Can't Record DVD

Windows XP; MicroAdvantage 8x DVD +-R/RW writer; HP DVD Writer 300
I cannot write to a DVD. I can record a CD but not using a DVD. This is just a recent problem, just a few weeks ago I had no problems, now everytime I try to write a DVD it keeps asking for blank media, which is already in there and is reconized when Media Creator 7 starts transcoding, but after transcoding when it is reading to burn DVD it keeps telling me to put in media. I have unistalled and reinstalled both recorders and checked for better drivers but nothing seems to work.
Any advise?

 

I think this may be a software problem, try using a program like NERO, I have never had any problems recording DVD using nero, NERO 6 OEM can be found here for 5.00.

 

whompuscat

Suggest you turm off recording by XP when using other recording software like this (click to enlarge it) . Find it by rt-clk on dvd drive in explorer and select properties and recording tab. This avoids conflicts.

 

Recording by XP is not turned on. And yes somehow I think it is a software problem but I uninstalled and reinstalled several times and still the same problem. I find Nero confusing, kind of set in my ways with Roxio, since that is all I have used. I have Nero on my computer. What I have been doing is backing up my DVD collection so the grandkids do not ruin them. With Roxio, it gives me the option to select only the movie or the full CD, with Nero I have it lists all the files but does not tell me which one is only the movie file. I don't understand why it worked in the past but not now, something has changed but I don't know what. I think what it is doing is that when I select my source and then put in a blank cd it reads the speed of the blank dvd at that time, then continues to transcode it, but when it goes to write it, it changes the speed of the blank dvd to a higher speed and can't find it so it is asking me to put it in. Does this make sense to you? I know what I am trying to say but not sure it is coming across right. I use 4x and 8x DVDs, when it starts to record it is looking for a DVD that writes at 10.58mb per sec which neither of these do. Somehow between the start of the process and the burning of the cd it is changing the write speed of the DVD or the blank media it detected at the beginning of the process.

 

It used to work but now doesn't: makes me suspicious that the writer is getting tired and old. I have used recording by nero and roxio as well as just XP, and I prefer Roxio. It's head and shoulders above either of the others.

It sounds like your drive is failing. Can you record other kinds of DVDs as with drag-and-drop or just copy the whole DVD? Also, you might try to upgrade your Roxio online. But DVD writers aren't very expensive now, well under $100, and I suggest you replace it if the simple things don't work.

 

I have not even received the rebate on this drive yet, that is how new it is. I have an internal and external dvd RW drive and it does it on both. I can make a DVD such as my pictures, or I can rip and burn a DVD with DVD Shrink, so it has to be the software. And no answers on Roxio site. It has to be the software but have no idea why it is doing this or how to correct the problem.

 

The more facts you provide us, the more help we can give you. Possibly the new drive is failing while you're burning it in? Anyway, the CD writing mechanism is separate from the DVD writing mechanism - requires separate lasers and hardware, so one part can fail while the other works fine. If it's still under warranty, send it back for another.

Assuming a Roxio upgrade won't change anything.

edit: or you can wait to see if anyone else has a better suggestion.

 

Hi

(You have 2 DVD burners, right, and neither of them burn a disk?)
I might suspect the Windows ASPI layer drivers. Best way might be to remove both drives in Device Manager. Shutdown. Open the case and disconnect the power and data (ribbon) cables to the drives. Do a full boot into Windows. Shutdown and reconnect the cables.

Matt

 

I have determined that it is evidently the Roxio Easy Media 7 software that is the issue. Just why I do not know and there is no references to this on the Roxio site. I can use DVD Shrink to burn discs and they burn fine. Something in the software is corrupt, well at least I assume it is, although uninstalling and reinstalling has not fixed the problem, and when it starts to burn to disc it changes the write speed to a higher speed than my media or my drive supports. Bottomline, is I won't use Easy Media to create DVDs, what a waste of software.

 

whompuscat,

Glad you found a work-around, but you may still have a problem.

From your original post:

Roxio worked with your new DVD and now it doesn't in spite of reinstalling it. That means the problem is not Roxio.

There's a lot of software and hardware between Roxio and the DVD. The problem may be in the XP operating system and/or it's DVD driver(s); it could be in the BIOS and its extension in the DVD firmware; it could even be on the motherboard in the large chips that control the IDE drives and card slots.

However, in my experience, optical drives are the most frequently replaced failed drives.

You can uninstall the new DVD in control panel device manager and let windows reinstall it on rebooting - have your DVD CD ready.

Otherwise, use what works for you and await developments.

 

Thinking about your post Sparrow, I did do a Imation firmware BIOS flash, UT OH!! How do I undo that? Maybe that is what caused the problem. I did it because I was having some problems with the disks skipping, but now realize that was because I was recording while doing other things. I have removed and let XP reinstall the drives. Is there anyway to undo that BIOS flash that I did?

 

You'll have to check with Imation. Basically, you probably need to flash the original BIOS back if you can get it. I haven't run across this problem previously. Be sure to report back when it's fixed.

Still may be simpler to exchange the drive under warranty.

PS: I never record from CD to CD drive; always from CD to HD to CD - used to waste CDs before I adopted that policy and now, never ( ) waste any.