Can't write a CD

[Terry Lemons]

Hi

I'm running Windows XP SP2, and I'd like to use the standard XP CD writing
software. I've run the CD Writing Wizard, and see the message 'Performing
final steps to make the CD ready to use...'. But, after several minutes of
looking at the message, I get a new message:

Cannot Complete the CD Writing Wizard
There was an error in the writing process. The disc you have attempted to
write may no longer be usable

What could be wrong? What can I try to diagnose or fix this? I do have
other software installed (Sonic, Retrospect) that write DVDs and CDs. Could
they be getting in each others' way? I can use Retrospect to successfully
write DVDs on the same drive.

Thanks!
tl

 

[Papa]

I don't mean to be insulting, but is your CD drive write-capable? You'd be
amazed as to how many people think they can write to a CD, but only have a
CD read drive.

 

[Terry Lemons]

I also use Sonic MyDVD, which comes with DLA. On my system, it doesn't work
either. I disabled DLA, and was trying to use the basic Windows XP product
as a debugging step (this was suggested by Sonic Support).

tl

 

[Terry Lemons]

Yes, it is. I know this, because I use this drive (which is a combination
DVD/CD drive) as a DVD burner using the EMC Dantz Retrospect backup software
with that drive, and it works great.

tl

 

[Papa]

Yes, it is. I know this, because I use this drive (which is a combination
DVD/CD drive) as a DVD burner using the EMC Dantz Retrospect backup
software with that drive, and it works great.

tl

I use Nero for my burner software. Never been a problem. Nero can be
expensive if purchased all by itself, but a full version came bundled with
my drive at a price competitive with other drives that did not include Nero.
My OS is Windows XP.

 

[b]

Hi Terry,
I had a similar problem, the other software disabled the xp write enable.
Try this
Open Windows explorer, right click on and highlight the CD drive you wish to
write to,
then >Properties>Recording. Make sure you have checked the box "enable CD
recording on this drive"
Hope it is of some help.
Brian.

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Terry if none of the Burning software you have is working then the burner
itself might be damaged. I've had DVDRW/CD-R/W drives that would only write
to one media but not the other. It ended up that the laser was damaged. Is
it possible for you to try the device in another computer?

 

[Terry Lemons]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yep, this is enabled. I even tried writing to
the CD media at a slower speed, but sill get the same error.

Could it be that I have an incompatible mix of drivers/software on my
system?

tl

 

[Glen]

Have you tried different blank discs. Do the blank discs write ok with the
other software. I have to ask why you would want to use XP built in software
when you have other cd writing software installed. Other cd writing software
can interfere with each other. Try uninstalling all other CD writing
software making sure xp built in software is enabled and try writing a disc.
If it works reinstall your other programs one at a time writing a disc each
time with windows to make sure it still works. You can write to CDRW discs
but do not format them treat them like regular CDs that way you can erase
them after each test write.

Glen