Burning a CD, was OK, now nothing!

petercharlesfagg · April 21, 2014, 09:38:37 PM

Friends,

Our family PC is running XP.

We have fitted in the server the usual DVD-CD rom player etc. A TEAC DV28EV

Anyway about 3 weeks ago I used it to rip and burn some music as MP3's.

Today after I had purchased some music as a gift from 7 digital and downloaded to my music folder I decided to burn a new CD.

As usual I opened Windows Media Player 11, dragged the files across, clicked "burn" and was informed that there was no burning software!

I clicked on "Computer" on the DVD/CD drive for properties and found that there was no software installed!

Following the advice from Microsoft, I uninstalled using the button provided, the driver, restarted, "New Hardware found, loading drivers" appeared on the desktop.

Opened Media Player, clicked on "Burn" and I was informed that no burning software.

Visited the TEAC site, downloaded driver programme, (New version), installed, still no response from Media Player!

Uninstalled Media player, downloaded updated version, no change!

Used Device Manager to check drive, "This device is working properly" I was informed!

Did "System Restore" to a week ago and was informed that "System Restore Cannot be completed"!

We do not have the original recovery disc!

What the heck is going on? A few ideas would be very welcome!

Regards, Peter.

cjdodd · April 21, 2014, 09:44:58 PM

I can't say I've ever used Windows Media Players burning feature.

But I'd recommend you give CDBurnerXP a try, it's free and can create all sorts of CD's. Data, Audio, Video etc...

https://cdburnerxp.se/en/home

Luke Piewalker · April 21, 2014, 09:51:01 PM

Is it a CD or a DVD? XP doesn't have native DVD support (as I discovered at the weekend) so if you put a DVD in and try to burn it it gets very confused...
Fortunately the PC in question has Nero on it and it worked fine.

petercharlesfagg · April 21, 2014, 10:14:50 PM

Quote from: cjdodd on April 21, 2014, 09:44:58 PM
I can't say I've ever used Windows Media Players burning feature.

But I'd recommend you give CDBurnerXP a try, it's free and can create all sorts of CD's. Data, Audio, Video etc...

https://cdburnerxp.se/en/home

Thankyou, downloaded programme, dragged files into burn box, clicked burn, info. "Insert Disc in E", inserted disc, repeated message "Insert Disc in E", Closed box, clicked burn, repeat message, "Insert Disc in E", gave up!

Peter.

petercharlesfagg · April 21, 2014, 10:16:59 PM

Quote from: Luke Piewalker on April 21, 2014, 09:51:01 PM
Is it a CD or a DVD? XP doesn't have native DVD support (as I discovered at the weekend) so if you put a DVD in and try to burn it it gets very confused...
Fortunately the PC in question has Nero on it and it worked fine.

Thankyou according to the info under My computer it is a DVD-Rom. It has worked fantastically up until now! I was putting in a CD to burn.

Peter.

Malc · April 21, 2014, 10:32:32 PM

Hi Peter, I take it that you have tried more than 1 blank CD in the drive?

dutchkev · April 21, 2014, 10:34:14 PM

I had problems burning cd's when using cheap discs from a leading super market chain. First One was fine, then I would get the message "There is no CD recorder installed"

longbridge · April 21, 2014, 10:36:26 PM

Could be a great time to make the switch to Linux Mint 13, which when loading onto the computer finds the drivers for everything so long as they are switched on.

I sympathize with you as XP was probably the best Windows OS but sadly now out of date makes it harder to recover if problems occur.

Malc · April 21, 2014, 10:38:27 PM

And also have you tried playing a DVD?

I run Linux Mint 16 and as Longbridge says, works faultlessly.

trainsdownunder · April 21, 2014, 10:44:23 PM

Have had this problem when I had a batch of "iffy" DVDs. Got them swapped at the shop and hey presto all working again.

It is possible though that the disc detector has failed in the unit. They do just suddenly pack up, in which case it's bin time. I found Novatech a good supplier at very competitive prices.

petercharlesfagg · April 22, 2014, 09:02:00 AM

Quote from: Malc on April 21, 2014, 10:32:32 PM
Hi Peter, I take it that you have tried more than 1 blank CD in the drive?

No, but now that you have said that, I will try!

Tried it! Same non result! It sounds as if the disc player is trying to start but not succeeding, it starts whirring then stops again, then tries again then stops!

I am beginning to think that the disc player is at fault?

Regards, Peter.

petercharlesfagg · April 22, 2014, 09:03:01 AM

Quote from: trainsdownunder on April 21, 2014, 10:44:23 PM
Have had this problem when I had a batch of "iffy" DVDs. Got them swapped at the shop and hey presto all working again.

It is possible though that the disc detector has failed in the unit. They do just suddenly pack up, in which case it's bin time. I found Novatech a good supplier at very competitive prices.

Thankyou, I think that you have hit the nail on the head! Time to open the server!!!

Peter.

scotsoft · April 22, 2014, 09:27:39 AM

Does your dvd drive take + or - dvds, or does it do both?

cheers John.

Malc · April 22, 2014, 10:27:38 AM

Good point John, an easy mistake to make.
Peter, are you using one of the same batch of DVDs that you used successfully last time? If so, it is either a virus as Paul suggests, or your drive has gone faulty. Fortunately, they are relatively cheap these days.

Ray Haddad · April 22, 2014, 10:29:48 AM

When you turn power off on a computer, the metal cools. When you turn it on, it heats up. This causes expansion and contraction of the metal. In turn, this causes pins on connectors to expand and contract. Cables can become loosened and work themselves out microscopic bit by microscopic bit over time. Here is what I suggest. Presuming you are using a desktop based on your drive description, remove the cover. On your drive, remove and immediately reinsert your cables. Do the same for the motherboard side of the cables.

Repeat the exercise that failed. See if that helps.