That is, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know if this is a hardware or software problem, but the burner copies files okay. The CD drive is a Samsung (sold by Dell), and less than two months old. Sometimes the drive can read regular (software, etc.) and finalized CD's, and sometimes it can't read them (in which case I have to reboot). (The one thing I haven't done is check on Samsung's website to see if they have an updated driver.) Any feedback is appreciated.

It's a long shot - but, check the Auto Insert Notification status from the System applet (in control panel). Make sure it's checked in the CD ROM properties.

I actually found that item. Yes, Auto Insert Notification is checked. So is DMA, on the same line.

DMA can sometimes cause problems but mostly with old stuff try uncheking "DMA" and "Sync data transfer" its worht a shot, eh?

I'll try one at a time. I unchecked DMA, and will have to test it. What is Sync data transfer? And what is Disconnect, which is checked? Thanks.

Here's what happened, which was happening before. I unchecked just the DMA. (I want to know what "Sync data transfer" is before I uncheck that. I put in a commercial CD of clipart. It read it okay. I then looked at a couple of CD-RW's, and copied a few files to a couple of CD-R's with Direct CD. Then I re-inserted the clipart CD, and the drive couldn't read it. I'm wondering if the Direct CD software is causing the problem. (I have new software on order.)