Cant burn a CD

[gordon_s1942]

For some reason I have been unable to burn a CD for some considerable time either from a CD to CD using copy of from Saved files on the computer.
It starts to burn but only about 10 to 30 seconds before it shows 'Fail' and ejects the disc.
The disc definately has been written to as you can see the files on 'Explore' but no other material.

But I can burn DVD's, dual or single layer using this same burner.
Generaly with a DVD I put the to be copied DVD into one a DVD ROM, use Shrink if needed or copy if not, the Blank into the other (Burner) and away it goes.

I have Nero7 Smart Essentials that used to say the 30 trial on the Mpeg2 Video was expired untill I found a key today and it now calls it Nero Premium.
The Expiry box has gone since I found this key today.
I have tried to use MS player, PowerDVD to burn but always with the same result.
I had hoped that by getting this 'Key' it might have fixed the problem but it aint.
Any suggestions please?

[porkchops]

From the information you have provided, sounds like a hardware problem - especially if you have tried different apps and getting the same result.

Another test you could do is download a live linux version, say Ubuntu to test your burner on CD's, although unfortunately this requires you to write the iso to a blank CD to work (catch 22)! If you could do this (have access to another computer to burn the CD) this could illiminate the OS as a cause of the CD burning problems...

[Woodstock]

sounds like the cdr media ya using is faulty as dvd-r's burning fine ..

[dashinson]

what about trying to write data files in windows explorer to CD does that work?

[viewer]

Sorry if this sounds like a dumb answer, but in Nero are you changing the top "TAB" in the burning menu, from DVD to CD when you try to burn?

[Aboulaly]

I had the same problem mate, it's a faulty DVD burner where it recognise DVDs but not CDs I got it changed under warranty.

[gordon_s1942]

Viewer, Not a dumb question at all but YES, I selected CD on the top tab and Aboulaly, that may well indeed be the problem.
Its as tho the Directory of the CD is being written too with all the relevant info but when it comes to burning the data, it dont.
I could understand a dodgey CD or 2 but not a dozen but nothing is impossible is it ??

[mandc]

I had the same problem mate, it's a faulty DVD burner where it recognise DVDs but not CDs I got it changed under warranty.

Yep highly likely. Have had the same thing happen to me....out of warranty

[gordon_s1942]

Thanks all for the replies, now to chase up a replacement and see what happens.

[gordon_s1942]

I was talking to a friend today and mentioned I was hoping to get a new DVD burner at last because of the previously posted comments and he said his had been doing almost the identical things like showing it was a CD burner in My Computer when a DVD was inserted or no disc at all etc and he was comming to the conclusion that this could be due to some Microsoft Patch we may have received.
It seems odd both have been acting up in this way if they were stuffed so again I am asking before I spend on a burner I may not need, if anyone else may have been experiencing similar problems recently??
I have 2, one is a DVD ROM, the other RAM and they seem to have swapped settings, and I cannot get the properties to select anything but 'Music Files' on start up.
Very annoying.

[Aboulaly]

well the only way to find out if your mates conclusion is true, is to format your computer and then try it before you install any Microsoft updates.

[mtv]

Gordon,

Try downloading and installing the latest drivers for your burner from the manufacturer.

I've found the same problem in the past with some types of media not being recognised and updating drivers fixed it.

[viewer]

Gordon...2nd what mtv says...I had same problem a while back and a redo via the manufacturers drivers fixed everything.

[gordon_s1942]

Both Drives are LiteOn's. one is a DVD-ROM DH-16D, the other a DH-20A.
I found updates for both but the 20A was an RAR file which I thought was a bit unusual.
Reboot etc and when I put in a disc, CD or DVD up comes the 'what to do' box which it hadnt done for awhile, plus DVD43 activated.
I played a region 2 DVD no problem but when I tried to copy via Shrink, it forecast 5 hours and 7 minutes for the copy, somewhat slow I thought.
Also the DVD-RAM when a disc is inserted, it shows on control panel its a CD-RAM but in green was the -DVD,it also opens the 'What to do box' is the CD options.
Remove the DVD and the icon shows its a DVD-RAM.
Still no go with burning a CD, burnt the directory then said DMA Driver Error CRC ERROR.
So I am going to bed and to hell with it.
Thanks again for everyones help.

[mandc]

Both Drives are LiteOn's. one is a DVD-ROM DH-16D, the other a DH-20A.
I found updates for both but the 20A was an RAR file which I thought was a bit unusual.
Reboot etc and when I put in a disc, CD or DVD up comes the 'what to do' box which it hadnt done for awhile, plus DVD43 activated.
I played a region 2 DVD no problem but when I tried to copy via Shrink, it forecast 5 hours and 7 minutes for the copy, somewhat slow I thought.
Also the DVD-RAM when a disc is inserted, it shows on control panel its a CD-RAM but in green was the -DVD,it also opens the 'What to do box' is the CD options.
Remove the DVD and the icon shows its a DVD-RAM.
Still no go with burning a CD, burnt the directory then said DMA Driver Error CRC ERROR.
So I am going to bed and to hell with it.
Thanks again for everyones help.

Mate, go CONTROL PANEL.....SYSTEM........[HARDWARE if using XP]...DEVICE MANAGER.......DVD CD DRIVES......[right click]PROPERTIES for each drive and note its location [eg channel 2] then go back to DEVICE MANAGER and open IDE ATA CONTROLLERS.....then open each channel that has a dvd drive on it and go ADVANCED SETTINGS. This will tell you the DMA status of your drives....sometimes they can get locked on PIO mode and are next to useless unless reset back to DMA.

Just an idea that is probably worth checking out. If it is in PIO mode, the drive cannot read or write fast enough and will run out of buffer and ruin a burn after a few seconds...just like you described in post 1.

[puca]

Gordon save yourself any further frustration change the burner have had similar errors before with burners all were fixed with a new burner

[gordon_s1942]

Puca, NOW you tell me !!!!!

But your dead right so far Puca as I bought new LG brand burner today, installed it this afternoon and burnt a CD, AT LAST, YEAAAAHHH and did a disc to disc DVD, not sure if it was an AVI od DVD but it copied.
I will take the LiteON to a friend and hwe can play with it in another computer just to see what it does.
If it doesnt work, then its a Hardware problem, if it does work, its a Software problem.
It could NEVER have been me that was the problem as I told my Wife I am too Perfect !!
The doctors tell me with medication and councelling, hopefully she will stop laughing hysterically in a few months but I still cant see what I said wrong, can you ???

Thanks for your help Ababouly, MTV, Viewer, Mandc and Puca, very much appreciated.

[viewer]

The wonders of technology...good to see you might retain some of your hair after a lot of grief.

I think your wife needs more medication...lol.

Good on you mate...things like that are soooooooo frustrating.

[puca]

sorry m8 i read this thread the other week and meant to reply but got side tracked (cook wanted my body ) looked again today and noticed you still having dramas so through my 2 bobs worth in
glad to see you finally got it sorted