Strange problem - zero length files *only* after copying to DVD

[GregSchmidt]

Hello,

I'm attempting to backup some data files to a DVD-R, but whenever I do, the files (mixed type, jpeg, pdf, html, etc..) end up with a length of zero (0). I can view these files just fine on my hard drive. I can copy them to another hard drive just fine, but as soon as I burn to DVD, they go to a size of 0. This even occurs if I copy the files to another drive first. Note some of these files were once recovered via chkdsk, so it seems to be something in the files itself. Also, I've tried different media, different drives, and different computers to no avail so again, it seems to be related to the file itself.

Is there something special about burning files to DVD vs. other forms of copy? Anybody seen something similiar? Any ideas?

Thanks.
-- greg

[Ai Haibara]

What burner, burning software and disc media are you using?

Have you tried a different DVD burner? (It could be a problem with the drive hardware, itself.)

[GregSchmidt]

Hi,

I've tried it on 3 different computers, 4 different drives and 3 different versions of Roxio and 3 different brands of media, that's why I believe the problem is the file itself, not the software or hardware.

[GregSchmidt]

*Update*

Well I installed Nero and tried that. It worked fine! I don't understand why 3 different versions of Roxio couldn't handle the burn and all seemed to have problems with the same files. I've never had problems before with Roxio after years of use so I'm baffled. Is Roxio that unreliable?

[Ai Haibara]

Roxio's held in rather low regard on this forum. Personally, I haven't tried their software (I did have a few versions of Easy CD Creator, but that was while Adaptec was still maintaining it, I believe).

You might want to try Imgburn, as well.

[GregSchmidt]

Roxio happily allows me to make coasters with no indication of a problem. I'll be using Nero from now on as it seems more reliable and has a readback verify function. I'll check out Imgburn too, thanks for the pointer.

[GregSchmidt]

New discovery: If I change the format from UDF to Joliet, it seems to work fine. Also tried "UDF No Bridge" and that didn't work either. Seems odd, since my understanding is that UDF is generally considered a preferred format.

Using Roxio 6.1.1.7 (but see similiar problems with other versions as well)

[jman98]

GregSchmidt - Bottom line - friends don't let friends use Roxio. It's always been that way.

If you have a version of Windows less than Vista you may need to install UDFReader. It's free. I don't like Roxio at all, but it could be that Roxio is defaulting to a version of UDF that your Windows doesn't have drivers for. For example XP can't see UDF version 2.5 discs until you install a program like this.