DVD+RW acting like regular recordable only

Recordable and rewritable drives are the same thing, so I'm not sure I understand the problem. Do you mean that the drive will not recognize RW discs?

 

What is the application you use with VOB files (these are also known as DVD video files)?

May be I'm using the wrong terminology...  The difference I mean is between the type that has you burn a CD once and then it's not rewritable again after that... versus the kind that lets you drag and drop as many times as you want, as if to a regular drive or folder on your computer.  I'm using the right type of discs.  The drive recognizes the discs, but just doesn't let me do everything with them that I used to.

As far as VOB files, I had to use the Nero software that came with the Sony camera because none of the Sonic stuff would "recognize" the VOB file type.

alisonmad:

 

Sounds like you were using a packet writing program, such as Sonic DLA. Reinstall that and you'll be all set. This is a different program than Sonic Recordnow.

Darn, that's unfortunate, but I suspect you're right.  It's that nasty Sonic DLA that was the first thing to go bad on me, and then it all went downhill from there.  Well, I suppose I'll reinstall it and hope for the best! Thanks.

Alison:

 

You do not have to use DLA. The Windows CD burning wizard might be slightly less convenient but still can do multisession burns, i.e., a few files at a time.

I already reinstalled Sonic DLA, and will just keep my eye on it.  I suspect the real problem was a conflict between Sonic and Nero, so I'll hold off on installing Nero unless I absolutely need it and can't get Sonic to do what I need.  And then I may consider uninstalling Sonic again or something.  But anyway, it's working as expected now.  I appreciate the help!

Alison:

 

There should be no problem using DLA and Nero as long as you do not install Nero InCD.

Don't use DLA. Just used the Windows CD burning wizard.

Without using DLA, I can't rewrite (reuse multiple times) CDs intended for the purpose... once I write a CD, it thinks it done and over with and I can't reuse it again.  And without DLA I have to do the old time-consuming process of pasting files to the folder and then writing the files to CD... whereas with DLA I can drag and drop and reuse.  So I'd like to find something to give me the same functionality.

The XP CD burning wizard allows for multi-session burning, and you can use Explorer to erase any CD-RW disc.

I'm baaa-aack!

I avoided the situation for a while.  In the meantime, I tried making one more disc and got a crash again.

So I've now removed Sonic DLA again and tried your suggestions.

I was able to put files on it and then add more later.  However, I cannot delete individual files... it just wants to completely erase the RW disc.  When I try to delete individual files, the drive thinks that the disc is read only, (which it isn't).  It sounds like you imply this when you say that I could erase the disc... you didn't say that I could delete files... so this may all be expected.

If so, that's fine, I suppose.  Though it's much more difficult this way, I guess it's worth it if it saves my computer from major crashes.

But I'd still be interested to investigate replacement software, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

(And death to Sonic DLA!)

 

Thanks much!