DVD+RW, Cannot write to anymore

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This is driving me NUTS! So freaken annoying. I've spent hours
installing and uninstalling various programs and STILL cannot write to,
erase, or format my DVD-RW's. Sometimes the error says they are dirty
but they are not and it is more than one (all Memorex).
I have a presario with Sonic's Record now (included).
There are no updates for it.
My recorder reads everything no problem (although sometimes I need to
reboot).

I have seen this problem in many newsgroups but have yet to find a
solution.

please help.
 
This is driving me NUTS! So freaken annoying. I've spent hours
installing and uninstalling various programs and STILL cannot write
to, erase, or format my DVD-RW's. Sometimes the error says they
are dirty but they are not and it is more than one (all Memorex).
I have a presario with Sonic's Record now (included).
There are no updates for it.
My recorder reads everything no problem (although sometimes I need
to reboot).

I have seen this problem in many newsgroups but have yet to find a
solution.
Click to expand...

Replace the defective hardware.
 
x-no-archive:
Why do you assume It's a hardware problem?
I can still write to DVD and CD's.
 
x-no-archive:
Why do you assume It's a hardware problem?
I can still write to DVD and CD's.
Click to expand...

What are you talking about? In your first post you stated that you: "cannot
write to, erase, or format my DVD-RW's." So which is it - can you or can't
you?

And BTW Shenan is probably right about it being defective. Even if you still
can write to CD's. DVD's use a different laser to write to DVD's than CD's
use to write to CD's. So the DVD laser probably went bad.

To verify if it did in fact become defective, take the drive out of your
computer, put it in another computer, and see if you can write, erase, and
format DVD's in the other computer. If you still have the same problem then
do as Shenan said and replace it.

-Dan
 
x-no-archive:
LittleMoo said:
What are you talking about? In your first post you stated that you: "cannot
write to, erase, or format my DVD-RW's." So which is it - can you or can't
you?
Click to expand...

That is right. I can write to DVD's. It is the re-writables I have an
issue with. Sorry but I thought that was obvious when I specified
DVD-RW's.
And BTW Shenan is probably right about it being defective. Even if you still
can write to CD's. DVD's use a different laser to write to DVD's than CD's
use to write to CD's. So the DVD laser probably went bad.

To verify if it did in fact become defective, take the drive out of your
computer, put it in another computer, and see if you can write, erase, and
format DVD's in the other computer. If you still have the same problem then
do as Shenan said and replace it.

-Dan
Click to expand...
 
x-no-archive:
I managed to erase. Then I tried writing to the DVD+RW using Sonics
"Record Now" version 6.5 (which was included with the laptop).

But it states about 14 minutes to left to burn the files, but goes to a
verifying state after about 30 seconds. THEN after about 10 more
seconds it says complete.
Then I go to read the DVD+RW and it has no files.
Checking the properties is says both 0 bytes for used and free space,
with a file system of "RAW"
Does that offer any insight?
 
x-no-archive:
I managed to erase. Then I tried writing to the DVD+RW using Sonics
"Record Now" version 6.5 (which was included with the laptop).

But it states about 14 minutes to left to burn the files, but goes to a

verifying state after about 30 seconds. THEN after about 10 more
seconds it says complete.
Then I go to read the DVD+RW and it has no files.
Checking the properties is says both 0 bytes for used and free space,
with a file system of "RAW".
YET when I look at it in Record now, it states "DVD+RW 4483 MB Free."
Again I can burn to DVD+R's.
Does that offer any insight?
 
That's a strange occurance. If you install another 3rd party DVD burning
app - you can try a couple of free ones just for the time being: Burn4Free:
http://www.download.com/Burn4Free-CD-and-DVD/3000-2646_4-10586856.html?tag=lst-0-1
or DeepBurner:
http://www.download.com/DeepBurner-Free/3000-2646_4-10527371.html?tag=lst-0-2 -
are you still having problems erasing and writing to the DVD-RW disks?

If you can erase and write to the RW disks with these programs then
something is probably up with Record Now - in this event I would try
uninstalling and re-installing it (if you have the disk for it).

If you're still having trouble with the RW disks in the other programs then
maybe you have a problem with:
A) Bad RW disks
B) A corrupt Windows driver of some sort (although Windows doesn't contain
native functionality for burning DVD's so I don't know if there would be any
drivers that would cause a problem with burning DVD-RW disks).
C) Some type of strange malfunction with your DVD burner.

If A then try other disks.
If B then try using a Restore Point to a time before you started having
problems.
If C then try updating your drivers and firmware for the burner and if that
doesn't help try your burner in another computer and see if you get the same
results (if there is no DVD burning software on the other computer then it
would be quick and simple to use one of the free ones).

You can also see if you are getting any event errors. This might help
diagnose the problem. Go to Start -> Run, type in eventvwr.msc and check the
Application and System sections for any errors. If you find errors then get
the Event # (you might have to scroll over to get this number) and you can
post them back here or try to get information on them at www.eventid.net -
you just have to put the Event # in the Event ID box and click Go.

-Dan
 
x-no-archive:
Thank you very much for you input.
But I fear I sent you on a wild goose chase. I have 4 DVD+RW's. 3 of
them were giving the problem I described. However the other two are
not and am writing to one right now.
The first 3 had superficial scratches ( Very superficial) and really
thought they should play and record fine (they did play fine). I
downloaded Sonics DLA to format and I get a general error when full
formatting or it tells me there is a problem with the media when doing
a quick format.
But one DVD+RW I was able to format and was able to write write to and
it had far less superficial scratches. Can such superficial scratches
really make a difference?
I'm going to try your suggestions anyway to see if anything changes.
 
Thank you very much for you input.
But I fear I sent you on a wild goose chase. I have 4 DVD+RW's. 3
of them were giving the problem I described. However the other two
are not and am writing to one right now.
The first 3 had superficial scratches ( Very superficial) and
really thought they should play and record fine (they did play
fine). I downloaded Sonics DLA to format and I get a general error
when full formatting or it tells me there is a problem with the
media when doing a quick format.
But one DVD+RW I was able to format and was able to write write to
and it had far less superficial scratches. Can such superficial
scratches really make a difference?
I'm going to try your suggestions anyway to see if anything changes.
Click to expand...

Yes...
Especially on DVD-RW and a DVD writer with a lower power laser or one that
may be out of alignment.
(Or just cheap craftsmanship.)

I have seen many low-end DVD+/- RW drives unable to read/write certain discs
and a Plextor would read/write just fine...
 
X-no-archive:

This is (apparently) my drive.
HL-DT-ST DVD+RW GCA-4040N

Porbably a cheap one as you described.

Thanks again. I really apprecaite it.
 
x-no-archive:
[email protected] said:
x-no-archive:


Geeez, thank you!!!!
But will it matter that my computer is a Compaw Presario (not a dell)?
Click to expand...

Now I have another DVD+RW that I Keep erasing/formatting (apprently no
problem). But when I re-insert it, the movie comes up that I made.
This is nuts.
 
x-no-archive:
Hey! Deep Burner worked for one of the three superficially scratched
discs.

I keep wondering for the other two, could it be a way I added data
before. Can that make a difference for DVD+RW's?
 
It shouldn't, but then again I don't use Record Now, so I'm not entirely
sure.

Have you upgraded your firmware?

-Dan
 
X-no-archive:
x-no-archive:
Hey! Deep Burner worked for one of the three superficially scratched
discs.
Click to expand...

Well I just tried erasing/formatting or write to the same DVD+RW-not
working again. Oh well. I'll chalk this up to bad DVD+RW's.
 
x-no-archive:


yes, I did that before actually. and as now there is nothing for my
DVD writer/player.
 
x-no-archive:
LittleMoo said:
It shouldn't, but then again I don't use Record Now, so I'm not entirely
sure.

Have you upgraded your firmware?
Click to expand...
going here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...softwareCategory&product=434906&dlc=en&os=228

There is no firmware update for my specfic DVD writer/player
(HL-DT-ST DVD+RW GCA-4040N).

I was considering using the previous suggestion of Shenan Stanley (the
dell firmware update. But that seems to be a fix for a read
compatibility issue with DVDR media that is burned using Toast 6
software (according to that page).

any point/harm in my trying (even though I have a compaq?)
 

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