Hi guys/girls,

I'd appreciate any help with an annoying problem on my Thinkpad. I've been trying to burn photos and date files onto Sony CD-RWs but the discs come out unreadable on other computers. I believe I am using something called IBM DLA and wonder if that somehow changes the way the CD is written? If anyone could help me with reverting the settings such that I can write CDs as they usually work with XP Pro I would be most grateful.

PS - Don't know if it's relevant or related, but each time I pop in a blank CD-RW I am forced to do a full format which takes at least 20 mins, but I don't remember having to do this on my T20.

I can feel your pain. I have a T30 and also had those issues, until I started to use the software that IBM provides with the burners... its by Veritas and at least on my machine is called IBM RecordNow. Havent had any problems since. Its not the best or most flexible program out there, but it does the trick (at least for my very basic burning needs).

Still, dont take this from IT Idiotic me... wait for the experts to come around and Im sure they will give you a much better solution.

If I were you I'd stay clear of these packet writing app's, just use a normal CD burning application like Nero.

ScottC's advice is good.

The issue with formatting the disk is causing the issue with reading on other PC's. The formatting is necessary for packet-writing (advertised by roxio as "use your CD writer just like a disk drive"), and while it does simnplify the step of writing and re-writing the disk it does cuase compatibilty problems with CD-ROM drives unless the other PC has a software driver capable of reading the dsk format.

I do know that Roxio includes a step to "Make this CD readable on CD-ROM drives" that revises the disk format (somehow) to be compatible with the typical CD-ROM format. Check to see whether this option exists in your driver.

Otherwise turn off the packet-writing function and just use the CD-RW as a re-writable CDR.

I had the same problem (T40P)
Here is how to follow the previous advice:
* click on the Start button
* All Programs
* IBM DLA
* DLA Help
* Click on the "Making Discs Compatible" link

which basically tells you to go to
* My Computer
* right click on the CD/DVD and select "Make Compatible"
but read the DLA Help first because there are some caveats

Thanks guys for the info. I decided to uninstall both DLA and RecordNow from the computer and presto! All works fine, for now at least. The CD I burnt works fine on other computers including Macs.

I'm trying to figure out what's so useful about DLA, but the usefulness does not seem very apparent to me - if I need to transfer files easily like a floppy drive I'd just use my USB flash drive but I guess it might be a boon to others.

OK.... but, are Roxio and Nero easy enough to use for IT bozos like me'self...? I also assume they are available for free in some not full function format?

Nero is like the best of both worlds. It has all kinds of nerd knobs you can turn, but for those who are, umm, IT bozos, it has an "express" menu which will allow you to do most tasks with a relatively small amount of "under the hood" knowledge required.

Pay the money for Nero. It's worth the small investment.

Yes.... I guess I should just listen to those that know their IT. Scotty has been pushing me to use this program for ages now.....