Improper Detection of CD Type?

I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no longer
have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution? Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the right
one?

On Sep 26, 10:36*pm, CardTrick
wrote:
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. *It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. *But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to it
being RW capable. *Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. *I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who is
1000 miles away. *Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no longer
have that list of things I could try. *Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution? * Thanks
for any help from anyone! *If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the right
one?

Sound like the CD has is lower / upper "device" filter registry
records "bad." Locate Kelly's Korner and look at the tweaks section.

Also, consider UltraVNC "remote control" system to help to fix the
configuration. You can "remote" onto the problem system and check out
the config.

This may help
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;314060

"CardTrick" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated
with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via
a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to
it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who
is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no
longer
have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution?
Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the
right
one?

On 2008-09-27, CardTrick hit the keyboard and wrote:
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no longer

First make sure the *user* really wants this fixed, and
don't spend time pursuing a task that is in the end not
appreciated... I myself hate it when asked to solve a
problem and the user doesn't implement the necessary steps
to solve the problem.


But basically would one not need a 3party software to be
able to use a CD-RW as such? For example "Nero" would need
to be installed to make the CD-unit a RW-tool. Don't think
that windows out of the box has these capabilities...


have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution? Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the right
one?



Dragomir Kollaric
--
"When science discovers the center of the universe, a lot of
people will be disappointed to find they are not it."
Bernard Baily

"Dragomir Kollaric" wrote in message
...
On 2008-09-27, CardTrick hit the keyboard and wrote:
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated
with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via
a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to
it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who
is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no
longer

First make sure the *user* really wants this fixed, and
don't spend time pursuing a task that is in the end not
appreciated... I myself hate it when asked to solve a
problem and the user doesn't implement the necessary steps
to solve the problem.


But basically would one not need a 3party software to be
able to use a CD-RW as such? For example "Nero" would need
to be installed to make the CD-unit a RW-tool. Don't think
that windows out of the box has these capabilities...

Yes it has but not for dvd-rw

have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me
from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution?
Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the
right
one?



Dragomir Kollaric
--
"When science discovers the center of the universe, a lot of
people will be disappointed to find they are not it."
Bernard Baily

You gave me te starting points I was looking for. I think I'm well on my way
to solving the problem. Thanks to you, as well as the others that
contributed.

"smlunatick" wrote:

On Sep 26, 10:36 pm, CardTrick
wrote:
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no longer
have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution? Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the right
one?

Sound like the CD has is lower / upper "device" filter registry
records "bad." Locate Kelly's Korner and look at the tweaks section.

Also, consider UltraVNC "remote control" system to help to fix the
configuration. You can "remote" onto the problem system and check out
the config.

"CardTrick" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to troubleshoot an older Dell system which has been updated
with
XP, and SP1,2, and 3. It has a single CD-RW drive that gets reported via
a
check of its device and device driver as being RW. But, the My Computer
screen reports the drive as being simple a CD drive with no reference to
it
being RW capable. Attempts to write to a blank CD fails. I'm doing this
troubleshooting by email as the actual computer belongs to a relative who
is
1000 miles away. Some years back I attmpted to do tis and was given some
sound advice as to a set of things I could try.. but the user was
uninterested in pursuing it and I've since gotten a new machine and no
longer
have that list of things I could try. Can anyone give me a new start on
where to look for help or what info I should be asking him to give me from
his system which will send me in the right direction to a solution?
Thanks
for any help from anyone! If this is the wrong forum.. send me to the
right
one?

Just a thought: in Windows Explorer, right-click the drive, left-click
Properties. On the "Recording" tab, make sure there's a tick in "Enable CD
recording on this drive".

To confirm subsequent posts: XP *does* support CD-writing natively.

What exactly do you mean by "attempts to write to a blank CD fails" - what
do you try and what happens? Have you tried a different disc?