Storage of photos on CD-R

[jayemcee]

I received very helpful advice a couple of days ago, from markysngc, Buenchico and Postdog.
Today I have tried to follow the guidance from the link given for Burning Becomes Routine in Windows XP.
However.......
When I insert a CD-R absolutely nothing happens.
Looking at 'my computer' (without a disk in) shows...
DVD-RW Drive (D)
CD Drive (E)
When I insert a CD "CD-R pops up against the D Drive???
If I double click the E Drive (for CDs) I get the message "please insert a CD into drive E" even though there is a CD inserted.
It looks as though my D and E drives don't know what they are supposed to be doing.
If all of this is down to operator error, then I can only apologise for my lack of knowledge.
Can I correct this situation?

[rojash]

Quite clearly the D drive is the one that you have put your CD-R into. This is why the description changes to "CD-R". Naturally this means that there is nothing in your E drive, and hence the message. A DVD-RW drive is quite capable of reading and writing CDs. It also looks as though your E drive is a CD ROM drive - i.e., it can read CDs but it can't write them.

[jayemcee]

This might be a stupid reply, but I only have one 'tray' to put a CD in, how do I have 2 drives?
The guide on "CD burning is routine in Windows XP" says
"When you first insert a blank CD into your CD recorder drive, Windows XP opens a dialogue box asking if you want to open a writable folder........"
It doesn't.
I can put my photos on to disc from Picasa 2, it seems(?) that I should also be able to do it straight from 'My Pictures'

[Giggsie]

easy to do from my pictures just highlight your selected photos. Then down left hand side click on (copy to cd)

[Ethel]

Are you using the right type of blank cd for your cd writer?

[ACtheTROLL]

Isn't it easier to use something like one of these
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
http://www.deepburner.com/?r=download
(both free!!)

rather than trying to convince XP to do something it does badly at the best of times?

I still cant burn CDs directly in XP... never have ... probably never will .... I've used everything from nero to the two above ... and never even considered that it might be difficult until I read the xp how to

[Ethel]

Ac - can't believe you have bother burning in XP. You must try harder!

It's always been a doddle for me.

[bravejordy]

Same here, I too have never had any problems burning to disc in XP. I can't understand why your computer is showing up as having two drives though. How long has it been doing this for?

[ACtheTROLL]

jay

have you got (or had) any other music or video authoring software installed???

(I use ultra ISO ... which as a byproduct installs a virtual CD player - in my case "CD drive G").
... or perhaps an old external drive

That would account for a drive that isn't there

A little XP/Vista trick I do know about ;0

right click on D drive ...you should see EJECT click ... the tray of your drive should open
(it even works on my lappy)

if that works .... try it on your E drive ... see if the side drops off!

_____________________________________________
Ethel ... I'm just lazy ... I got nero with my first cd burner (98 - 4x - �190!!!!) and never looked back ... never needed to ... I had hunderds of useless half done CDs to use as rear view mirrors ;(

[ACtheTROLL]

By any chance do you drink coffee?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eAaNI6bfI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v7eAaNI6bfI8

coffee

[jayemcee]

Thank you all for your input. I have already tried highlighting and clicking on "copy to CD". All I get is a small box in the top left hand saying
Copy here
Move here
Create short cuts....... when I have used this I cant close down as the computer says I have a programme open, but on checking, it says nothing is running!!!!
Right clicking and clicking "eject" shows that it is the D drive for CDs.
But, hey, I can still burn a CD from Picasa even if I cant do it from My pictures.
Guess I shall have to live with my ignorance for the time being. But, nevertheless, thank you all for your suggestions.
By the way, I hate coffee, but enjoyed all the office antics on youtube, thanks for that.