Re: cd-dvd won't burn or copy

[Happy Oyster]

On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:

>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?

How do you know it does not? You got error messages of the CDs and DVDs
when burning? Or they were not readable on other PCs?
--

Crowd-funding is for money, crowd-publishing is for mankind.

http://www.supermanpost.com/

[Bob_Villa]

...and you don't mention model Inspiron or authoring software...WTF!

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:40:18 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:

>On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:32:10 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>
>>>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?
>>
>>How do you know it does not? You got error messages of the CDs and DVDs
>>when burning? Or they were not readable on other PCs?
>

>Unknown error.
>Winxp
>It's a 5?? something desktop.
A replacement drive is dirt cheap. I buy them in Canada for $19 or
less - gotta be more like $10 down there in the USA.

[Happy Oyster]

On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:40:18 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:

>On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:32:10 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>

>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>
>>>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?
>>
>>How do you know it does not? You got error messages of the CDs and DVDs
>>when burning? Or they were not readable on other PCs?
>

>Unknown error.
>Winxp-------------------------

>It's a 5?? something desktop.

Very funny. From what do you that THAT there is an error?

[Happy Oyster]

On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:30:16 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:

>On Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:07:14 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:40:18 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>
>>>On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:32:10 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?
>>>>
>>>>How do you know it does not? You got error messages of the CDs and DVDs
>>>>when burning? Or they were not readable on other PCs?
>>>
>>>Unknown error.
>>>Winxp-------------------------
>>>It's a 5?? something desktop.
>

>I tell it to copy and that's the error I get. Windows is encountering
>a problem coping the file.

You copy? How? What program do you use for that?

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:38:31 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:

>On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:30:16 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:07:14 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:40:18 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:32:10 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?
>>>>>
>>>>>How do you know it does not? You got error messages of the CDs and DVDs
>>>>>when burning? Or they were not readable on other PCs?
>>>>
>>>>Unknown error.
>>>>Winxp-------------------------
>>>>It's a 5?? something desktop.
>>
>>I tell it to copy and that's the error I get. Windows is encountering
>>a problem coping the file.
>
>You copy? How? What program do you use for that?

XP and above will write to CD but not DVD without any other program.

[Happy Oyster]

So that calls for installing an other program, which is more powerful
and more gelpful. How about imageburn? (I forgot the exact name).

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

Nero is my "program of choice" for CD and DVD production.

[Happy Oyster]

Yes, but it costs money. And for checking out IF the burner works, a
free software like imgburn is well suited, I think.

[ghostrider]

CDBurnerXP is free and easy to install. Download it from here:

http://cdburnerxp.se/en/home



GR

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

For checking if the burner works, all you need is included in Windows
- and Nero is included with virtually every CD/DVD burner drive I
sell.. Virtually every "retail" drive comes with a burning program of
some sort. - even the cheap Memorex.

[RnR]

On Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:35:37 -0400, helm...@wowway.com wrote:

>Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?

Assuming you can't restore from a backup or restore point, first
reboot. If that doesn't help, try a different software.

[Happy Oyster]

WRONG! Exactly THAT is what does NOT work. So the question is: What does
not work, the software or the hardware?

The easiest way is to try out the burner with another PC.

Next try is to use on the first PC a different software.

>- and Nero is included with virtually every CD/DVD burner drive I
>sell.. Virtually every "retail" drive comes with a burning program of
>some sort. - even the cheap Memorex.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

For me the simplest way to test that is to substitute the drive. Lots
of used ones floating around for cheap or nothing, or break the bank
for $19 and buy a new one. Don't waste hours wringing your hands
trying to decide what the problem is. From 26 years experience in the
CD Rom business (worked for the first and largest distributor of CD
Rom drives in Canada for 5 years) I can say 100% of the problems I've
run across with drives that would not read or drives that would not
write, were drive issues if the drive is seen by the bios, and about
75% of those that were not seen by the bios - the rest being cable or
connection problems.

[Happy Oyster]

No. The simplest way is to buy a new computer.

Do you now see that your approach is somewhat outlandish?

[RnR]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.
While I can't rule out the bad drive theory, I think it's worth trying
a little investigation.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

Not outlandish at all - and when, as part of my job servicing
computers, a drive is found to be disfunctional, the FIRST STEP is to
substitute a "known good drive". In virtually every case, it has also
been the "final solution".

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and shits like a duck,
it's a pretty good chance it IS a duck.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

What's your time worth? Particularly when the chances are better
than 75% you WILL end up changing the drive.

As for it being simpler to just replace the computer???? No way - you
need to reinstall all your programs and files, and redo all your
settings to replace the computer. Less than 10 minutes will replace
the CD/DVD drive on virtually any personal computer, and less than
half an hour on virtually any laptop. Testing with a USB connected
drive takes even less time and is virtually as effective. If the
external drive works, you have an internal drive problem - either
drive or interface cable.

[Happy Oyster]

On Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:24:05 -0400, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:

>>Do you now see that your approach is somewhat outlandish?
> Not outlandish at all - and when, as part of my job servicing
>computers, a drive is found to be disfunctional, the FIRST STEP is to
>substitute a "known good drive". In virtually every case, it has also
>been the "final solution".

That has to be analyzed to the to the main facts which still are in the
background...

1. IF you are in a service company, one thing is for sure in most of the
cases: the owners brought their computers to you in despair (because
going to a repair shop costs money!) AFTER having tried all they could
on their own. So, what you got on the table was already pre-selected.

2. To be able to use an other drive, one has to have one. Who has?

3. To be able to use an other drive, that drive must be mounted into the
computer, which - for that purpose - must be opened. Who can do that?

4. The easiest way to test a drive without opening the computer is to
try another software. Which, again, excludes a lot of cases in which the
owners on their own eliminated a great part of possible causes of
failures.

In the end, doing it step by step, most of the owners excluded all BUT
THE DRIVE. So it is no wonder that in the majority of cases what you got
onto the table WAS a case of drive failure.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:28:05 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:

>On Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:24:05 -0400, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:
>
>>>Do you now see that your approach is somewhat outlandish?
>> Not outlandish at all - and when, as part of my job servicing
>>computers, a drive is found to be disfunctional, the FIRST STEP is to
>>substitute a "known good drive". In virtually every case, it has also
>>been the "final solution".
>
>That has to be analyzed to the to the main facts which still are in the
>background...
>
>1. IF you are in a service company, one thing is for sure in most of the
>cases: the owners brought their computers to you in despair (because
>going to a repair shop costs money!) AFTER having tried all they could
>on their own. So, what you got on the table was already pre-selected.

Nope. My customers call me because their time is valuable

>
>2. To be able to use an other drive, one has to have one. Who has?

Anyone who has an old computer lying around, or has 2 computers, or
who scrapped their old one recently can have a spare drive around. And
as I have stated before - a new one can cost as little as 19 bucks in
Canada - and everythning is cheaper in the USA.

>
>3. To be able to use an other drive, that drive must be mounted into the
>computer, which - for that purpose - must be opened. Who can do that?

Virtually anybody with a screwdriver. Heck half the cases today don't
even need a screwdriver any more.

>
>4. The easiest way to test a drive without opening the computer is to
>try another software. Which, again, excludes a lot of cases in which the
>owners on their own eliminated a great part of possible causes of
>failures.
>

Except you don't know what all software is involved, so you can end up
having to do a complete fresh install of Windows (or whatever your OS
is) to get the software 100% replaced. And it's not going to fix it
anyway, at least 75% of the time - so you are just spinning your
wheels. If it doesn't work when you are done simply installing a
freeware burning program, you don't know if it is a native driver
problem, an interface problem, or the drive (most common)

On the other hand, if a new drive doesn't fix it (less than 25%
chance) then you get into the "difficult" stuff.

>In the end, doing it step by step, most of the owners excluded all BUT
>THE DRIVE. So it is no wonder that in the majority of cases what you got
>onto the table WAS a case of drive failure.

Like I said, you don't have a clue. When my customers' computers give
them trouble, they call ME to get the system back up and running as
soon as possible. At as low an overall cost as possible. Their
computers cost them BIG money when they are not working. In soime
cases several hundred dollars an hour to have a desktop down.

[Bob_Villa]

On Thursday, April 4, 2013 1:35:37 PM UTC-5, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
> Dell Inspiron will not write to cd-dvd, any help?

I'm siding with Mr.Snyder on this one...the oyster doesn't have a foot!

[RnR]

I disagree. Normally whether it's my car or pc, I investigate before
I replace parts or the whole thing. That said, let's see what others
say.

[Ben Myers]

On Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:35:37 PM UTC-4, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
> Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?

Lacking any other information, let me suggest the free CDBurnerXP and Imgburn programs.

Frankly, I have found Nero, Roxio and the other paid-for products to be quirky. If you use an OEM version, its function may be restricted to either the brand name BIOS of the computer you are using or the specific brand or even model of optical drive it was bundled with. I have never trusted Windows built-in CD/DVD burning toys.

There is absolutely NOTHING in either the computer's BIOS or the operating system drivers to enable or prevent CD/DVD burning. Does the optical device READ CDs or DVDS? I am assuming it does. If not, replace it... Ben Myers

[Happy Oyster]

On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:22:39 -0700 (PDT), Ben Myers
<ben.m...@gmail.com> wrote:

>There is absolutely NOTHING in either the computer's BIOS or the operating
>system drivers to enable or prevent CD/DVD burning. Does the optical
>device READ CDs or DVDS? I am assuming it does. If not, replace it...

Well, not quite so because, if reading depends on the very same driver
subroutines, a spoiled driver can also mess up the reading of the CDs
and DVDs.

Concerning opening a computer: If the computer is a notebook of netbook,
it for laymen is VERY complicated to open and put together the enclosure
again. Some parts may be made to MUST be replaced, like patches with
self-adhesive glue. IIRC Toshiba once made it that way. I don't know if
they still do that, but I do not trust any manufacturer.

[RnR]

On Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:44:37 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:

>On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:22:39 -0700 (PDT), Ben Myers
><ben.m...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>There is absolutely NOTHING in either the computer's BIOS or the operating
>>system drivers to enable or prevent CD/DVD burning. Does the optical
>>device READ CDs or DVDS? I am assuming it does. If not, replace it...
>
>Well, not quite so because, if reading depends on the very same driver
>subroutines, a spoiled driver can also mess up the reading of the CDs
>and DVDs.
>
>Concerning opening a computer: If the computer is a notebook of netbook,
>it for laymen is VERY complicated to open and put together the enclosure
>again. Some parts may be made to MUST be replaced, like patches with
>self-adhesive glue. IIRC Toshiba once made it that way. I don't know if
>they still do that, but I do not trust any manufacturer.

Getting back to the OP, my experience says to first reboot, then
check the device manager, then try the same or different software
before concluding it's a bad drive. I'm assuming of course he hasn't
messed with the connections/hardware to begin with. Of course if he
has a spare cd/dvd drive for this machine, no harm in swapping it out
but if he doesn't have a spare drive, then do the other things first
unless money is no object <g>.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:22:39 -0700 (PDT), Ben Myers
<ben.m...@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:35:37 PM UTC-4, helm...@wowway.com wrote:
>> Dell Insperon will not write to cd-dvd, any help?
>
>Lacking any other information, let me suggest the free CDBurnerXP and Imgburn programs.
>
>Frankly, I have found Nero, Roxio and the other paid-for products to be quirky. If you use an OEM version, its function may be restricted to either the brand name BIOS of the computer you are using or the specific brand or even model of optical drive it was bundled with.

The OEM will only INSTALL with the right drive. After it is installed
it will work with any drive - and none of the many OEM versions I have
ever seen is linked to the mother board.

> I have never trusted Windows built-in CD/DVD burning toys.

Since Windows XP SP2? the CD burning applet in Windows is bulletproof.
But you cannot burn DVDs. Media Player as a CD burner product may
leave something to be desired - I've never used it.

>
>There is absolutely NOTHING in either the computer's BIOS or the operating system drivers to enable or prevent CD/DVD burning. Does the optical device READ CDs or DVDS? I am assuming it does. If not, replace it... Ben Myers

Actually there is. The OS (windows in particular) has the cd drivers
built in, and the programs speek to the drive strictly through the API
(application programming interface) built into the OS.
Drivers/programs cannot talk directly to the hardware since Windows 98
SR2.

[cl...@snyder.on.ca]

On Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:44:37 +0400, Happy Oyster <-*-*.@.*-*-> wrote:

>On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:22:39 -0700 (PDT), Ben Myers
><ben.m...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>There is absolutely NOTHING in either the computer's BIOS or the operating
>>system drivers to enable or prevent CD/DVD burning. Does the optical
>>device READ CDs or DVDS? I am assuming it does. If not, replace it...
>
>Well, not quite so because, if reading depends on the very same driver
>subroutines, a spoiled driver can also mess up the reading of the CDs
>and DVDs.
>
>Concerning opening a computer: If the computer is a notebook of netbook,
>it for laymen is VERY complicated to open and put together the enclosure
>again. Some parts may be made to MUST be replaced, like patches with
>self-adhesive glue. IIRC Toshiba once made it that way. I don't know if
>they still do that, but I do not trust any manufacturer.

ANY decent Laptop allows you to remove the cd/dvd drive by removing
only ONE screw. Some don't need a screw at all, and there is NO
Netbook that has an internal CD drive.
Connecting an external cd drive (via USB) is the soimple troubleshoot
if you can borrow one.

[Ben Myers]

CD/DVD drivers to READ ONLY, YES! CD or DVD BURNING(!) drivers, NO! Beginning with Windows 2000, CD/DVD drivers are an automatic install for Windows, and I don't think I have ever seen a modern Windows system in which the CD/DVD drivers were missing. Perhaps I overstated in my last message, or, at least, left out the part about the built-in READ-ONLY drivers... Ben Myers