problem with dvdrw

[raymon2683]

hi,

i'm encoutering a problem these days with my dvdrw, each time i buy a dvdrw media and burn a data on it with Nero 8, i'm unable to format or erase it to use it again.It sees the dvdrw media as a Dvdrom.
I first though it was the media cause, but after trying other brand still the same.
I'm running Nero 8 o Vista Ultimate.
It even difficullt to read them on different dvd drives.

[mjc]

It even difficullt to read them on different dvd drives.

How old is the drive?

It is sounding like a hardware problem. One of the signs of a misaligned laser is the disks are only readable on the drive they were created on...

[Sylvander]

Identity of the specific drive?
Is its firmware capable of burning to DVD-RW media of the particular speed being used?
When I updated my own DVD-RW's firmware, the new firmware could no longer burn DVD-RW's at 2-speed; the minimum changed to 4-speed.

To see if a burn is possible [within another OS other than Windows]...
You need to load [something like] Knoppix 5.1.1 (http://iso.linuxquestions.org/knoppix/knoppix-5.1.1/) from a bootable "live" CD, and use its included burning program [forgotten its name].
You'd need a separate CD-reader to boot Knoppix as well as your DVD-burner to burn the DVD.
There is a way to do this with only the DVD-burner/reader [by swapping out the Knoppix disk], but I've forgotten how.
Can anyone remind us?

Read your Nero help files for "Nero Burn Rights" [for burning with Nero within Windows].

[Paul Komski]

Does your burner support the type of DVD media (http://dvr.about.com/od/dvdrecordableformats/f/faq4.htm) you are using? As well as Single Layer/Dual Layer etc.

I have only had your problem with a bad batch of media.

[raymon2683]

hi, thank yes , the dvdrw media is a single layer, the drive is just one year old.
and i checked with nero's that the drive can burn the selected media.
The drive is a samsung one.

[Sylvander]

We'd need to know the exact model of your Samsung DVD-burner so that it might then be possible to find out its capabilities.

e.g. It may or may not be a 18x Super-WriteMaster™ DVD Writer (http://www.samsungoms-europe.com/samsung.php?section=product&group=multi&id=SH-S182)

[raymon2683]

sorry for the delay yes is the samsung

18x Super-WriteMaster™ DVD Writer sh-s182.

[mjc]

If it is behaving the same way with a couple of different brands of media, that it is capable of using, then it is very likely to be an alignment problem...

If the drive is still under warranty...it is time to use it.

[Sylvander]

Windows XP does not recognize a DVD-RW disc (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];818733).

CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];316529).

DVD-RW Drive Appears in My Computer as a DVD-R Drive (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];821578).

Description of CD-R and CD-RW recording in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];279157).

The above were found HERE (http://club.cdfreaks.com/f61/troubleshooting-microsoft-knowledge-base-mskb-articles-related-optical-drives-52565/).

[mjc]

Exact symptoms...

Rewritable media is seen as plain recordable media and usable only once.

Disks burned in this drive are difficult to read in other drives...but by inference, readable in this drive...

Combined, they are the most common signs of a laser that is misaligned. And with today's drive prices, it is much cheaper to use the thing for a boat anchor than attempt to repair it.

[raymon2683]

thanks, yesterday i tried to burn a dvd but it floped, this is the log.
By the way which drive would it be advisable to go for at the moment(no bluray needed for the mean time). thanks

[Sylvander]

If MJC is right...
If you try to burn a DVD within Knoppix...
It should fail there also.

Try it and see.

[mjc]

Until the writing actually tried to start, everything looks good...but then...10:11:34 PM #22 CDR -1106 File Writer.cpp, Line 306
Power calibration error
K: TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S182D

So, it is one of the following, in order of likelihood,

1. Bad/in compatible media.
2. Laser misalignment/problem
3. Window's built in 'burning' capabilities interfering with Nero.

But, in your case, # 2 is more likely, because of the previous problem of the disks being not readable on other machines.

[raymon2683]

Thanks guys

[techmind48]

The DVD-RW is not able to read CDs when inserted. Message appears "Insert CD".

Opening Device Manager, error message appears "with Yellow Question Mark" next to the DVD-RW.

Tried to uninstall the CD-RW and restarting the system but the problem continues.

Changed the Cable connecting to the motherboard, problem continues.

Replaced with CD-ROM Drive the problem continues.

How to solve this problem?

Can the DVD-RW be used with External Box with USB port as used for HDD?

Bhasker Raj
India

[Paul Komski]

What is the specific Device Manager message and can you confirm that the drive is showing a drive letter in My Computer - or not?

General Help from Aumha (http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm)