Originally posted by sysyphus:

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I recently bought a new Dell, Windows XP by request, to replace one that was several years old, also XP. I share a lot of data with my cousin, and I had never before had a problem with his computer reading my discs (he also has a Dell, Windows XP). I burned a couple of discs for him, and after discovering his computer wouldn't recognize any data on the discs, I also found out my old computer wouldn't recognize them, either. They would read on my husband's new computer, though, and he is using Vista. One disc was a homemade DVD, and the standalones would read it, just the older computers wouldn't. I thought it was a burner compatibility issue.

I do a lot of disc burning, so I decided to hook my old computer back up, but since I got a new flat panel (analog) monitor, I left that in place instead of bringing the old clunky monitor back to the desk. Now the discs read!

To recap, the discs were made in the new computer with the new monitor. The discs would play in standalones but not in the older computers. Now the disc will play in the old computer hooked up to the new monitor. Odd!

There is no other answer I know of except to say it must be the monitor?? I honestly don't see how a monitor could cause a disc not to read, doesn't make any sense at all, but it's the only thing that makes a difference. Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

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