System Crashes When Inserting Blank CD

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Guest

Every time I insert a formatted blank CD for purposes of copying data files,
the system freezes. I click on start-->my computer and the dialog box freezes
with just an hourglass. Nothing is operable and I have to press the power
button to shut down. This is a new Dell Dimension 3000 with XP Home. Thanks.
 
Ed said:
Every time I insert a formatted blank CD for purposes of copying data
files, the system freezes. I click on start-->my computer and the
dialog box freezes with just an hourglass. Nothing is operable and I
have to press the power button to shut down. This is a new Dell
Dimension 3000 with XP Home. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If the computer is new then I suggest contacting Dell. The system should
work "out of the box" and if it doesn't then you should speak to them to
eliminate a mistake they made with the setup of the system or some kind of
hardware problem.


--
 
Sounds like good advice but Dell, and I assume other makers, won't support
software without a fee. Since the CD drive works for other purposes, I
assume this is going to be a software issue.
 
Ed said:
Sounds like good advice but Dell, and I assume other makers, won't
support software without a fee. Since the CD drive works for other
purposes, I assume this is going to be a software issue.
Click to expand...

I would assume nothing. I've seen more than one CD recorder with a hardware
fault that manifested itself in this way.

And if this is an OEM software issue - that is software that was supplied
with the system as part of the OS, then afaik they'll support that as part
of your warranty. I don't blame them for charging for additional support on
software they *didn't* supply, though, if thats what you're talking about.
 
I would agree with Robert, however there is also another factor here -
Packet Writing to CD-RW's - a notorious issue <g>

Presumably Ed S was able to format the CD-RW without any problem?

Does the same thing happen with a different CD-RW manufacturer?

If the CD drive otherwise works quite 'normally', then before you challenge
Dell, it might be prudent to try a different manufacture/supplier of CD-RW's
to confirm that it happens with other manufacturer's media.

For some interesting 'bedtime reading', try Andy McFadden's "CD Recordable
FAQ" - http://www.cdrfaq.org/ Esp.sections 6.3 and 7.4

Mart
 
Robert,
Sounds good, but Dell has told me on more than one occasion that they
don't support any software, even OEM, without a fee (except tech "chat" is
free). They told me once there is a 21 day period of free software support
but I was unable to get it and was told that program was discontinued "a long
time ago." I'm not sure what they mean by "award winning support." Long
delays in getting to a human.
HOWEVER, I called Sonic, fearing the worst, but a tech answered almost
immediately and solved my problem. I was selecting the format option when
inserting a new CD and was told not to do that. Just select files to burn
onto the CD--and it worked. A simple fix, but I couldn't find any
documentation that gave those instructions.
 
Mart,
Your comment about Packet Writing brings up another issue. My Dell came
with Streets & Trips pre-installed but I must insert the run CD every time I
want to use the program. I am unable to do a full install and was told in a
Dell tech chat session something about packet writing preventing a full
install. Can you shed any light on that? I am planning to buy the retail
version and see if that works. Thanks to you and Robert for your responses.
 
Ed, I can't help you with the Streets & Trips issue.

My response was in connection with your previous comment regarding a
"formatted blank CD" which I "ASS-U-ME-d" to be a 'virgin' UNformatted CD-R
or CD-RW that you had 'formatted' yourself, using the appropriate software,
in readiness to use the CD-R (or CD-RW) for packet writing.

However, as your latest response to Robert confirms my assumption, I would
suggest that you read the Help pages associated with your 'Burning' software
utility, to gain a fuller understanding of the various options available to
you. Also spend a few hours <g> reading Andy McFadden's tome, with
particular reference to Packet Writing.

Mart
 
Mart,
Your assumption was correct; I used brand new CD's and formatted them
using the utility in DLA (by the way. I am not sure of the difference between
DLA and RecordNow; both seem to do the same thing as far as I can see).
Reading the help files aren't that helpful. The RecordNow help says "when a
disc formatted by DLA is inserted...you are notified in the RecordNow
console." And in DLA help: "all discs must be initialized (or formatted)
before they can store data." So where did I go wrong? Nowhere does it say not
to format the CD.
I'll take a look at Andy McFaddens article but make no promises to read
the whole thing; I'm not a techie--I just want the darn thing to work.
 
Mart, I had done that and found this message: "Standard brands of CD and DVD
blank media can be used with DLA. Each disc needs to be formatted first
before using DLA to write to the disc."
I appreciate your interest and support and I think the issue is done with;
perhaps someone else with the problem will read this and learn from it.
 
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