I use DVDs to store my data files. My options are NOT set to write-protect any disk. I like to add data to the disk after it is created so my DVD will be up to date. It is very frustrating to put a DVD in that is only half full (or less) and get a message telling me it is write protected and I cannot continue until I remove the write protection. It shows "0" space left on the disk when I know that could not be the case. My question: How do I remove that 'invisible' write protection from a DVD+R disk?
Something else I should mention: I keep both a DVD+RW and a DVD+R disk of the same information. When this situation originally happened I copied to both disks successfully. The next time I went in to add data I could add to the DVD+RW disk but that 'message' came up for the DVD+R disk. Actually I have 2 sets of these disks copying different types of files. In each case the DVD+R disks became a problem, not the DVD+RWs. Remember, I DO NOT have my options set to write-protect.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You don't have an option set to "write Protect" the disk but if you close the disc you can't add anything to it later either. Just a thought

Frank...

We could use a little more information, particularly, how are you writing your discs? There are two distinct ways to write to optical media, writing sessions, and writing packets.

The difference is that when you write packets, you format the disc first (like a diskette) and then you drag-and-drop files to the disc using Windows Explorer, or using "Save As", and pointing to the CD drive.

When you write sessions, you start Easy Media Creator, tell it you're writing a Data disc (ie, use Creator Classic) and then you add the files you're interested in to the project, and then click the "burn" button, and all the files are added to the disc at one time.

So, if you could clarify for us just how you're writing your data to disc, maybe we could give a better answer. As a general rule, it's much safer and more reliable to write sessions than to do packet writing.

I have used this program for a short time and am still learning how to do it. In the issue I described I was using the drag and drop method. I had discovered earlier the best way to write to a DVD+R was to use Record Now but guess I forgot it when I burned those 2 disks I can no longer use. The drag and drop works well when using the dvd+rw disks but possibly I should confine my DVD writing to the Easy CD Creator's Record Now system from here on out. But the disks I have formatted will have to be used with Drag and Drop. Comfusing but I think I know what I did wrong.

Also, I knew Write Protect could not be undone but the program kept telling me I needed to do that! They need to take that language out of it.

Thanks for the help

(Quite frankly, learning to use this forum is harder than I thought!)

Drag and Drop is highly overused term that is really meaningless. Programs have names and that is what determines what you are doing.

From all indications, vague as they may be, you are using Drag to Disc.

It is really quite simple. Continue to use a packet writer and you will lose your data… Doesn't matter if it is D2D, InCD or DLA, all packet writers are unreliable.

You can use Creator Classic and by not checking the Read Only option in the Burn screen, add more data later.

For the RW's you have already started, copy the files temporarily to your HD. Burn a new disc with Classic.

After you confirm the burn is good, Erase the RWs.

James,
I appreciate your advice. You were right about the drag and drop - was really drag to disk. I have now done exactly as you suggested - I think. I copied my DVD-RW disk contents to my hard drive, formatted the RW disk, and copied the files I wanted to it. Made a few changes that I thought would be best for me in regards to the data I was copying while I was at it. Then, saving the same data, copied to a DVD+R disk. I used Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 to do this. Both of these disks now show I have more than 1 GB space remaining.
By the way, I had not heard of Packet Writing before! I had to look it up on Google. Guess that was what I was trying to do all along!
Do you recommend I ignore "Drag to Disk" and not use it at all? Possibly uninstall it?
By the way, are you the same Jim Hardin that has helped so many people on the Dell Community Forum? I have been there many, many times.
Thanks so very much to you and the others who helped.

Bessie

Bessie: You are still missing the big point and that is you are still using the least reliable form of burning ever devised!

If you Format any optical media, you are using a packet writer!

I specifically mentioned using [b]Classic[/I] and turning off Read Only so that the media is appendable. – The type of burn is known as 'Authoring' and 'Session Writing'. It is 100% rock solid and will never let you down.

As it stands now, all you have done is update your discs to use D2D V9. It will fail.

Yes I haunt the Dell Forums but not as much lately.

Most of the folks here will suggest that you do not use Drag-To-Disc (D2D). Many go so far as to either not install it in the first place, or to uninstall it afterwards. As long as you don't format any of your discs, then you won't be using D2D.

Good luck!

Please disregard - I am still trying to understand this forum!

James,
I have now made a data DVD using Classic. I chose to use a very fresh DVD+R disk. All went well - it wrote to the disk much faster than Roxio Creator 9 and I was pleased. For a few minutes. Then I decided to read the disk I had just created. Very, very slow. I could go along with that had it not made an error I would not be able to live with: I have a folder within my My Documents folder named "Email Correspondence". Within this folder I have a number of people I correspond with and the program decided to only write the first one on the list - in part. I actually have 113 messages in that file and it wrote 81 of them to the disk. I then decided to attempt to add the others to that disk. Obviously I do not understand that program very well because I was unable to add the missing items. No, the disk was not Read Only. Probably operator problems.
So, I decided to read the disks I made last evening when using Roxio Creator 9. Both of them had all the information and I could read them very quickly. I even added a file or 2 to each disk - the 'R' and the 'RW'. The program showed them as being 'appendable'.
I do have faith in your opinions - you never failed me on the Dell forum. I do not feel you have now, either, so would like you to explain to me just what will happen to the disks I burned with Roxio Creator 9 to make them fail compared to the one I made using Classic - that already failed me?

Thanks so very much,
Bessie

I deleted Drag to Disk!

There is no program called "Roxio Creator 9"…

From what you have been describing, I think you are referring to Drag to Disc.

If all we have said about the pitfalls of using D2D isn't enough to dissuade you, here is one more. It has been dropped from V10! In the coming years when you get a new PC, your D2D discs will be unusable.

Now to Classic and session writing. – every time you burn the Read Only must be clear!

Whenever you want to add to a disc, you must Import Previous Data! This is easy and semi automatic. Start Classic, insert a disc with data, click the balloon that pops up asking to import previous data…

Session writing is a little different. You can ADD data and you can "delete" data. The "delete" will only remove the access to the data, you will never recover any space on the disc.

I suggest you play with some RW media until you get a good grasp of how it works.

James,
I removed Drag to Disk using add/remove programs BEFORE I even made those disks. Possibly you have a different version of Roxio than I. Mine is: Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite 9; I purchased it in July of this year. The reason I used the name "Roxio Creator 9" is because that is what the top of the screen is named with one exception - I left out the word "Home". It is named Roxio Creator 9 Home. To get to it from the Start menu, I went to Programs, Roxio Easy Creator 9, Data, and was given 2 choices: Creator Classic and RecordNow Data. When I choose RecordNow Data I am given the window labeled Roxio Creator 9 Home.

As I told you I also used Creator Classic and it skipped some data. I also am having trouble adding data, even today, to that disk I burned on Classic. It doesn't react the way you suggest it should. After I start Classic and insert the disk I want to add data to no balloon pops up for me. Nothing happens even remotely like that. So I try to get to the spot I want the data added - this is in the upper right window - and select each item to be added; they drop to the lower window. When I select the Burn button the Burn Setup window appears. I really don't know what, if anything, to change. I am NEVER given the opportunity to click on OK. It is grayed out. I have to cancel. Possibly since I have never seen that balloon you speak of it just isn't going to work for me. Also, I have noticed the icon for selecting "Read Only or not" is always grayed out.

I don't want this to drive you nuts as it has me so I will just continue to use what works for me if you feel I am a hopeless case. Please remember, however, I DO NOT HAVE DRAG TO DISK on my hard drive any more. That thing is gone! I'll bet I could remove a lot more and it not interfer with what I want to do but I'm not sure just what. Always the way when adding new software. My camera software has lots of stuff I'm sure I don't need as does my new All-in-one HP printer!

Thanks a heap,
Bessie

There is no program called Roxio Creator 9… There is a Suite of that name which in nothing more than the box that all of the programs come in… If you asked someone what car they drive, would they tell you "A General Motors"?

I am starting to guess that you are running through the Home program. I don't even have that installed so it never entered my mind!

Go through the Start – All Programs – Roxio~~~ - Data – CreatorClassic.

Open the Help file and read about session writing.

James,
As I told you previously, I did use the CreatorClassic program and it created errors! When I told you about this I wasn't even aware how many errors it made! I only noticed the one obvious spot. Today I was attempting to fix the disk with the error and began to look at the other files I copied - or thought I copied! I have many folders containing pictures. I have several "sets" of these. Come to find out if the folder contained more than 15 or so pictures the balance didn't get copied with Classic! I know it was a waste of time but I decided to see just how bad it was. Real bad. I was able to add them to the disk, however, using that other program you do not have installed on your hard drive! Took a long time to search for all those errors and I may not have found them all but was able to add them to my disk. I then decided to examine the disks I made of the same files using that program you don't have installed. It had NOT missed filles!
Now, Jim, do you really expect me to use CreatorClassic after this experience? Have YOU examined the files you copied using Classic? Had there not been that obvious error I told you about I would never suspected such a thing could happen. By the way, the disk I was using was the DVD+R that I thought I would just have to discard!
What are your thoughts on this?

Bessie

If you burned data with Creator Classic, and the discs didn't have all of the data on them, then you have an issue with the media you are using, your burner, or your computer in general.

Bessie: I have probably lost more data than most people will ever create! At least that was not because of burning but rather using things like Microsoft Backup, cheap 5 1/4" floppy discs and more Dumb Mistakes than I care to remember!

But when it comes to burning I have lost 1 CD in 10 years with Classic. And that was again cheap media that is unreadable today.

Now with packet writing, I have lost 25 or more CDs.

I have explained how to use Classic w/Sessions. If you choose to fly in the face of several experienced users here, because you are not willing to put forth the effort to learn… That is your choice!