I use WinXP SP2 and thought I was burning data files to a DVD+RW disc. After the "Backup Data files" were on the disc, I was able to open each file. When I went to use the disc again, I found that I could load the DVD into the drive, and could read each file. However, I could not eject the disc. When I tried by pushing the drive button, or by "Eject" from the drive in Windows Explorer, nothing happened. The only way I could get the drawer to open was to reboot the computer. When looking at the disc files, I noted that the message "Files Ready to be Written to the CD" appeared in bold above the "Backup Data files" directory on the DVD disc and the directory that showed up when I highlighted any of the files was "C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning\Backup Data files".

I assumed from this that the files, even though they appeared on the disc and could be read, were never really burned onto the disc. Is there a way to complete this process of burning so that the computer will recognize the disc as a data disc and the files as data? Until then, I will not be able to use the disc since once in the drawer, it cannot be opened either manually or via software. Also, what did I do wrong when I first inserted the new, blank DVD+RW disc to make it a data disc?
Thanks

Hya Homeport.

Did you also actually burn the files to disc , or have you only placed them in a "writable CD folder" ready to be burned?

How to Burn CDs

Using Windows XP, you can copy tracks either to a compact disk?recorder (CD?R) or to a compact disk?rewritable (CD?RW).When you first insert a blank CD into your CD recorder drive, Windows XP opens a dialog box asking if you want to open a writable CD folder.

Depending on what your needs are, you can choose to open a folder or not. The Always do the selected action check box remembers your choice if you don't want to be prompted every time.

With the folder open, you can drag and drop files and/or directories into it. Windows XP makes a copy of these files in a special staging area until it is time to burn the CD, and displays a list of the contents waiting to be recorded. At this point, you can still change your mind about any of the contents in the folder. Simply select and delete any files or directories you don't want copied. They are removed from the staging area only, and your original files are not deleted.

If you attempt to place more content on the CD than its capacity allows, you will be notified. Typically, a standard CD holds 650 MB, a high capacity CD holds 850 MB. When you're ready to record, just click Write these files to CD in the task bar to the left. The CD Writing Wizard opens and prompts you for a label for the CD. You can enter up to 16 characters. Click Next and the wizard displays a progress bar indicating the status. If you did not select the Close the wizard after the files have been written check box, then a final dialog box opens, asking if you'd like to make an additional copy of the same files.


See here for more:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._august13.mspx

I used a DVD+RW. I opened Roxio Easy Creator 5 and chose DataDVD. Since it was some time ago, I don't recall exactly what occurred at that point, but I do know that I was able to transfer the files from the computer to the DVD. Once I knew I could read the files, I closed it out and ejected the disc. However, the next time I inserted the disc into the drawer, as I mentioned in my first memo, I could read the files but could not eject the disc unless I rebooted the computer. The "Files to be written" message showed up and it also showed the file location as I showed earlier in "My Document........" directory.
The question now is: How do I get the files to be written to the DVD+RW disc?
Thanks