CD burning

[karenmac60]

I recently did a factory reset on Mr Mac's computer and since then he can't burn cds. I downloaded the latest media player for his OS (vista home) and he has 2 burners, one internal one external. He's tried various different types of disc and different burning speeds. Some have burned on the slowest speed but then won't play, but usually it goes through the whole process, gets to finalizing disc and it comes up 'burning failed, please select a slower speed or a different brand of disc'. This is happening with both burners - are they both just bu99ered or is there something I'm missing?
Cheers
Karen

[galeck1947]

What burn program are you using? You can get Nero 9 for free from their web site , It is a cut down version but has the basics of what you need. Are you using Media Player 11 or 12 Are the drives fully recognised by the OS ? I would check each one to see if they have all their features and the latset software from their manufacturers. Also the latest drivers.

[AlBags]

Karen ..
What software you using to burn?
What discs are you using .. exactly?

[karenmac60]

Hi, he's just using the media player to burn (I think!) although Nero is installed, and I'm not sure about all the discs he's tried and thrown away but at the moment he's using Maxell cd-r 700mb up to 52x. Both drives are recognised and as I said it seems to be going through the whole process right up till the last minute - or else it says burn successful but the discs won't play.

[AlBags]

I luv burning .. I do lots .. mainly dvd's.
First thing to check is to go into Device Manager .. know where that is? // R Click My Computer/Properties/Hardware/Dev Manager/
Look down list for IDE or SATA controllers ..
In those entries will be Advanced tabs with entries for the attached Drives. Select DMA mode if available .. or DMA.
If you see the options .. you DO NOT WANT PIO mode anywhere. This will create problems for sure .. burning.
It may be you have no entries there you can change.
Report back madam : )

[karenmac60]

Ok, in device manager there is IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. When I click that I then have a list - Primary IDE Channel

[karenmac60]

Oops, don't know how that added!
Primary IDE channel
Primary IDE channel
Secondary IDE channel
Secondary IDE channel
Standard dual channel PCI IDE conroller
VIA bus master IDE controller.
I can't see how to get advanced tabs, right clicking only gives me scan for hardware changes and properties. I'm stuck!

[karenmac60]

oh, wait. I've found something. Gimme a mo :)

[karenmac60]

They are all set to DMA if available

[AlBags]

OK ..

and what is listed in both secondary channels on that tab as the "current transfer mode"? We don't want PIO in any of them. Should be all listed as "Ultra DMA something or other"

[karenmac60]

One is ultra DMA 2 and the other is Automatic and then DMA (as far as I can remember)

[AlBags]

OK. Device manager again ..
Look under DVD/CD Rom Drives .. expand. Record the name/model of drives. Double click the drives and on last tab, record the nimber after the name ... (e.g. ...... 1.07) for each drive. That is the firware number. Check them for me : )

[karenmac60]

HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4084N USB Device
details - USBSTOR\CDROM&VEN_HL-DT-ST&PROD-DVDRAM_GSA-40
84N&REV_KQ09\6&3368EEA5&0

LITE-ON COMBO SOHC-5236V
details - IDE\CDROMLITE-ON_COMBO_SOHC-5236v____________
__RR$5______\30323630323032303030323037343332
0202020

[AlBags]

The decimal number on it's own at the end of the long line (after the name of drive, but before the long drivel after the \)

[AlBags]

(It might be a few letters .. up to 4 on a Liteon)

[karenmac60]

That was absolutely everything that was there

[AlBags]

OK ... I'll try and fathom from that! x

[karenmac60]

Thank you good sir x

[AlBags]

(not forgotten like you thought) : )

[karenmac60]

I know you would never forget little old me ;) x