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View Full Version : CD burner issue or software issue?


ialsohaveadream
06-01-2005, 11:13 PM
I have a Dookie (tm) brand CD burner (I think it's actually Optorite or some other such generic), and Nero 5.5. The burner burns music CDs just fine, but will not burn data CDs. It will begin to build a buffer, whir really loudly, and just keep spinning without burning or making any other progress whatsoever.

Again, this problem doesn't happen when I'm burning an audio CD, only data or video. From your best guesses, is this a hardware or software issue? And do you guys have any suggestions?

Other possibly relevant info:
1. I've tried burning on several different brands of media, and at different burn speeds.
2. The burner is the slave drive, I have a good ol' fashioned CD-ROM for the master.
3. Dunkin Donuts makes some really, really good coffee.
4. The drive is about 8 months old.
5. While I am a nerd, I'm not a big enough nerd to give you weird technical specs like read time in milliseconds or some such. Dumb it down, people...dumb it down.

Also, I rarely venture into the hardware forums, so if someone wants to shoot me a PM when there's a decent answer (or further questions) for me, I'd greatly appreciate it.
eGoCeNTRoNiX
06-02-2005, 12:13 AM
I would think it may be software related. Because if it's burning music CDs then it would seem the burner is fine. You might try using a newer version of Nero and see what happens.. GL

eGo
brainsmile
06-02-2005, 12:18 AM
I'd vote software issue as well.
mechmike0034
06-02-2005, 08:40 AM
Go here, and download some freeware burning software:

http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php

Install it, try it, see if you can burn data with it. If you can, you have a Nero problem. If not, a burner problem.
BrewMaster
06-02-2005, 10:09 AM
Go here, and download some freeware burning software:

http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php

Install it, try it, see if you can burn data with it. If you can, you have a Nero problem. If not, a burner problem.
mechmike0034, the master of freeware.
Airencracken
06-02-2005, 11:09 AM
I think it's the lack of winchells doughnuts...

http://www.winchells.com/
ialsohaveadream
06-02-2005, 10:12 PM
Go here, and download some freeware burning software:

http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php

Install it, try it, see if you can burn data with it. If you can, you have a Nero problem. If not, a burner problem.
That was the most craptaculous software ever. It took all my computer's resources, bent them over the nearest desk, and dry-humped their leg like a dog in it's last pre-neutered hours. It managed to crash twice within 10 minutes, and I didn't come close to burning a CD with it.

Anybody have any other recommendations? I do like mike's suggestion to check out a different software program, though. That should help me figure out what I'm dealing with.
Nottoman
06-02-2005, 11:31 PM
After a very productive, enterprising, and stressful day, you post made me laugh so hard, I'm crying. Many thanks, I needed that.
:happy:
ceeka
06-03-2005, 01:55 PM
You could try the latest version of Nero:
http://ww2.nero.com/enu/Nero_6_Reloaded_Demoversion.php

If it works you can buy a the oem version of Nero 6 for $4:
http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/main.aspx?p=TEXTLISTbody&c=SOUTCD
mechmike0034
06-03-2005, 08:50 PM
That was the most craptaculous software ever. It took all my computer's resources, bent them over the nearest desk, and dry-humped their leg like a dog in it's last pre-neutered hours. It managed to crash twice within 10 minutes, and I didn't come close to burning a CD with it.

Anybody have any other recommendations? I do like mike's suggestion to check out a different software program, though. That should help me figure out what I'm dealing with.

I have never had a problem with it. Sorry you did. I have installed it on many ancient PII/PIII/Celeron/Athlon boxes without a problem.

Deep Burner is another freeware program worth a try.
mechmike0034
06-04-2005, 04:46 AM
mechmike0034, cheap SOB.

Fixed it for you... :)
mechmike0034
06-04-2005, 04:53 AM
Anybody have any other recommendations? I do like mike's suggestion to check out a different software program, though. That should help me figure out what I'm dealing with.

Are you running XP? Can you burn data using XP's built-in burning function?

Go to the Primary and Secondary IDE channels in Device Manager and make sure DMA is enabled for the drive. http://www.blackmaxpc.com/Guides/Enable_DMA.htm

Here's Deep Burner's free version: http://www.deepburner.com/download/DeepBurner1.exe
ialsohaveadream
06-04-2005, 01:46 PM
Are you running XP? Can you burn data using XP's built-in burning function?

Go to the Primary and Secondary IDE channels in Device Manager and make sure DMA is enabled for the drive. http://www.blackmaxpc.com/Guides/Enable_DMA.htm

Here's Deep Burner's free version: http://www.deepburner.com/download/DeepBurner1.exe
I am running XP, and not on an ancient beast, either. I've got a 2.8 P4. I didn't know there was a "burn data built-in burning function". Where would I find such a thing?
mechmike0034
06-06-2005, 05:40 AM
I am running XP, and not on an ancient beast, either. I've got a 2.8 P4. I didn't know there was a "burn data built-in burning function". Where would I find such a thing?

Sorry it took so long - I am at the beach with limited 'net access (posting from my laptop at a coffee shop with wi-fi)...

Go to Windows Help and Support and search "burn cds" - it'll walk you through it.