When you create data CD's with Direct CD, DLA, Windows "drag and drop", they are all UDF.  UDF tends to be finnicky on playback and usually you have to have the same software on the PC that you want to read the data from the CD.  e.g. if you recorded it with Roxio's Direct CD, and didn't finalize the CD so it can be read in any CD-ROM then the other person must also have Direct CD.

Also, if you are using RW media, it can be even touchier and never have your "only copy" of data on an RW disc as they are known to lose data or even lose format.

A better method of burning a CD, especially to use on another PC is to use a CD-R and create a "data" CD.  If you use Roxio, then it's "Data CD Project".  Nero has a similar function and Sonic should too. 

Finally, many programs (and Windows XP) will not open a data file on a burned CD.  But, if you copy the data to a folder on the hard drive you will then be able to open it (just as many programs will not save to a CD, you have to save it to the hard drive and then create the CD from the file on the hard drive).

Which Roxio product are you going to use instead of Sonic?  Easy CD Creator 5 or Easy CD & DVD Creator 6?

Does Creator 6 handle drag-n-drop to DVD RW media like the Sonic DLA software?

Stan P.

Excellent advice!  I will be over there tomorrow to help her out.  Thanks again.  I had a feeling it was the compatibility of the software.

Also, if you put the CD in the drive, go to Windows Explorer, right click on the drive there should be an option to make the CD "Compatible" - meaning it can be then be read in most CD/DVD players.  I've used this successfully to take my data CD's on the road.  Having said that I'm about to dump Sonic and go to back to Roxio - too many flaky issues with Sonic.

Hope this helps. 

Sorry for the cut, but the problem is strictly a change in Intuit software and you can chase your tail till you are blue in the face. No packet writing software can fix it!

Read about from the source Here.

EZ CD Creator 6 - because that's what came with the DVD burner - and I've used it before.  Don't know if you can drag and drop - I'd try looking on the Roxio website.  I've heard a lot of bad things about packet writing and although I've not experienced them firsthand, so many people say the same thing I guess they're right.  However, the backup utility (Second Copy) I use needs it.