Sony Vaio DVD Writer

Hi everyone

I have XP Pro SP2 and two Sony Vaio laptops. There is "Drag'n Drop" CD and DVD writing software which comes with the laptops. I've managed to backup some of my important files to a DVD+RW and, when I examine the DVD on the other Sony Vaio, it reads it correctly, so I know that the backup has occurred. However, when I try to read the DVD with other PCs (non-Sony Vaio), the DVD isn't even recognised as being present, let alone not being able to read any files.

Does anyone have any idea why the PCs won't recognise a DVD as being present? I know that the PC's DVDs are working because I've played DVD films on the PCs and have used the units to load software from CDs. Is it something to do with the format of the disc that I used? Should I have used a DVD-RW or does the + and - merely refer to only the writing phase, rather than reading (i.e. should all DVD readers be able to read from + and -?).

I know that there are several DVD formats and I used the default settings within the Drag'n Drop software. Do any other members have access to a Sony Vaio? What are others' experiences of this software?

Thanks for your time.

A DVD+RW won't read on another drive that isn't a DVD writer. Rewritable disks generally won't be recognized in non-writer drives.

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Ah - thank you. So, if I used a DVD+R, I should be able to read it with the other DVD reader? Am I correct in thinking that the + and - relate to the writing, rather than the reading, phase? I realise that I could ony use a DVD+R until it was full and then discard it. It's not ideal for backups, is it?

No, the + - relate to reading and to writing. Some drives can read +R's, and not -R's, and others work the other way.
However if you burn a + or - R disk, it should be read in most modern DVD players.

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Thank you for the explanation. I just hope that the technology and software improve quickly to make + and - unnecessary and therefore allow any disk to be read by any player.

It's not that we don't have the technology, it's that companies don't want to share.

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A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. ~Bruce Lee

OK, I see - I suppose it's down to them protecting their own interests!

You learn quick.

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A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. ~Bruce Lee