what's next?

[mrspoorboy]

Just tossing this question around the web to see if anyone has any idea as to what I try next.....

Problem: I can't write cd's. I come up with an error message saying that perhaps the cd isn't working. After ruining about 5 cd's, I'm looking for something else to try.

Here are the measures I've tried.
1. Writing another cd -- same message.
2. Virus scan--no viruses.
3. Spybot scan --no problem
4. Ad aware scan -- no problem
5. Tried lowering write speed -- same message
6. Checked properties of cd writing drive with indication that drive is working properly. (what did they check, anyway and how do they know?)
7. drive will play music cd
8. checked windows media player settings to see if possibly any of those settings might be interferring with the write properties of the drive --couldn't see or perhaps couldn't understand anyway that anything was amiss.

would appreciate anything else that might shed some light on this problem.
Thanks
mrspoorboy

[wordsmythe]

Are you putting the discs in upside down?

I've found that it's usually the simple things that get you.

[lurker]

What application are you using to write your cd's?

[gunnar1073]

If you can post the exact error message that pops up that will most certainly help.

[Tee]

Might just need a new one, they do fail.

What are CD burners costing these days? 15.00 - 20.00?

[mrspoorboy]

thanks for your thoughts. Wordy, I'll take extra care when I sacrifice another disc to write that error message down that gunnar asked about. You may have to help me think of something simpler than that. Lurker, I'm using the xp windows app. (right clicking on the folder and sending it to the cd/dvd drive, then using the windows wizard to write the cd. I have another app, so I might try that one as well, In addition, I think the media player has a burner app or used to anyway that will work for data files. I might try that, too. Give me a coupla days to try some things and I'll report back with the results. As for the new cd writer, well that brings up another problem I've been trying to ignore. Seems that my usb ports will work with direct links, but won't work through a usb hub. Oh, and the problem I have installing any new programs with a disc through that same cd drive. Says I'm missing a dll file. Spose that has any bearing on the cd writing problem?
Still looking for ideas
mrspoorboy

[gunnar1073]

Yeah, it could have a lot to do with it...

[Zeb]

I agree with tee, I have seen enough of them to recognize the signs.

Other things that point to that are

You can read a music CD but not a data CD (or visa versa)
You can read both music/data, but burner will fail.

<<<<Seems that my usb ports will work with direct links, but won't work through a usb hub.>>>

Is your HUB USB 2.0? sounds like it is 1.1. but needs to be 2.0 for the device your running thru the hub.

Are all the driver installed correctly for your USB? (right click "my computer" go to properties, then device manager and look for any yellow marks with problems) should see USB 2.0 stuff somewhere there.

<<<Oh, and the problem I have installing any new programs with a disc through that same cd drive. Says I'm missing a dll file. Spose that has any bearing on the cd writing problem? >>>

Yep, Sounds like a bad CD drive/burner to me anyway.

[gunnar1073]

Yeah, except that a pc should recognize a bad cd burner before she burns.... the dll file makes me think its something O/S.

[mrspoorboy]

Haven't gotten back to experimenting with the cd burner and other apps. I appreciate the comments and will get back on when I've done a little more looking and testing.
mrspoorboy