Problems with DVDs burned with Vista

I burned a data DVD using the Burn feature in Vista. I can see the files on my notebook (which uses the Vista OS) but there is absolutely nothing when I try to view the documents on my XP based PC.

I do not know a lot about this stuff but I presume the documents were burned via Vista's Live File System on my new HP 2550 notebook.

According to what I've read in the help files, the session is supposed to be "closed" when you eject the DVD. If so, why doesn't my XP machine read the DVD?

Also, is there a way to make these already burned DVDs "closed" or is it "mastered," so I can see their contents on any computer, including Macs. The contain years of image files, both jpegs and video.

Thanks.

 

You're correct, don't use the "live burn" feature if you want compatibility with older systems.

When you select files to burn, you should get a pop up that gives you a choice of formatting options: Live File System and Mastered. Pick mastered and you'll be able to use it on virtually all computers.

EDIT: Incidentally, there are different versions of the Live File System that have various levels of compatibility. The latest one is compatible only with Vista, but other versions extend compatibiility to XP, 2000, or even 98. To find out more about these options, open up Help (F1) and search for "cd dvd format" and click on the Which CD or DVD option should I use? section.

 

According to Microsoft, to close a disc manually:

1. Open Computer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer.

2. Right-click the drive icon that represents your writeable drive, and then click Close session.

When right-clicking the drive icon with the CD inserted, I am not given the menu option to "Close session." So I can't close it.

Why and what do I need to do to access the Close Session menu option?

Thank you.


Source: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Wi...9b2b-0804-44ba-b277-a64fc439c79c1033.mspx#EGC

 

Spent hours on this only to discover that the CD/DR burner in my PC is not working. I tried the DVD in my huband's XP notebook.

Is it difficult to install a new dvd drive in a computer?

 

If it's a desktop system you're talking about, it's a fairly simple matter to make sure the new drive is jumpered the same as the old one, then just undoing some screws and swapping the drives. Depending on your computer case this may be quick and painless or a real PITA.

 

Just one more change that I am dealing with when it comes to my extended family getting new PC's with Vista on it.

Vista while stable now after the recent performance packs is more work than its worth at this point.

 

Not sure what you mean but, if you read all my posts, after initially thinking the problem was Vista, I discovered it is not at all.

I burned the disks on my Notebook that has the Vista OS, then tested them in my Windows XP PC. It turned out that the drive in the PC is not working; the burned CDs worked just fine on my husband's XP laptop.

I've since burned several more CD/DVD's with Vista and it works like a charm. Not one problem.

Ya can't blame this one on Vista. It's a combination of hardware problems and user inexperience.