PSE 8 - How do I fix the error message: An error has occurred reading files or writing to disk...?

Question

Hello
I am using Photoshop Elements 8 on Windows 7 (64 bit). I have all my photos stored on an external hard drive connected by usb. The photos were transferred onto the HDD from a Windows XP machine. I bought a new computer  so I installed Photoshop 8 and imported all my photos to the organiser from the HDD. I have also taken some photos yesterday which I have uploaded to the HDD.
Now, when I want to delete a photo I check the box to say I want it to be deleted on the hard disk and I get the error message: 'An error has occured while reading files or writing files to disc. The disc may be full or there may bea problem with the source media.' This does not happen with the photos I uploaded yesterday, only the ones which were put onto the HDD from the XP machine.
Please could someone help? I have tried the File>Catalog> repair and optimise functions. I have reinstalled the software. It still does the same.
Thank you in advance
Dave

Answer 1

David GW wrote:
The error message goes on to say, Please check your device settings or consult your device documentation regarding resolving writing errors. Which device do you think they are referring to?
Sorry, but I would have thought that this was rather obvious! The only device capable of being written to under these circumstances is your CD drive; after all, it's a CD you are trying to create...
You have two potential major causes of problems here. The most common cause of these difficulties is the disks themselves - you only need a batch with poor reflectivity to cause all sorts of read errors, so that's the first thing to try - using a different brand of disk to write to. The second thing you have to realise is that CD writers have a finite life - the lasers in them simply don't last for ever, and towards the end of their lives the power behaviour tends to be a bit erratic, and it tends to fall off somewhat - which causes the same sorts of errors, simply because the dye doesn't get evaporated efficiently. This causes mis-formed pits, hence the read errors. The only solution here is to install a new drive.
When it comes to reading, commercial CDs have a much higher reflectivity than ones you write yourself, so often these will play whilst your own will fail - a common cause of confusion, this. But it's worth checking; if you get failures to reproduce all of the tracks from a commercial pressed CD, then almost certainly your drive is failing.