DVD Drive Problem

[David Brent]

Calling all computer experts on the forum. Please can you help me solve this problem.



Quite a few times in the past I have used Sonic on my computer to record exact copies of home made DVD's. I have not had any problems doing so until this week.



When trying to record an exact copy on Sonic I received the message - There is not enough space on any of your local drives to make a temporary image.



Checking the NEC DVD/CD-RW drive properties I found the graph showing no available space but the storage reading showing - Used Space 0 bytes, Free Space 0 bytes and Capacity 0 bytes. I cannot explain that reading.



As advised I emptied the recycle bin, ran disk cleanup and even uninstalled a couple of no longer required programs to try and free up some space. Yet the storage space on the drive is still showing full.



I have had no other problems with downloading music ect.. on my computer.



Has anyone struck this problem before? I would be grateful for any advice on how to correct it.



Cheers



Dave.

[Chris B]

Hi David

when empty the DVD/CD drives properties will show the information you have given in your post unless you have a disc with information on of some decription in the drawer. The Hard drive that stores all your programmes, folders, and information is the Hard Drive, usually drive C. go to my computer and left click, when that opens highlight drive C and right click, then properties and this will tell you what used and free space you have available on the hard drive. Bearing in mind that dvd uses a large chunk of memory roughly calculate what the value of the dvd you are trying to record or store and check against the free space available, if there is insufficient the options are either delete any un-used items that you don't need off the hard drive or treat yourself to a external hard drive that you can plug into one of your USB ports and keep it soley for storing your dvd / cd material, this will give you more flexibility and will not clog up the main hard drive in your computer.

Hope this helps.

Regards Chris B

[HIPPIEDAVE]

Only ever had not enough space dialogue when my hard drive has been nearly full, so I put stuff onto my Large USB Hub. I tend to delete stuff off laptops that I will never need, as Mr B says treat yourself to a external hard drive, they are much cheaper tha they used to be and some are huge.

[David Brent]

Cheers guys.



I really appreciate your replies.



Many thanks



Dave.

[Arthur Linden-Jones]

Originals not recorded on dual layer DVDs by any chance?

[David Brent]

name='Arthur Linden-Jones']Originals not recorded on dual layer DVDs by any chance?

Hi Arthur,



No they were not.



Cheers



Dave.

[autolycus]

Hi - i hesitate to ask as it seems so obvious - and i'm probably missing something - but why use an app to make an exact copy of a homemade dvd? I ask because if you just try to copy the dvd onto your hard drive(s), you'll soon see if there is enough space on your PC. If successful, you could then just burn the files to a new dvd for an exact copy.



Or use My Computer as ChrisB says to see how much room you have. You'll need a maximum of about 4.3 GB disk space (not memory) depending on how much there is on the single layer DVD. As you've been copying homemade DVDs i guess it's possible the problem hasn't arisen before because the DVDs might have contained well below their maximum capacity. But a modern PC should be able to "swallow" 4.3 GB quite easily.



Incidentally, removing a programme or two is unlikely to free up a lot of disk space especially when copying media files. A new external (as suggested) or internal (cheaper) disk might be the answer.



Hope this helps, but like i said i may have misunderstood the problem. (I'm not familiar with Sonic).