[rtbt]

Hello:

I am thinking about purchasing an external DVD, the Plextor PX-740UF, but it's not on the list of supported drives. Or maybe I should say that I couldn't find it on the list? Can someone please advise if this drive is supported by Roxio CD Creator?

Thanks,
rtbt

[grandpabruce]

rtbt, on Feb 21 2006, 04:51 PM, said:

Hello:

I am thinking about purchasing an external DVD, the Plextor PX-740UF, but it's not on the list of supported drives. Or maybe I should say that I couldn't find it on the list? Can someone please advise if this drive is supported by Roxio CD Creator?

Thanks,
rtbt

That list means absolutely nothing. The burner will work quite well with the software.

[ogdens]

Dual Layer, was first supported with EMC 7.1.

[rtbt]

Thanks Bruce, now I feel better about making the purchase.

rtbt

The reason I was so leary is the fact that my HP CD burner that came with my computer does not work with Creator Classic. Per HP tech support, it only works with the Sonic software that came with my computer. I can erase CDs with the HP drive, however, I cannot record anything using CD Creator.

rtbt

[grandpabruce]

rtbt, on Feb 21 2006, 06:31 PM, said:

Thanks Bruce, now I feel better about making the purchase.

rtbt

The reason I was so leary is the fact that my HP CD burner that came with my computer does not work with Creator Classic. Per HP tech support, it only works with the Sonic software that came with my computer. I can erase CDs with the HP drive, however, I cannot record anything using CD Creator.

rtbt

HP has no clue what they are talking about. It is a conflict between the Sonic software and Roxio EMC 7.**** that would cause the problem. If you dump the Sonic DLA, I would bet that your problems disappear.

[myguggi]

rtbt, on Feb 21 2006, 07:31 PM, said:

Thanks Bruce, now I feel better about making the purchase.

rtbt

The reason I was so leary is the fact that my HP CD burner that came with my computer does not work with Creator Classic. Per HP tech support, it only works with the Sonic software that came with my computer. I can erase CDs with the HP drive, however, I cannot record anything using CD Creator.

rtbt

I can't believe that your HP CD burner will only work with the Sonic Software. Putting such a restriction on any burner would make the burner pretty useless. What is the model number of your HP CD burner?

[JC]

What is really funny is that roxio/sonic are the same now

[rtbt]

I uninstalled the Sonic Software and that didn't help. My son installed a 2nd CD Burner that we took out of our old computer and that one works fine. It is an Artec WSM-522.

The HP burner that came with this computer is an HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-44818

Thanks,
rtbt

[myguggi]

rtbt, on Feb 21 2006, 10:33 PM, said:

I uninstalled the Sonic Software and that didn't help. My son installed a 2nd CD Burner that we took out of our old computer and that one works fine. It is an Artec WSM-522.

The HP burner that came with this computer is an HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-44818

Thanks,
rtbt

That HP burner (reads/writes CDs, only reads DVDs) is about 4 years old but should still work with Roxio when writing CDs.

[rtbt]

It should work but it doesn't. It goes through the entire recording process at a relatively conservative 16X speed after validating the Project. The process is completed, I close the session, but the CD shows up as a blank disc with all of it's original space still intact.

Note:

I can erase discs on this drive and when the Sonic software was installed, it would record.

rtbt

[grandpabruce]

rtbt, on Feb 22 2006, 05:58 PM, said:

It should work but it doesn't. It goes through the entire recording process at a relatively conservative 16X speed after validating the Project. The process is completed, I close the session, but the CD shows up as a blank disc with all of it's original space still intact.

Note:

I can erase discs on this drive and when the Sonic software was installed, it would record.

rtbt

You could try getting updated firmware for the drive, but it sounds more like the drive died. If you update the firmware for it, and it works, that is fine. If not, try the drive in another computer. If it doesn't work there, put it in the trash can, because it sounds like it is dead.

[tbrewst]

Just a note,if you do decide to buy that drive you might try TigerDirect.They have it on sale right now for $49.99 after rebate.

[ml]

rtbt, on Feb 22 2006, 05:58 PM, said:

It should work but it doesn't. It goes through the entire recording process at a relatively conservative 16X speed after validating the Project. The process is completed, I close the session, but the CD shows up as a blank disc with all of it's original space still intact.

Can you use any other software and get a successful burn on a CD?

[rtbt]

Hi Guys:

I did in fact purchase the external Plextor from TigerDirect. Both the computer and Roxio recognized it immediately and the first CD burned flawlessly. I still can't figure out why the HP won't work, but at least the Plextor appears to be working properly.

I must say the fan on the external drive is very noisy so I plan on turning off the unit when it's not in use.

Thanks for all of your help,
rtbt

[tbrewst]

Glad the new drive worked,too bad about the fan though.

[rtbt]

Hello:

If a noisy fan is the only problem I have with the drive, I'll be ecstatic. After all, I only burn 1 or 2 CDs per day. So turning off the unit when I'm not using the Plextor is no big deal. Functionality is much more important and it appears to be a well built/designed unit that works very well.

rtbt

[cdanteek]

rtbt, on Feb 25 2006, 12:25 PM, said:

Hello:

If a noisy fan is the only problem I have with the drive, I'll be ecstatic. After all, I only burn 1 or 2 CDs per day. So turning off the unit when I'm not using the Plextor is no big deal. Functionality is much more important and it appears to be a well built/designed unit that works very well.

rtbt

Your Plextor PX-740UF External drive is a rebadged BenQ 1640. Some have cross flashed it to the BenQ firmware and report a better burner.(google) All the externals I have came with relatively noisy fans. Quiet 40mm fans are available from Sunon from their spec page there's a 40mm model which is rated at only 18dBA quiet. It would void the warranty if replaced now.

cdanteek

[ml]

I'd just live with the noisy fan. At least you'll know if it stops working.

[rtbt]

Thanks guys, but I've already decided the noisy fan simply goes with having an external drive, and is nothing more than a minor irritant. And since the drive is in use only 10-20 minutes per day, it really is a non-issue.

I'm much more concerned with the functionality and performance of the drive, so far I'm impressed.

rtbt

[wrenchmonkey]

rtbt, on Feb 22 2006, 04:58 PM, said:

It should work but it doesn't. It goes through the entire recording process at a relatively conservative 16X speed after validating the Project. The process is completed, I close the session, but the CD shows up as a blank disc with all of it's original space still intact.

I can't get both of my burners to record with XP's native software, one will do the same thing. When I right-click the drive and click Properties, I can only enable one burner at a time for recording in the Recording tab. I don't know if this is inherent or an error on my computer.

Liteon SHM-165H6S external w/USB adapter
Toshiba SD-R2512 (internal notebook drive)