Computer not Recognizing that the DVD-RW drive can record

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My DVD-RW is acting strange. It can play CDs and DVDs and rip music from
albums onto my computer. However, if I want to copy pictures onto a disk, or
make a DVD movie of my own, my computer does not recognize that I have a
burner. I've been able to copy onto disks before, so I'm not sure when this
error began. I've tried so many things like uninstalling it and even
changing the registry, however, my computer still does not recognize my drive
is capable of burning. Is there a problem with my drive (its a new computer,
I bought it in September) and should I use my warranty to get a new one? Or
is this a problem that can be fixed? Thanks for your help!
 
What software are/did you use to copy disks? XP can only write to
CD-Rs natively and can not write to DVDs nor copy disks.
 
Don't have an answer, but have the exact same problem. Bought my computer
from Circuit City in September. Model A105-S4004. Reads cd and dvd, but will
not recognize that it is a recorder also. Have tried XP, Sonic, and Roxio
software. Maybe something wrong with hardware batch?
 
My problem is similar to what Andrew describes. A new Acer computer with
DVD-RW drive Model "HL-DT-ST DVD-RW_GSA-H11N". Software is either Nero or
"NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7".

Most of the time, the drive does not even recognize the presence of a disk
when using Windows Explorer (prompt: Inser disk into Drive)

When trying to write using NTI, the process begins but the disk is not
readable at the end.

My blank DVD disks are compatible up to 16x, but NTI will not write reliably
even at the lowest speed (4x)

If XP (Home SP2) "can not write to DVD nor copy disks" what's the point of
buying a machine with these drives installed?

If anyone is willing to help sor tthis out, I'll be glad to provide more
detailed info.

TIA
Jurgen
 
XP can not "natively" write to DVDs or copy disk because XP came out
before DVD writers became popular. If Microsoft update XP to write
DVDs or copy disk, most of the other DVD writing software companies
would complain.

You can try another writing program. CDBurner XP pro has been
recommended before (http://www.cdburnerxp.se/)
 
Thank you for the quick reply and the link.

I have since noticed that the idle drive registers in Windows Explorer
correctly as "DVD-RW Drive (E:). But as soon as I insert a disk CD or DVD,
the display changes to "CD-ROM Drive (E:). This happens with new, blank disks
as well as with disks that have been recorded previously on other machines.

Would that not indicate that I'm dealing with a OS/Hardware/Driver problem
rather than a software problem?

The program I'm using is NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7,
http://www.nticdmaker.com/main_cdmaker.htm .
It came bundled with the new computer and offers a complete set of DVD (and
CD) recording options.

I'm posting a typical error log at the very bottom of this message for your
reference.

TIA for any help you can provide.
Jurgen



smlunatick said:
XP can not "natively" write to DVDs or copy disk because XP came out
before DVD writers became popular. If Microsoft update XP to write
DVDs or copy disk, most of the other DVD writing software companies
would complain.

You can try another writing program. CDBurner XP pro has been
recommended before (http://www.cdburnerxp.se/)
Click to expand...

--------- error log --------
NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7.0.0.39 (SKU-22510238888)
Start Time: Wednesday, December 27, 2006, 11:55:29PM

Processor Architecture: INTEL
Processor Type: INTEL PENTIUM
Processor Level: 15
Microsoft Windows XP version 5.1 Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Memory in use: 67%
Total physical memory: 458 MB
Total free physical memory: 149 MB
Total paging file: 1080 MB
Total free paging file: 655 MB
Total virtual memory: 2097 MB
Total free virtual memory: 1982 MB

CD Layout: Data DVD
Disc Format: DVD-ROM
File System: Joliet
Bootable CD: No
Total Data Blocks: 224437

CD-Recorder: HL-DT-ST DVD-RW_GSA-H11N (E:)
Firmware Version: JH02
Disc Media: DVD-R
Free Disc Blocks: 2298496
Test: No
Write Speed: 4x
Write Method: Track-At-Once
Close Disc: No
Leave Session Open: No

Error Code: 1004
CDB: 2A 00 00 01 40 E0 00 00 20 00 00 00
SenseKey:04 ASC:08 ASCQ:03
 
The software I was using was Nero and I was able to burn to DVD-Rs and CD-RWs
very well. But for some strange reason, one day when I went back to burn
something to a CD, my computer wouldn't recognize that my drive was capable
of even burning. I even went into Windows Media to see if I could burn an
audio CD and it told me to connect a burner before I could begin. I've
gotten to the point where I can't even copy things to a CD. This includes
files, pictures, or music. Is something wrong with my drive?

Thanks!
 
Pretty much the same story here, Andrew.

When I first set up the computer (abt. 3 months ago), I was able to make
backup copies of XP, which had been pre-installed on the machine, onto 4 or 5
CD-RW disks (can't remember how many for sure). That worked just fine.

Since then I've had no need to use the drive until a few nights ago. Now I'm
basically getting what you describe.

I really wonder if something ate the driver or damaged the OS (XP-Home). Not
sure how to check/restore either of them.

Cheers,
Jurgen
 
Exactly! I do think we are experiencing the same problem. I've tried so many
things (including going into Windows registry) but all my attempts have
failed. I'm not really sure what else we can do. I was thinking about
writing Dell, the manufacturer of my computer, to see what they would
suggest. Maybe I just got a bad driver.
 
The maker of my DVD-R/RW drive is Hitachi, not a bad name generally.
I'll have to check if they offer a driver on their site.

I'll let you know if I find a solution.

Cheers,
Jurgen
 
There is no Official support from Microsoft through these groups, only help from other users. Have
you checked the manufacturers site to see if you have the latest firmware for the drive. Many times
there are updates that are needed for DVD drives as they add support for more stuff. I think my
burner has had 4 or so firmware updates for one thing or another.
 
Thanks for your reply, Dave.

I don't want 'new' stuff. All I want is for the basic 'old' stuff to work
again.

I want to be able to
- read a CD-ROM (ok)
- write to a CD-RW (can't any more)
- read a DVD (can't any more)
- write to a DVD-RW (never could)

When I first set up this system, I was able to burn backup copies of the OS
on CD-RW disks.

Now even that does not work any more and I haven't installed anything new.

However, there have been any number of automatic updates to the OS (daily
check). I strongly suspect that one of them screwed things up.

As to Mitsubishi firmware for a "HL-DT-ST dvd-RW_GSA-H11N" drive - no luck
finding such an animal so far. And if I should find it, I would hope it comes
as a Windows executable and not as a DOS prog. My computer came without a
floppy drive A:. Progress, I guess, like XP ;-(

Jurgen
 
Hi All,
I feel your pain. Bought a new Gateway in August and have never been able to
write to the drive (Phillips). Called Gateway and that was useless(wanted to
sell me a new one). Took one out of my old computer, which worked fine in the
other computer but not in the new one. Purchased a new writer (sony this
time) and had the same thing happen. The drive reads disk just fine but will
not recognize a blank disk of anytype. Have tried every brand I can think of
and have searched the web for two months. Recently even upgraded to Vista
hopeing this would help but it did not. Sure hope someone finds a solution to
this.
 
Thanks for your response, David.

Actually I did check for driver and/or firmware updates for my Mitsubishi
drive. Mitsubishi does not seem to offer any such thing on their website and
Windows update tells me that all drivers are current. By the way, the drive
has been using a microsoft supplied (XP) driver.

Another thought...
Since some people appear to be able to use their DVD-r/RW drives as
intended, could it be that the problem we're facing has something to do with
the CPU installed (Intel vs. AMD) ?

My machine is running on an AMD Sempron 3300+ processor.

Smile, even if it hurts.. :-)

Jurgen
 
Add me to the list of complainers. I have a Phillips DVD-RW, which, for the
past year and a half, has burned data AND movies. I had a few glitches in
operation close to when I first got the system (a Dell Dimension 8400), but
changing from -R to +R disks seemed to help...and I might have done the whole
firmware update thing.
But NOW it's having problems again: NOW the damn tray ejects and closes
very sluggishly, and sometimes not at all. AND, of course, when I try to
burn a movie, it doesn't recognize that I do indeed have a blank disk in the
tray.
 
Sluggishness would tend to indicate the drive is failing.

If you hate computers, what good would buying an Intel computer with the
Apple operating system accomplish?



Add me to the list of complainers. I have a Phillips DVD-RW, which, for
the
past year and a half, has burned data AND movies. I had a few glitches in
operation close to when I first got the system (a Dell Dimension 8400), but
changing from -R to +R disks seemed to help...and I might have done the
whole
firmware update thing.
But NOW it's having problems again: NOW the damn tray ejects and closes
very sluggishly, and sometimes not at all. AND, of course, when I try to
burn a movie, it doesn't recognize that I do indeed have a blank disk in
the
tray.
 
Ok folks,

I've got egg on my face !

Here is what happened:

One of the friendly, unofficial Ms CNE, CNA, MCP, A+, N+
folks with a lot of titles after his name did provide the answer. I
followed his suggestion and got things to work.
Now here comes the embarassing part. I can't find his post to thank him and
to comment n what worked and what didn't.

He suggested I look at a certain site. When I went there, I found two
programs for download.
One of them didn't do anything for me, and the other, smaller one switched
something in the registry. The interface isn't very clear, so I just poked
around.

In the end, my DVD drive came to life and it's worked since.

Now I can't even find the program - or the URL - any more. So all this
message can do is apologize to whoever is reading and perhaps to confirm that
it is indeed a switch in the XP registry that needs to be changed.

If I find the name of the program or the original helping post, I'll be back.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, whoever you are!

Jurgen
 
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