Our old computers had Windows ME. I know it had its problems, but was good enough for us here at work. I especially liked that I could format a CD-RW and write files there just like any other drive on the system. I could take the CD out and take it anywhere I wanted.

Windowx XP says that the "old" version of Roxio is no longer supported which means I can't simply save files to the CD-RW drive.

So, is there a work around?

Thanks.

I think that the newer versions of Roxio have a "Direct CD" feature which allows you to do this.

I never use it though.... those little USB memory sticks are so much more convenient.

you can write to those disks just using the XP operating system. that capability is actually built in now. just drag and drop stuff. you'll have an explorer window that identifies files to be written to the cd. right click anywhere in that area and choose to write the files to the cd. it becomes pretty intuitive once you actually try to drag and drop the files on the cd.

Answer is a buy a new version of Roxio? LOL

Seriously... well actually a new version would be the answer... It seems to me though when I first went from ME to XP I had the same problem and I think (don't hold me to this) that there was a patch or workaround listed on Roxio's web site.

The more I think about this, the more I think I'm wrong. There was no patch or workaround.

drag-and-drop still works. I want to use the CD-RW like a disk drive. That way I can work on things here (work) and home, and on the road without having to remember where I saved the file last and whether I copied it to the disk before I left.

now, i could be wrong about this, but i thought the roxio back-end was incorporated in the XP operating system. XP will write disks by itself. you don't need cd burning software. i think i was told somewhere that they achieve this by using roxio, but the user never actually sees this.

I think Andy had the right answer for you..

The USB memory sticks (or whatever their called) would be the way to. I know they have dropped a lot in price. Of course this is assuming that one of the computers isin't so old that it dosen't have a usb port.

Have you looked at Roxios web site? Maybe an answer there.

i see what you mean now. i don't think i completely understand the difference, but i see now that you do understand the difference. i'm afraid i can't help here. sorry.

According to this, it's part of XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/bridgman_august13.mspx 

"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."

The computers are new. That's the problem. They came with WinXP already loaded. GRRRRRRR.

The Roxio website isn't any help. They want to sell me something I used to have for free. GRRRRRRR!

Memory sticks are really cool. My bride has one for her work. They have the same problem as using drag-and-drop to a CD-RW, namely that I have to save the file to my main disk (c:) first, then copy or move it to the device. Then I have to save it again on the new computer and move it again. GRRRRR!

Camper 2 things...

What is it Roxio wants to sell you?

and

I know when I use a memory stick I write directly to it like a drive.

That is when I insert my stick into the computer it gets assigned it's own drive letter then I just treat it like a another drive.

That's what you want to do. Right?

Roxio wants to sell me the "new and improved" version of DirectCD.

Maybe I misread how the memory stick works. Maybe it is a better alternative than CD-RW.

thumb drives are like a godsend. they are so easy to use. Roxio sucks ass as a program. I hate the fact that when you install Roxio, theirdirect cd thingy takes over your system and causes more problems. At least this is the case I have seen many, many times

my computer came with XP and all I do is drag and drop the files, it will burn for you. you don't need to use another program.

but if you are going to use another program, I suggest NERO, it is better than Roxio

I bought my mom a Victorinox Swiss Army USB drive......knife, scissors, LED flashlight, & 256MB of memory. It is small enough for a keychain, and cuts cigars nicely too.

Yes....it is a better alternative to a CDRW because it is durable and smaller.

Hey Camper, shoot me an email. I think I can help you.

boofa75 at aol dot com

In the subject, just put the name of this forum so I won't delete it.

I got my 1Gb thumb drive from buy.com. It was pretty inexpensive.

email sent