You cannot write to a DVD-RAM disc that is in a DVD-RAM/CD-RW combination drive (826510)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1a
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1a
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2

SYMPTOMS

When you try to write to a DVD-RAM disc that is in a DVD-RAM/CD-RW combination drive, you may receive the following error message:
The disc in the drive is not a writable CD or it is full.

Please insert a blank, writable CD into drive D:\, or insert a disc with enough free space to hold all the files you have selected for writing to CD.
Note Windows XP does not support recording UDF-formatted information on a DVD-RAM disc.

CAUSE

This error occurs if the Enable CD recording on this drive check box is selected in the properties for the DVD-RAM/CD-RW drive.

RESOLUTION

To enable writing to the DVD-RAM disc, follow these steps:
  1. Open My Computer.
  2. Right-click DVD-RAM Drive under Devices with Removable Storage, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Recording tab.
  4. Clear the Enable CD recording on this drive check box, and then click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Conversely, if the Enable CD recording on this drive check box is clear, and if you try to write files to a CD-R or a CD-RW disc, you receive the following error message:

D:\ is not accessible.
Incorrect function.

To enable writing to a CD-R disc or to a CD-RW disc, follow the steps that are listed in the "Resolution" section, except for step 4 where you select the Enable CD recording on this drive check box (instead of clearing the check box).

The underlying cause for this problem when you enable the Enable CD recording on this drive option is that the Image Mastering API (IMAPI) CD Burning COM service is used to burn the disc. However, the service does not support DVD media. After you turn off this option, the first time that new media is opened, the I/O manager gives all file systems a chance to examine the media and determine whether the format is a supported file system. The setting does not determine what file systems can be used on the blank disc or what file system the media was formatted to:
  • CD-R/CD-RW discs support Compact Disc File System (CDFS). This file system is enabled when the Enable CD recording on this drive check box is selected.
  • DVD-RAM discs support FAT32 or Universal Disk Format (UDF) file systems. This file system is not supported by the Enable CD recording on this drive option.
For more information about IMAPI and and the formats that IMAPI supports visit the following MSDN Web site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/devio/base/interacting_with_imapi.asp
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/10/2005
Keywords:kbprb kbinfo kbhowto kberrmsg KB826510 kbAudEndUser
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