Cannot read or write rewritable CDs

#1 Master
#2 CSEL
for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
There is just one ribbon cable, with two different connectors, for the two
optical disc drives. If the cable were defective, disabling the CD-RW read
and write function on the "E" drive, would one expect the DVD+RW on the
same drive to still work (which it does)? And if different portions of the
cable are responsible for CD vs DVD R/W, which cable would I use (since
there only appears to be one)? Would it make sense to switch the "D" and
"E" drive connectors?

Thanks,

Clem.

"Rick Merrill" wrote in message
...
JD wrote:
C.M.G. wrote:
Initial post:

===================
I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to
record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have tried
3
different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same CD-RWs
work
normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.
===================

I have now uninstalled itunes, real, quicktime, some video viewing
utility
the name of which I've forgotten (shipped with Dell), and I've rolled
back
windows media player from v11 to v9.

Updates are all current, though I use xp pro sp2, not sp3. When sp3
first
came out, I installed it, but something stopped working, don't quite
remember what, so I rolled back to sp2.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,


Try a different cable to connect the drive.


The simplest suggestion IS often the best.

Hello Hot-text,

Thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure I understand you correctly:

The ribbon cable has two connectors; the one closer to the motherboard is
connected to the RW, and the farther away (at the end of the ribbon) is
connected to the ROM.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select.

Are you saying the ROM should be plugged in closer to the motherboard, and
the jumper set to Master? And the RW connects at the end or the ribbon
cable, and jumper set to Cable select?

I appreciate your help.

Clem.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
#1 Master
#2 CSEL
for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
There is just one ribbon cable, with two different connectors, for the
two optical disc drives. If the cable were defective, disabling the CD-RW
read and write function on the "E" drive, would one expect the DVD+RW on
the same drive to still work (which it does)? And if different portions
of the cable are responsible for CD vs DVD R/W, which cable would I use
(since there only appears to be one)? Would it make sense to switch the
"D" and "E" drive connectors?

Thanks,

Clem.

"Rick Merrill" wrote in message
...
JD wrote:
C.M.G. wrote:
Initial post:

===================
I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently
works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to
record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3
different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same CD-RWs
work
normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.
===================

I have now uninstalled itunes, real, quicktime, some video viewing
utility
the name of which I've forgotten (shipped with Dell), and I've rolled
back
windows media player from v11 to v9.

Updates are all current, though I use xp pro sp2, not sp3. When sp3
first
came out, I installed it, but something stopped working, don't quite
remember what, so I rolled back to sp2.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,


Try a different cable to connect the drive.


The simplest suggestion IS often the best.

Hello Hot-text,

Thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure I understand you correctly:

The ribbon cable has two connectors; the one closer to the motherboard is
connected to the RW, and the farther away (at the end of the ribbon) is
connected to the ROM.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select.

Are you saying the ROM should be plugged in closer to the motherboard, and
the jumper set to Master? And the RW connects at the end or the ribbon
cable, and jumper set to Cable select?

I appreciate your help.

Clem.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
#1 Master
#2 CSEL
for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
There is just one ribbon cable, with two different connectors, for the
two optical disc drives. If the cable were defective, disabling the CD-RW
read and write function on the "E" drive, would one expect the DVD+RW on
the same drive to still work (which it does)? And if different portions
of the cable are responsible for CD vs DVD R/W, which cable would I use
(since there only appears to be one)? Would it make sense to switch the
"D" and "E" drive connectors?

Thanks,

Clem.

"Rick Merrill" wrote in message
...
JD wrote:
C.M.G. wrote:
Initial post:

===================
I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently
works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to
record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3
different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same CD-RWs
work
normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.
===================

I have now uninstalled itunes, real, quicktime, some video viewing
utility
the name of which I've forgotten (shipped with Dell), and I've rolled
back
windows media player from v11 to v9.

Updates are all current, though I use xp pro sp2, not sp3. When sp3
first
came out, I installed it, but something stopped working, don't quite
remember what, so I rolled back to sp2.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,


Try a different cable to connect the drive.


The simplest suggestion IS often the best.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select. NO No
One jumpers cable select.
One jumpers Master.
the farther or closer not it
it Master and cable select that make it work you is Just puck one..



"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
Hello Hot-text,
Thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure I understand you correctly:

The ribbon cable has two connectors; the one closer to the motherboard is
connected to the RW, and the farther away (at the end of the ribbon) is
connected to the ROM.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select.

Are you saying the ROM should be plugged in closer to the motherboard, and
the jumper set to Master? And the RW connects at the end or the ribbon
cable, and jumper set to Cable select?

I appreciate your help.

Clem.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
#1 Master
#2 CSEL
for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
There is just one ribbon cable, with two different connectors, for the
two optical disc drives. If the cable were defective, disabling the
CD-RW read and write function on the "E" drive, would one expect the
DVD+RW on the same drive to still work (which it does)? And if different
portions of the cable are responsible for CD vs DVD R/W, which cable
would I use (since there only appears to be one)? Would it make sense to
switch the "D" and "E" drive connectors?

Thanks,

Clem.

"Rick Merrill" wrote in message
...
JD wrote:
C.M.G. wrote:
Initial post:

===================
I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently
works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to
record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3
different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same CD-RWs
work
normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not
read
rewritable CDs.
===================

I have now uninstalled itunes, real, quicktime, some video viewing
utility
the name of which I've forgotten (shipped with Dell), and I've rolled
back
windows media player from v11 to v9.

Updates are all current, though I use xp pro sp2, not sp3. When sp3
first
came out, I installed it, but something stopped working, don't quite
remember what, so I rolled back to sp2.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,


Try a different cable to connect the drive.


The simplest suggestion IS often the best.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select. NO No
One jumpers cable select.
One jumpers Master.
the farther or closer not it
it Master and cable select that make it work you is Just puck one..



"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
Hello Hot-text,
Thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure I understand you correctly:

The ribbon cable has two connectors; the one closer to the motherboard is
connected to the RW, and the farther away (at the end of the ribbon) is
connected to the ROM.

The jumpers on both optical drives are set to cable select.

Are you saying the ROM should be plugged in closer to the motherboard, and
the jumper set to Master? And the RW connects at the end or the ribbon
cable, and jumper set to Cable select?

I appreciate your help.

Clem.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
#1 Master
#2 CSEL
for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"C.M.G." wrote in message
...
There is just one ribbon cable, with two different connectors, for the
two optical disc drives. If the cable were defective, disabling the
CD-RW read and write function on the "E" drive, would one expect the
DVD+RW on the same drive to still work (which it does)? And if different
portions of the cable are responsible for CD vs DVD R/W, which cable
would I use (since there only appears to be one)? Would it make sense to
switch the "D" and "E" drive connectors?

Thanks,

Clem.

"Rick Merrill" wrote in message
...
JD wrote:
C.M.G. wrote:
Initial post:

===================
I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently
works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to
record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3
different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same CD-RWs
work
normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not
read
rewritable CDs.
===================

I have now uninstalled itunes, real, quicktime, some video viewing
utility
the name of which I've forgotten (shipped with Dell), and I've rolled
back
windows media player from v11 to v9.

Updates are all current, though I use xp pro sp2, not sp3. When sp3
first
came out, I installed it, but something stopped working, don't quite
remember what, so I rolled back to sp2.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,


Try a different cable to connect the drive.


The simplest suggestion IS often the best.

Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes of
the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be working
fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently tried
to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same
CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to read
pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs and the
CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower refectivity than
CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then the reflected beam is
too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.

Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes of
the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be working
fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently tried
to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I have
tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The same
CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to read
pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs and the
CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower refectivity than
CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then the reflected beam is
too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.

And the New One is Master by default
and the Old the is CSEL

for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"CMG" wrote in message
...
Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes
of the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be working
fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I
have tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The
same CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to
read pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs and
the CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower refectivity
than CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then the reflected
beam is too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.

And the New One is Master by default
and the Old the is CSEL

for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"CMG" wrote in message
...
Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes
of the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be working
fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I
have tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The
same CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to
read pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs and
the CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower refectivity
than CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then the reflected
beam is too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.

Thanks! C.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
And the New One is Master by default
and the Old the is CSEL

for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"CMG" wrote in message
...
Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes
of the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be
working fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I
have tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The
same CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to
read pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs
and the CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower
refectivity than CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then
the reflected beam is too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.

Thanks! C.

"Hot-text" wrote in message
...
And the New One is Master by default
and the Old the is CSEL

for Rom always
it will work and the Errors will go a way


"CMG" wrote in message
...
Hello M.I.5¾,

You were right after all! After messing around with other possible causes
of the problem, I finally bought another new drive. It seems to be
working fine!

Thanks,

Clem.

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message
...

"C.M.G." wrote in message
...

win xp professional version 2002, sp2
Pentium 4, 2.8 ghz, 1 gb ram

I have a CD/DVD ROM and CD/DVD RW.

I use the RW drive for backups, usually to DVD+RW; this currently works
well.

I have used CD-RW in the past, but not in quite a while. I recently
tried to record a CD-RW, but the drive does not recognize the disc. I
have tried 3 different kinds of CD-RW, all with the same problem. The
same CD-RWs work normally in my laptop (same OS).

The ROM reads DVDs and non re-writable CDs normally, but does not read
rewritable CDs.

Any ideas where to start tackling this?


Yes. The CD laser has died. Most DVD/CD drives use the DVD laser to
read pre mastered CDs but this doesn't work with CD-R and CD-RW discs
and the CD laser has to be used. CD-RW discs have a much lower
refectivity than CD-R and if the laser doesn't have enough power then
the reflected beam is too dim to be read correctly.

Failing lasers are the single most common failure mode of both computer
DVD/CD drives and also CD audio and DVD video players/recorders. A
typical life of 2 years is actually about average for a computer drive.
Fortunately, they are cheap to replace.