DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM multi burner not recognised

[Al]

I have a new Matshita (aka Panasonic) sw-9581 multi
burner installed in a Time Computers system running
windows xp (home). The drive reads CDs and DVDs
satisfactorily. It also burns CD-Rs and CD-RWs but I
can't find any DVD recording software that recognises the
drive as a DVD burner (DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM are all
supported). Do I need an updated driver or firmware?

Any help much appreciated.

Al

 

[Lawrence]

Have you run through this article from the Microsoft Knowledge Base?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q316529


Good luck,
-Lawrence in Seattle

 

[Al]

OldDemdike

Thanks for your help - you're quite right. In my defence
the system came with minimal documentation. I'm used to
using Nero Burning software - does this mean that the
only DVD burning software I can use is the preloaded
Pinnacle software? Will drivers eventually become
available to enable windows xp to recognise the drive
natively?

Thanks again for your help.

Al

 

[Lawrence]

You won't damage anything by trying the previous driver.... It is
disappointing that they released the hardware before they released a driver
for it, but maybe that's a sign that it doesn't matter. We can only hope.

But about this Pinnacle software.... It came with the drive? I would
certainly defer to the software (and hopefully driver(s)) that came with the
hardware.... It may why Panasonic hasn't listed it yet. The gap between
developers, and vendors. At any rate, I would thoroughly eliminate it as a
source for drivers, before trying to use a predecessor driver.

For example, I installed the latest driver for my Geforce card, the day it
was released by NVIDIA, but 3 weeks later, Microsoft sent me a notice
stating that I could update to a 'new' version.... but it was really the
very same, just delayed in posting because of the bureaucracies.

Keep checking that Panasonic site.... I imagine they'll post a driver sooner
or later. By then, you'll have made your own DVD about the journey.

Good luck,
-Lawrence in Seattle

 

[Al]

OldDemdike

Thanks again for your help with this matter. I'll
stuggle on with the Pinnacle software for the time being.

Al

 

[Al]

Lawrence

I feel I'm getting a little out of my depth now. I've
studied the Pinnacle software as best I know how, but
can't identify any driver(s). However, that doesn't
mean the're not there.(The software came preloaded -
specifically for this drive.) You've obviously seen the
replies from Olddemdike, who seems to be saying that I
just have to be patient and wait for Microsoft to produce
a patch and for Nero to update the software.

Unless you've any further advice that's not too technical
then I'll plod on with the Pinnacle software. I'll take
your advice, however, and keep an eye on the Panasonic
website.

Thanks for all your help.

Al

 

[Old Demdike]

OldDemdike

Thanks again for your help with this matter. I'll
stuggle on with the Pinnacle software for the time being.

Al

FYI just found another bug:
Installing AOL8 forces the Pinnacle software to try and reinstall itself
You have to keep clicking cancel...
OldDemdike