of the third-party program may have known issues. If you already use a third-party program, contact the manufacture to find out whether there are known issues or updates that you should be aware of. The "References" section contains known issues with specific third-party programs. For information about how to contact the hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
Method 5: Change the CD or DVD drive from programmed input/output (PIO) mode to direct memory access (DMA) mode
To change from PIO mode to DMA mode, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
310751 Device settings are hard to find in Windows XP
Advanced troubleshooting
These methods are intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For information about how to contact support, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Method 1: Make sure that the CD-R or CD-RW drive is recognized as a recordable device
To make sure that the CD-R drive or the CD-RW drive is recognized as a recordable drive, make sure that the Recording tab appears in the CD drive properties:
- Click Start, and then click My Computer.
- Right-click the CD-R drive or the CD-RW drive, click Properties, and then look for the Recording tab.
If the CD-R drive or the CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recording drive by Windows XP, but the drive is recognized only as a CD-ROM, confirm that the CD-R drive or the CD-RW drive is compatible with Windows XP. For example, confirm that the drive is compatible with Windows XP if the Recording tab does not appear. To view the list of supported devices on the most recent HCL, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
If the drive is incompatible, you may still be able to record discs in Windows XP if you use a compatible third-party program or if you update the drivers. Contact the hardware manufacturer for a firmware or a device driver update. For information about how to contact the hardware manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K
60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P
60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
Note If the CD-R drive or the CD-RW drive is recognized as a recordable device, but you are receiving the "There is no disk in the drive. Please insert a writable CD into drive" error, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
316529 CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device
This article describes how to make the Recording tab appear for supported devices.
Method 2: Install the KB320174 package, set the write speed for a CD-R drive, and then move the temporary files location for Windows XP
Note Follow these steps if you experience intermittent problems when you copy files or folders to a CD-R or to a CD-RW with a CD recorder:
- To install the KB320174 package, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
320174 Compact disc recorded in Windows XP is missing files or folders or is unreadable
- To set the write speed, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
309522 How to set the write speed for a CD-R drive in Windows XP
- To move the temporary files location, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
308572 How to move the temporary files location for Windows XP CD recording
MORE INFORMATION
The information and the solution in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or through a third-party provider. Microsoft does not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted to be a commitment by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.
Microsoft makes no warranties and excludes all representations, warranties, and conditions whether express, implied, or statutory. These include but are not limited to representations, warranties, or conditions of title, non-infringement, satisfactory condition, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose, with regard to any service, solution, product, or any other materials or information. In no event will Microsoft be liable for any third-party solution that this article mentions.
REFERENCES
For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
314096 Advanced troubleshooting for issues that occur when you are installing a new CD or DVD drive on Windows XP
308012 How to troubleshoot problems that occur when you play a DVD in Windows XP
306318 Troubleshooting DVD playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP
306319 How to troubleshoot Audio CD creation in Windows Media Player for Windows XP
302711 Windows XP does not support testing before writing to CD-R or CD-RW media
300779 The "Write to CD" option is available while copying files to the staging area
306641 How to erase files from a CD-RW disc in Windows XP
For more information about known issues with specific third-party programs in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310628 Easy CD Creator 5.0 does not function in Windows XP
321640 CD-ROM drive may not be able to read a UDF-formatted disc in Windows XP
314993 A disc in a DVD drive may not be played automatically with Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.1 and Norton Anti-Virus 2002
315345 "CD Recording Software Will Cause Windows to Become Unstable" error message when you start Windows XP
314060 You can no longer access the CD drive or the DVD drive, or you receive an error message after you remove a CD recording program or a DVD recording program in Windows XP: "error code 31"
For more information about specific issues, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
308591 Unable to burn a CD-ROM by using a Samsung CD-RW drive
309325 Problems when you create an audio CD with your Hewlett-Packard CD-writer drive
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
Additional query words: burn copy write imapi cd-writer cd-r cd-rw burner burning ripping cdr cdrw
Keywords: kbresolve kbhardware kbtshoot kbhowtomaster KB324129
