More on Windows CD writing.

I've been following this thread with interest and have decided to 'Have a
Go'!
I'm taking it slowly - 'cos I was getting lost in *The* thread! :-)

pmj...

Well, they aren't always labelled very clearly, are they?
Dark Grey writing on a Black Fascia plate.
& the Computer is often tucked away, hidden somewhere, underneath
the desk, where it's difficult to see things, isn't it?

& I only Posted that up, so as to show how easy it is to sometimes
overlook (what can be, but isn't always) some of the "obvious" things.

I'm sure we can *all* learn from mistakes - I know I learn from not
only my own mistakes, but also from other peoples.

pmj...

& at that point, (with a blank CD in the CD/DVD Writer Drive),
what does the Nero Info Tool thingy say about it?

jamps...

I'm being dimmer than usual tonight! I can't remember where to find the

Rabbit...

That's exhaustion after wot went on in the bike sheds late last night :-)

Tool thingy. I got as far as putting a blank CD in the drive and then -

Rabbit...

In mine it lives in Start--All Programs--Nero -- Nero OEM--Nero Info Tool

pmj...

The Nero Info Tool Utility is normally in a Sub Folder called
"Nero Toolkit", in the "Ahead" folder in the "Program Files" Folder.

You can Run it (directly) from there, by Navigating to it, using
windoze Explorer or "My Computer".

There may also be an Entry for it in your Start Menu, in the
"Ahead (Nero) Section, (not all Nero Installations do actually
have a Shortcut to it in the Start Menu, but the Info Tool is
always (as far as I am aware) Installed anyway)

what?

Have you checked also, (in the Control Panel>Services thingy)
that the InCD Service thingy isn't Running & that the IMAPI
Service *is* Running?

jamps...

IMAPI appears to be running - set on automatic. There is a Blue 'start'
button waiting to be clicked.

pmj...

Ah, now *that's* interesting, cos if it's Set to "Automatic",
then it will have Started up *Automatically*, when the PC Booted up.

if it's not Running now, then it's either Stopped (Exited) itself,
(maybe cos it thought it was no longer needed?) or p'raps something
else Stopped it.

Have a look in the Event Log Viewer thingy, to see if it Exited
normally.

It might be an idea to Set it to "manual"?

The idea of that is that it is then Started up by whatever needs it,
as & when required.

The InCD Helper is disabled.

pmj...

Good.

I don't think you need that at all, going on what you have said
about how you use your PC & what you do with it.

Like Sandra I also get 'No CD in drive' or 'CD Full'.

Make sure that the IMAPI Service is Enabled & Running.

Where do I find this?

pmj...

& another way to get to it is from the Control Panel.
It's in the "Administrative Tools" Section.

jamps, I think you might have a little PopUp Menu on your TaskBar
for the Control Panel?
Did you put that on - it can be quick & handy for getting to all
the various things in the Control Panel & doen't take up much room
on the TaskBar, cos it only Pops Up when yo uClick on it.

jamps...

Yes - that is in place on the Task Bar and I've found the IMAPI thingy.

pmj...

Handy, isn't it?
:-)
Yo ucan Add any number [*1] of extra little "ToolBar" things like that,

jamps...

Bless you - I remember now.
Found and opened it. Don't know what I'm looking for though! ;-)

pmj...

You were looking to see whether or not the Nero Info Tool
recognised whether or not there was a Blank (empty, ReWritable)
CD in the Drive that is the ReWriter Drive.

& also, you were going to have a look in the Event Log Viewer
thingy (in Control Panel>Administrative Tools), to see what the
IMAPI Service had been doing.

Rabbit...

I know wot you are looking for, another night in the bike sheds. You did say
I'm sure we went to places where no man has been before quote>. I mean to say, I've no idea wot you mean :-)

jamps...

Not all night please :-( Can't cope like I used to!

PS it's been a long time since I've had to sort the line too long error and
this is the third time in this thread. I'm just saying that so somebody
knows I do retain some things in my addled brain :-)

jamps...

Join the club - this revision is helping me to make notes of where to find
things.

jamps...

I've done a reply and also have the 'line too long error' so the post wont
go!
I've tried shortening the 'subject' line but it still wont go! :-(

Rabbit...

An excerpt from a post by pmj
To summarise then...
Save the post from your OutBox to My Docs as a .NWS file
Open it in Notepad
Trim the References: header line back, leaving just the last few Message-Id:
bits (complete with the angle brackets & spaces)
Add an extra "pseudo header"...
X-Unsent: 1
Save the file from Notepad
Open it then treat it as any normal message in composition.

pointing to any Folder on your Hard Disk & they just Sit there,
all neat & tidy, tucked out of the way, until you need them, then
you just Click on the Double Chevron Thingy ">>" when you want to
Access any of the stuff in the Folder & it Pops up in a nice Menu

Ali...

Yes, I've got 'My Computer' as a toolbar. With the taskbar always available,
unlike the 'My Computer' icon on the desktop, which is usually obscured by a
window, I can navigate to any file[*] or folder on any of the twelve or more
logical drives (so long as I can remember where it is), whenever I need to
inspect another document, and regardless as to what's already open (except
fullscreen, which takes away the taskbar).
*except files with 'My Documents', which I have as a separate toolbar.

[*1]
& when you Run out of Space (Horizontally) on the TaskBar, you can
actually *increase* the Height of the TaskBar, so it can accomodate
(& show more Buttons & stuff.
You can Make it into a Double (or even triple or more) height TaskBar
& you can have different things on each Row.

It's actually a little bit Fiddly (& not very intuitive) getting
it Set up how you want it, cos the things tend to have a habit of
"jumping around" - When I have been Fiddlin garound with it, I found
that you need to Drag a ToolBar *downwards*(!) to *Increase* the Height
of the TaskBar.

pmj...

Great!
:-)

pmj...

Well, there's actually a fair bit involved in it all, isn't there?
I'm sure that "Practice will make perfect"!
:-)

We can have another go at it, if you want?

jamps...

Is that an invitation? lol

pmj...

Yep!
:-)

I mustn't monopolise your time 'cos there are others queuing for the bike

pmj...

LOL!!!
we should be able to fit everybody in!!!
OK, maybe not all at the same time!
:-)

sheds. :-)

pmj...

Yep!
That's what I thought!
:-)

pmj...

It was my pleasure!
:-)

pmj...

& we survived to tell the tale!
:-)

pmj...

Well, we can do it again, (several times?), can't we, so you will
be able to remember it.

jamps...

Maybe next time I can make notes 'cos my memory isn't what it was! :-(

pmj...

Or you could p'raps Download & Install that "Wink" .SWF
Tutorial/ScreenDump thingy?
:-)

& Record the actual Steps taken, along with Screen Shots?
:-)

I've tried the
Startup type as Manual & Automatic.

pmj...

Manual should be fine.
It should Start itself up when it's needed.
If it doesn't, then something is wrong somewhere.

Service status : stopped

pmj...

Yep.
If it's Set to "Manual" (like it should be - & is by Default),
then it does actuall yStart up (briefly) when teh PC Boots & then
it Exits, cos it doen't need to be Runnin gall the time - only when
it's needed.

There is a Start button that I have also clicked.

pmj...

Yep, that will *force* [*1] it to Start, when it's not Running.
[*1] Assuming that its "Startup Type" hasn't been Changed to "Disabled"
& actually, what happens is that the Service Control Manager thingy
Sends it a "Start" Signal, whether it *does* actually Start or not,
will depend on whether various other thinsg are stopping it from
Starting.

You can look in the "System" bit of the "Event Log" that Boo mentioned,
(that's also in the "Administrative Tools" thingy, in the Control
Panel, or on the Start Menu or TaskBar or where ever you have it)
to see what's been happening.

(but be aware that you'll also find *loads* of other stuff in there!)

Just look for stuff that has a "Source" of "Service Control Manager"
Look for the ones with a "Type" of "Information", (there's *Zillions*
of them! - They're the ones with an Icon of a little Blue"i" on a
White "Speech Bubble") - they tell you when it has "Successfully been
Sent a Start Control" & also when it "has Entered the Running State"

There'll also be lots of "Warning" ones (with an Exclamation Mark "!"
on a Yellow Triangle)
Don't Panic when you see them!
But just have a look & if it's something that really bothers you,
make a note of the "Source" & the "Event Number" & Post back for more
Info (if searching the web doesn't clarify it to your satisfaction)

& even the nasty looking "Error" ones - the ones with a Cross "X"
on a red Circle, may not really be anything to worry about, but
obviously, if it's anything to do with the CD Burner &/or the IMAPI
Service, then it would need checking out.
Note down the "Source" & "Event Number" & then you can find out more
about it.

You can also Filter the View of the Event Log, so as to narrow it all
down, but you need to be careful not to Filter out the very stuff that
is relevant!

Yo ucan Export the Event Log (as either a TAB Separated File, or a CSV
(Comma Separated Value) File, so you can look at it in other things,
such as a SpreadSheet, or Zip it Up & Post it up on your WebSpace
for other people to have a look at to try to Help Pin the probs down.

I think I may need to specify the start parameters that apply when you start
the service from here.

pmj...

Nope.
You don't.
:-)

Yes, there's a Box to Enter any Parameters for any Service which
needs them.
But the IMAPI Service doen't need any Parameters.
:-)

You can also have a Link to it (the Administrative Tools thingy)
on the Start Menu if you want.

In the properties of the Start Menu (RightClick it or the TaskBar
to get them), Press the [Customise...] Button & then Switc to the
"Advanced" Tab.
There's a List of "Start Menu Items:" - Control Panel is there & is
Set to "(/) Display as a Link" by Default, but you can have it Display
as a Menu if you want.

Scroll down a bit & near the Bottom, there's a Section for "System
Administrative Tools" - by Default they aren't Set to show, but you
can choose to have it on the "All Programs" Menu (within the Start Menu)
or on both the "All Programs" Menu & the (top level of the)
Start Menu.

jamps...

Thanks pmj. I'll look into that when I'm not quite so pushed for time!

Tickettyboo...

jamps...

I usually only need 'other things' when I need to be techie by having my
hand held! lol

pmj...

But you *have* got a Drive K: surely?

Your Medion PC has a built-in Card Reader, doesn't it?
& that has 3 (or maybe even 4?) Card Slots, each allocated it's own
Drive Letter (by windoze)...

One for Compact Flash Cards
One for MS (Memory Stick)/SD (Secure Digital)/MMC (MultiMediaCard)
One for SM (Smart Media)/xD Cards

& (possibly) one for Smart Card/SIM Card

& the Icons are generated by the thing called "dit.exe" which is
Set to Run at Boot Up.

I dunno how the Icon for it got on your Desktop though...
Normally it just shows up when Viewing "My Computer".

jamps...

Don't even want to go there!! I've enough pretty icons to look at for the
time being. lol

jamps...

I haven't looked for the Event Log yet. Sounds like something I can have
(?) fun with at a later date when I get bored! :-)

jamps...

Whooww! Thanks Boo!
IMAPI was set to Manual and I've clicked the 'Start' button.
I'm hoping that I will be able to burn CD's now using the W.CD burning
thingy!

Tickettyboo...

I use it now and then, and the main thing I find useful about it is that I
can toddle round my pc and if I come across a folder or file that I want
to save I can just right click it and choose Send to and then choose to
end them to the rewritable cd drive. So, I can do it a bit at a time and
add stuff as I go along and at this stage I don't even need to have a
blank cd in the drive, just put the cd in when I am ready to actually burn
them to disc

When I have told the pc to send the files to the cd burning folder then I
get a pop up balloon thing that tells me I have files waiting to be
written to cd and I can click to see the folder and the list of files I
have said I want to save on cd. If I have changed my mind I can delete
some or all at that stage.

As pmj said, you can't use the windows stuff to burn to dvd..just to cds,
but I just saw a straw floating by and I wonder if its possible to build
up the list of stuff you want saved by using the windows thing..a bit at a
time like I said ^ up there and then use Nero to burn them to a dvd by
pointing Nero to the cd burning folder?
LOL may be a very round about way of doing things and not really any use
to anyone, but I get nosey sometimes. I just tried it without actually
burning to dvd, but when I told Nero that I wanted to burn a data dvd it
let me choose the files I had saved to the CD burning folder.
Which, btw ( on my pc anyway) lives in
[Drive letter]:\Documents and Settings\MyUserName\Local
Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning

So, in theory, it 'should' be ok .
As you know I am just a nosey numpty though, so if I were you I would do
the baby steps and sort out getting it to do it to cds first and wait for
proper informed opinions as to if my dvd theory would do the trick without
sending your poota into cyber heaven :-)

Tickettyboo...

Simple as in I don't have to have yet another prog open, I don't have to
keep saving and resaving a list of stuff as I go along and all I have to
do is right click and forget about it till I am ready to burn the cd

Tickettyboo...

I don't, I just think its way too big and complex to use to do the simple

pmj...

Oooh!!!
Fibber!
:-)

Whenever I have ever mentioned it (in nerly any context), you have
always sid something liek "Oh - Nero - I don't like that, it's too
Complicated"

pmj...

Yep.
I see what you are saying - but my point is that for many *other*
people (jamps included?) Nero Burning Rom is all they have ever used!
It's the only way that they *could* Burn CDs, before WinXP came along.

Tickettyboo...

You lost me pmj..I didn't see you make that point so wasn't replying to

pmj...

Sorry, I may have mentioned that bity elsewhere in the Thread?

it.
Doesn't really matter what people use, if they get done what they set out

pmj...

Nope, it doesn't really does it?
:-)

So long as...

to, then they are usually quite happy.

pmj...

Yep.
But (apparently, from what jamps has been saying?) she *isn't able
(at the moment) to actually do what she set out to do?

It seems that she *tried* to use the built-in windoze XP CD Burning
thingy & (for her) it doesn't seem to work?

I dunno if her Nero Burning Rom works as it should (on that
Machine) though.

I gather that she has used Nero Burning Rom before (on other Machines)
OK.

jamps...

I've used it before on this machine but only with CD's

pmj...

But (hopefully?) you should find that the same basic principles
of the way Nero Burning Rom works (wit hCDs) apply equally well
to when you use it for/with Burning DVDs?

So we don't yet know whether it's a Hardware prob (with the DVD/CD
Burner itself), or a Software/Driver issue or just a Settings prob?

jamps...

I doubt that! More likely me being a difficult pupil! ;-)

pmj...

Not "difficult"!
Just faced wit hvarious stuff taht you don't know about yet!
:-)

But you're finding out about it, aren't you?
:-)

Or just that she doesn't (yet) know how (hasn't found out how) to use
the built-in windoze CD Burning thingy.

jamps...

Got it in one!!

pmj...

Well, now you *do* know about how (have found out how) to use it!
:-)
& it works very well, doesn't it?
:-)

& also, you have found out which of the 2 CD/DVD Drives in your
PC is the *(Re-)Writer* (Burner) & which is just for reading
CDs (& DVDs)!
:-)

Now, the only thing that remains is to find out about Burning
*DVDs* (as well as just CDs) in it!
:-)

So anything *else* - such as the built-in WinXP CD Burning thingy
may well *seem* to them to be something extra & Confuzzling to have
to learn to use.

& the way the WinXP thingy works *is* a bit different from Nero,
so it can take a bit of getting used to - but yes, it really *is*
very easy, when you find out about it.

stuff.

Rabbit...

Which is exactly the point which started this whole thread :-) Why use
several clicks when XP can do it with two.

jamps...

I only want to do things that are &*really* simple. No techie stuff for me
thank you!!

jamps...

I hadn't realised there was another way until the recent posts!

David C...

Thanks peeps for all the above info!
I've tried this out & now have a CD full pf pix.

Most useful, thanks again, David C.

& go to the Properties of the CD Drive...
RightClick the Drive in Explorer>Properties
Switch to the Recording Tab
& make sure there's a Tick in the Box
DesktopCD Recording ---
[/] Enable CD Recording on this Drive

jamps...

Yes - that was ticked.

jamps...

A baloon tells me that I have files waiting to be written to the CD/

jamps...

I see the files waiting.

jamps...

Nothing! I put a blank CD into the drive and that was it.
Didn't get a Menu>File etc.

jamps...

No Wizard started.

jamps...

Jamps.

jamps...

<>

pmj...

Yep - It's the "references: " line (in the Headers) that is too long
& needs to be trimmed back.
But you need to be careful not to alter the Format of the Line,
or introduce extra LineBreaks

Many thanks Anita - got it and hopefully the post has now been sent!

pmj...

I'm not sure if it has actually gone (or arrived) yet?
Was it in this Thread?
Or one of the others?

Another first for me - printed those instructions out for future reference.

pmj...

Yep, once you've sussed out how to sort the prob out, it's quite easy.
It's only caused by the fact that OutLook Express (un like some other
Newsreaders) doesn't Trim the "References: " Header line Automatically
& neither does it spread the Long Line over several Lines, with a Space
at the beginning of each "Continuation" Line (which is an alternative
way of handling the prob)

Anita Carter...

You are welcome, Jamps - I have printed out all the tips I have found in
here and pc news and am in the process of cataloguing them. Makes
interesting reading at times:)

Yes - mine is ticked.

& make sure that there's enough room on the Drive that is Selected
for the "Image" File that it needs to make.

Loads of free space.

With windoze built-in CD Burning thingy, you can only use Drag & Drop
with CDs (& not DVDs)

Oh that's a bummer! I wanted to use DVD-RW 'cos of the space.

But you can use Nero Burning Rom to Create a CD/DVD using Drag & Drop.

Yes I can.

That's all for now as I'm doing it bit by bit! lol