How Do I Check Whether I Have A DVD Writer?

[Vanchatron]

I have 2 CD drives on my computer and I want to put some movies from my PC on to DVD so that I can watch them on my TV using a DVD player.

I don't know whether I have a drive that is able to burn a movie to a blank DVD though and was wondering how I would be able to check whether I have one or not.


HK

[Sylvander]

Device Manager should give some clue about what kind of optical drives are connected.

See the image below of my devices being displayed in "View->By connection", and then I highlight the computer symbol at the top and hit "Numlock + * and then Numlock again" [to expand the tree and reset numlock back as it was].

[karthik]

You said you have 2 cd drives.
Then DVD writer ?
If you have installed a DVD writer then simply go to cmd and type the drive
letter see whether it is present or not.
Example: C:\> H: (say h is your dvd writer)

[jlreich]

Look on the front of the drive. It should have markings telling you what it is capable of. If you have a case that covers the front, you may have to hold the little door open and have a peak inside to find out.

[Sylvander]

"Aida16" (included on the "Emergency Boot CD" [EBCD]) running outside of Windows, gives LOTS of detailed info on all connected/detected hardware [more than "Everest" gives on my optical drives within Windows].

I copied this exactly as presented...
e.g.
Model ID : Hewlett-Packard CD-Writer Plus 9300
Revision : 1.0c
Removeable Device : Yes
IDE0 Master Unit
-----------------------------------------------

Model ID :
Revision :
Manufacturer : MTRP
Device Type : CD-ROM
Speed : 52X
Removeable Device : Yes
IDE1 Master Unit
------------------------------------------------

[cdcq12]

Look on the front of the drive. It should have markings telling you what it is capable of. If you have a case that covers the front, you may have to hold the little door open and have a peak inside to find out.

I would do that. Is there any reason why you wouldn't be able to see what it is capable of?