DVD Writer?

[radhak]

My Apple iMac has always been finicky burning DVDs - writing one, then rejecting another, with a 'bad media' error.

My Dell Dimension came with a DVD/CD Writer which worked well all these years. Now I am unable to burn any DVD with it, even data folders; errors out somewhere in the burn process (have not tested writing a CD).

I wanted to troubleshoot it, but did not know where to start. So am thinking maybe I should replace it, or get an external writer.

Any comments, suggestions, recommendations?

I am still on XP SP3.

[LCHIEN]

My Apple iMac has always been finicky burning DVDs - writing one, then rejecting another, with a 'bad media' error.

My Dell Dimension came with a DVD/CD Writer which worked well all these years. Now I am unable to burn any DVD with it, even data folders; errors out somewhere in the burn process (have not tested writing a CD).

I wanted to troubleshoot it, but did not know where to start. So am thinking maybe I should replace it, or get an external writer.

Any comments, suggestions, recommendations?

I am still on XP SP3.

I imagine just replace it. I have gone thru a number of CD drives, the lasers seem to have a limited lifetime.

New DVD/CD writers only go for about $20-25, with the LaserScribe feature even. You probably have a IDE drive (34-pin flat cable) (not SATA) so make sure you get the right one. Try NewEgg.com

The Laser scribe allows you to flip the disk over (you have to get the Laser scribe blank DVDs with the Matte writing surface) and write a label on it using the laser to write graphics and text to it using free or commercial software.

If the new one works, then the old one was bad. IF you get the old one working then you have two drives to make copying easier.

[jdon]

Some points to consider:

A couple of years ago I helped my FIL install a DVD writer in his Dell Dimension (don't recall model, and I'm not all that familiar with Dells). IIRC, Dell used proprietary connectors, such that the only place to buy a drive that would work was directly from Dell. The price was a significant premium over the street price of standard interface drives.

If you plan on keeping your Dell for some time, it may not be an issue. However, if you're likely to upgrade in the foreseeable future, make sure that the drive you get could be transferred to the new PC.

Otherwise, and external drive works great, especially compared to laptop internal drives (in case you might get a laptop at some time.

Installing a drive is a snap (as long as it's plug compatible), so don't hesitate, if that's the way you want to go.

[RayintheUK]

Before you try anything else, go to Control Panel, System, Device Manager, click your way to the drive and uninstall it. Now switch off the computer totally. On the restart, the drive should be discovered and the relevant driver installed. If you are asked, choose "reinstall driver" rather than "use existing."

Most of the drive failures are software-related, since so many "improvements" are being made all the time with updates. There are millions of lines of code in the operating system, so not surprising a few glitches can occur.

If a re-installation doesn't work, then the drive is probably toast - but give it a try first, you never know!

BTW, LightScribe (to give the HP invention its correct name) is a really slow process compared to inkjet disk printing (if your printer can handle them). If not, then it's OK for labelling and graphics, but mind-numbingly slow, no matter how quick your computer might be.

Ray

[Uncle Cracker]

BTW, LightScribe (to give the HP invention its correct name) is a really slow process compared to inkjet disk printing (if your printer can handle them). If not, then it's OK for labelling and graphics, but mind-numbingly slow, no matter how quick your computer might be.

A double ditto on what Ray says here. It's the kinda slow where you start the "scribing", than go to sleep. It'll be ready in the morning...

You also can't do color, but it does eliminate the need for the disk labels, and makes for a professional look much more impressive than a sharpie marker...

You need one piece of software to enable the drive to LightScribe, and another compatible piece of software to set up the graphical instructions for the label designs you produce. Some burners come with with all or part of this, but OEM-packaged drives most likely do not, so you will have to go online and get them yourself in that case.

[sparkeyjames]

I recently picked up a SATA Sony DVD/CD burner from newegg.com. $20.00 plus $5 shipping. Works quite well.

[LCHIEN]

Sorry LightScribe is the correct name.
Yeah it takes 20 minutes or so to label the disc - its not real fast.
And the printing is monochrome and its relatively low contrast.
But it does kinda look cool esp. compared to a sharpie marker.
and its essentially free for competitively priced drives. Works for both DVDs and CDs.

Its nice to give someone a CD or DVD of pictures you took at their event and put their face on the disc.

[JoeyGee]

Some points to consider:

A couple of years ago I helped my FIL install a DVD writer in his Dell Dimension (don't recall model, and I'm not all that familiar with Dells). IIRC, Dell used proprietary connectors, such that the only place to buy a drive that would work was directly from Dell. The price was a significant premium over the street price of standard interface drives.

If you plan on keeping your Dell for some time, it may not be an issue. However, if you're likely to upgrade in the foreseeable future, make sure that the drive you get could be transferred to the new PC.

Otherwise, and external drive works great, especially compared to laptop internal drives (in case you might get a laptop at some time.

Installing a drive is a snap (as long as it's plug compatible), so don't hesitate, if that's the way you want to go.

I don't know what Dimension you're talking about, but every Dell I have ever seen (and I have worked on hundreds) have either had an IDE optical drive or SATA.

[parnelli]

+1 on replacement.

Unless the speed is similar to the current offerings, and that something quick and simple like uninstalling and reinstalling the driver fixes it.

I've never had one last past a couple years.

[Kristofor]

New DVD/CD writers only go for about $20-25, with the LaserScribe feature even. You probably have a IDE drive (34-pin flat cable) (not SATA) so make sure you get the right one. Try NewEgg.com

IDE connectors are 40 pin (though often 80 conductor, so don't count the wires in the cable) or sometimes 44 pin (usually for laptop drives, includes power)

A couple of years ago I helped my FIL install a DVD writer in his Dell Dimension (don't recall model, and I'm not all that familiar with Dells). IIRC, Dell used proprietary connectors, such that the only place to buy a drive that would work was directly from Dell. The price was a significant premium over the street price of standard interface drives.
.

I've never seen one with a proprietary connector though I suppose anything is possible. Over the years I have seen IDE, SATA, SCSI of a few flavors, parallel interfaces, and maybe even firewire, but there's a 99% chance this machine will need an IDE or STAT drive.

There are some small form factor machines that use a laptop/server form-factor drive but the interfaces were still usually standard. At any rate, if its a full-size (I guess technically "half-height") 5-1/4" drive you should be fine.

[LinuxRandal]

I think Loring may have mistyped. Either that or was thinking of the old floppy connector.

Also, I am wondering if the "proprietary connection" was really a either low profile dvd or a laptop dvd drive. (some tiny cases use those, and I have seen people to think they are something special, since you can't pick one off most shelves)

[radhak]

Great info, thanks all!

I actually have two drives in the Dell (one read-only), and both are IDE. Haven't counted the pins yet.

Good idea - shall definitely remove and re-install the drivers first.

My first preference would be an external drive - for flexibility and for the real chance that I might soon move away from this 7 year old machine ! My only concern was if an external is slower or has less dependability (as in, more 'coasters').

The price ranges quoted seem so heartening. There was a time any such used to be much more expensive!

LightScribe is interesting - might look out for it. I have a MP530 which I was able to 'hack' (with online help) to write to CDs - their international model has this ability but they were unable to offer it here for whatever reasons. And funnier still - I have not used it yet; the sharpie is always at hand ! But I shall try it out now to check.

[parnelli]

My first preference would be an external drive - for flexibility and for the real chance that I might soon move away from this 7 year old machine ! My only concern was if an external is slower or has less dependability (as in, more 'coasters').

The price ranges quoted seem so heartening. There was a time any such used to be much more expensive!

LightScribe is interesting - might look out for it. I have a MP530 which I was able to 'hack' (with online help) to write to CDs - their international model has this ability but they were unable to offer it here for whatever reasons. And funnier still - I have not used it yet; the sharpie is always at hand ! But I shall try it out now to check.

An external would be slower and more expensive.

As others have mentioned- they're pretty cheap nowadays if you end up having to get one. Newegg has 3 internal SATA 24xDVD 48x CD drives for under $22 including shipping. I've seen them on sale for 18 dollars occasionally. The IDE drives are a couple dollars more at 25 including shipping.

The externals seem to start at $40 and go up from there. Also the speeds are typically 8x and 24x