Dvd Writer Problems

D-Dan · Jun 18, 2009, 20:17:31

Time to try a different drive me-thinks. Do you have one you could take out of yours to test with?

Steve

Sebby · Jun 18, 2009, 22:56:47

Yep, it sounds like a different drive is going to be the only option next.

Lona · Jun 19, 2009, 01:04:50

My friends pc is an evesham Ebox with a slot dvd so wouldn't be able to fit an ordinary dvd burner.

I still find it weird that it can read dvds and cds containing music files but was unable to read the nero installation disc.

Steve · Jun 19, 2009, 05:23:19

I have an external usb DVD burner and it works very well. HP DVD1040E

kinmel · Jun 19, 2009, 09:22:15

Try this freeware program burn4free.

I use nothing else to burn DVDs and CDs

Simon · Jun 19, 2009, 10:03:13

Will that one burn MP3s to a CD without a gap or an audible click between tracks, Alan? I have quite a few live recordings in MP3 format, and regularly come across that problem.

Sebby · Jun 19, 2009, 14:00:11

Quote from: Lona on Jun 19, 2009, 01:04:50
My friends pc is an evesham Ebox with a slot dvd so wouldn't be able to fit an ordinary dvd burner.

You'll probably find that, behind the front of the case, it is just a stand slot-loading drive.

Lona · Jun 19, 2009, 21:22:11

I'm definitely going mad here.

Was down today again. Did a system restore and took it back to March.

I tried the new burner programme but got the same thing. Would burn cds but not DVDs

I think I said before I could get it to read dvds but not burn them, well today it would only read some dvds but not the ones it had read yesterday.

I have got it reading cds again but when I put in dvds it recognises them as cds except for the odd one or two.

D-Dan · Jun 19, 2009, 21:27:52

OK - here's what to do. Forget about the drive that's there. If there's an IDE port - for testing purposes, take the side off, and connect a different drive to it. Don't worry about it just hanging there (prop it up on a cardboard box or something) - and test it.

For the avoidance of doubt (and so you don't sue me) - disconnect from power before connecting the test drive.

The purpose here is to either confirm, or eliminate the drive as the problem. It doesn't have to be pretty.

Steve

Lona · Jun 19, 2009, 21:38:45

That's way beyond me, Steve. Software problems I can usually solve but when it comes to hardware, I'm chicken. The most I've ever done inside a pc is add memory and a graphics card or cleaned inside with canned air.

Ted · Jun 19, 2009, 23:09:41

Quote from: Lona on Jun 19, 2009, 21:38:45
That's way beyond me, Steve. Software problems I can usually solve but when it comes to hardware, I'm chicken. The most I've ever done inside a pc is add memory and a graphics card or cleaned inside with canned air.

Lona, if you can change a graphics card you can change a DVD drive. Just unplug the ribbon cable and power connector from the old drive and put them in the new drive, job done.

As sebby said, its probably just an ordinary drive behind a fancy flap. The hardest part is getting the front off the machine to slide the drive out, but if you look closely enough you can usually spot the catches.

Lance · Jun 20, 2009, 00:02:04

Also you should leave it plugged in but with the switch off. That way the stactic has a route to earth.