Can new DVD Burners read old data CD's???

[mjs90201]

The DVD-Burner in my new HP Pavilion Media Center computer cannot read the data CD's (mp3 & video files) that I burned on my old Dell (Windows ME) system; I get the error message: "The disk structure is corrupted and unreadable." In addition, the new DVD burner that I put in my old Dell cannot read the CDs. However, my old Dell DVD-ROM drive and my stand-alone DVD player have no problem reading the CDs. What is going on here? Has there been some change in DVD drive technology that has rendered my data CD's obsolete? Is there software that will enable new DVD-Burners to read old data CD's?

If I upgrade my Dell computer's operating system to XP, will my old DVD-ROM drive no longer be able to read my data CDs?

 

[mcurphy]

I can verify that my new NEC burner was able to read some 5 year old data CD's that I had burned some pictures and other docs to.

So I don't think anything has changed, but I really couldn't begin to tell you why you are having this issue.

 

[corkyg]

Generally, yes. But, I have found some old data CDs that can't be read by anything. They had been stored in less than ideal conditions with too much heat and humidity. CDRs are not permanent, and storage conditions, as well as quality of media, and presence of a glue-on label can all affect long term readability.

 

[oynaz]

Sounds like your DVD-burner is defective. Have you asked HP?

 

[mjs90201]

The data CD's are only a couple weeks old. I called them "old" because I burned them on my old computer using old software.

I did speak with HP support. The woman said that Windows XP can burn CD's using either "packet writing" or "session writing" methods, but can only read CD's that were burned with one of those methods (she did not know which one); my old CD's must have been burned using this method that XP cannot read. I found it difficult to believe that Windows XP can burn CD's using a method that it is incapable of reading. This theory also does not explain why my other new DVD burner that I connected to my Dell Windows ME computer is also incapable of reading the CD's. [Though I do have reason to believe that the new DVD Burner that I connected to my Dell is defective. My DVD burner in my new HP seems to be working fine except for this one issue.]

 

[DaveSimmons]

Packet writing needs addiitonal software loaded to be able to read it. You probably installed this software on the old computer but not on the new one.

 

[lobbyone]

I have an old data CD from 9 years ago, and it works with my NEC 3550A drive. Damn blank CDs back then were a woot! not to mention the burners lol

 

[corkyg]

Packet writing leaves the disks "open" and they can often only be read and again written to by the originating drive. In order for disks to be "universally" read, they should be "closed."