DVD Writer / Cd Writer combo won't read or write CD-rw's

E

epi-pissed!

I didn't notice this problem because I've burnt CD-RW's in the past, but
recently when trying to, my drive is telling me I have no disc inserted.

I know it still reads and plays DVD's(just tested it seconds ago), but when
I pop a blank disc in and try to burn some files onto it, it still give me
the "insert cd" bs.

It's weird I went to the manufacturer's site(HP) to get the driver for my
drive(which says on the site that my drive is a Philip's) but when I go to
update it, it says it's not compatible.

I checked the driver information for the dvd/cdrw and it's a LITE-ON DVDRW
SOHW 832S GC
It's odd that it says it's a "dvdrw" and not dvdrw/cdrw , i've tried
updating it various ways but it will just not let me replace it. I also
uninstalled and tried install different but it still says i'm unable or it's
not compatible then installs the LITE-ON again.

Could it just be that my CD-RW laser is dead? I'm probably getting convinced
it is, but i just want to confirm it.(i've had the computer for a little over
3 years, but i have really used the CD-RW at all.)
 
M

Malke

epi-pissed! said:
I didn't notice this problem because I've burnt CD-RW's in the past, but
recently when trying to, my drive is telling me I have no disc inserted.

I know it still reads and plays DVD's(just tested it seconds ago), but
when I pop a blank disc in and try to burn some files onto it, it still
give me the "insert cd" bs.
(snippage)

Could it just be that my CD-RW laser is dead? I'm probably getting
convinced it is, but i just want to confirm it.(i've had the computer for
a little over 3 years, but i have really used the CD-RW at all.)

Yes. You can try an optical drive cleaner but most probably the CD laser is
dead. With DVD/RW drives so cheap, just replace it. If you want to be sure,
install it in another computer for testing or even better, boot with a
Linux Live CD like Knoppix and see how the burner behaves under a different
operating system.

Malke
 
P

Paul

epi-pissed! said:
I didn't notice this problem because I've burnt CD-RW's in the past, but
recently when trying to, my drive is telling me I have no disc inserted.

I know it still reads and plays DVD's(just tested it seconds ago), but when
I pop a blank disc in and try to burn some files onto it, it still give me
the "insert cd" bs.

It's weird I went to the manufacturer's site(HP) to get the driver for my
drive(which says on the site that my drive is a Philip's) but when I go to
update it, it says it's not compatible.

I checked the driver information for the dvd/cdrw and it's a LITE-ON DVDRW
SOHW 832S GC
It's odd that it says it's a "dvdrw" and not dvdrw/cdrw , i've tried
updating it various ways but it will just not let me replace it. I also
uninstalled and tried install different but it still says i'm unable or it's
not compatible then installs the LITE-ON again.

Could it just be that my CD-RW laser is dead? I'm probably getting convinced
it is, but i just want to confirm it.(i've had the computer for a little over
3 years, but i have really used the CD-RW at all.)

Run the Nero Infotool. It will tell you what standards the
drive thinks it supports. Just unzip and run it.

http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/NeroInfoTool_403.zip

Paul
 
B

BigJim

sounds like a dead or partially dead drive.
Newegg had new ones pretty cheap
just make sure if you get one to order the
right kind. IDE or sata.
 
M

M.I.5¾

epi-pissed! said:
I didn't notice this problem because I've burnt CD-RW's in the past, but
recently when trying to, my drive is telling me I have no disc inserted.

I know it still reads and plays DVD's(just tested it seconds ago), but
when
I pop a blank disc in and try to burn some files onto it, it still give me
the "insert cd" bs.

It's weird I went to the manufacturer's site(HP) to get the driver for my
drive(which says on the site that my drive is a Philip's) but when I go to
update it, it says it's not compatible.

I checked the driver information for the dvd/cdrw and it's a LITE-ON DVDRW
SOHW 832S GC
It's odd that it says it's a "dvdrw" and not dvdrw/cdrw , i've tried
updating it various ways but it will just not let me replace it. I also
uninstalled and tried install different but it still says i'm unable or
it's
not compatible then installs the LITE-ON again.

Could it just be that my CD-RW laser is dead? I'm probably getting
convinced
it is, but i just want to confirm it.(i've had the computer for a little
over
3 years, but i have really used the CD-RW at all.)

You've got it spot on. The lasers are limited life items (in my view too
limited). Typical life seems to be 2 or 3 years, but I have had one go in 6
months. Fortunately a replacement drive is cheap as chips.
 
E

epi-pissed!

You've got it spot on. The lasers are limited life items (in my view too
limited). Typical life seems to be 2 or 3 years, but I have had one go in 6
months. Fortunately a replacement drive is cheap as chips.


Thank you all, I guess I new it all along, I just didn't want to have to pay for something that I've already invested $1500 for.(seriously it's messed up)
 
P

PA20Pilot

Hi,

M.I.5¾" wrote:

.........You invested fifteen hundred dollars in a DVD writer???

I'd be willing to sell you one for a tad less as long as you're willing
to pay cash.

---==X={}=X==---

Jim Self

AVIATION ANIMATION, the internet's largest depository.
http://avanimation.avsupport.com

Your only internet source for spiral staircase plans.
http://jself.com/stair/Stair.htm

Experimental Aircraft Association #140897
EAA Technical Counselor #4562
 

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