Reagon

OK fine but I managed to burn a single DVD+R disc with the configuration above and then nothing. I know all too well that if there are 2 CD/DVD writers, that windows will automatically only allow one to write at a time and so the recording tab will disappear from the external drive. This does happen but why does the recording tab not reappear when I uninstall one drive. The registry says that it is a type "2" drive, i.e. recorder but there is no tab visible. I restart an it reappears. I then uninstall the built in writer and enable cd writing on the now appeared recording tab. Double check on the Registry that the drive is a recordable one then start Nero. The burning process starts then in the dialogue screen it says that the device is not available. I then check the drive properties and it has lost its recording tab. All this with one dvd writer installed. I don't understand why I was able to burn a single DVD+R when both Nero and InCD were installed and suddenly stop being able to. It makes no sense. BTW why didn't you suggest to use windows to uninstall InCD? It seems to me that all these software companies(Microsoft, Roxio and Nero) all want us to spend money to buy upgrades all the time and provide little sensible support.

OK...I was never confused about DLA and DMA. Some success this morning. I eventually removed Sonic DLA and still couldn't burn CDR or DVD+R. I then uninstalled Sonic Record Now and Sonic Endoders and tried to burn with Windows but no luck. I then installed the Nero StartSmart Essentials (and In CD 6)that came with the External writer. Lo and behold I can now write to Memorex DVD+R using the external Samsung DVD writer...and the DVD can be played on my laptop, ASDA DVD player (very cheap), Technika TV/DVD but not on Samsung blu-ray player (with latest firmware upgrade). Soon afterwards then Windows started playing up. It began automatically switching my External writer to the source drive and my laptop drive to the burner and despite disabling cd writing on the laptop drive the recording tab doesn't want to reappear on the external writer. It seems like a combined effort between Windows and Sonic to limit pc users to a certain amount of cd/dvd writing. I may be wrong but, why doesn't Windows or Sonic solve this common issue. Maybe if everyone continued to use working older writing software, they wouldn't have to buy new ones. Could it be that the reason that Sonic came pre-installed with windows is that a deal was struck between these 2 parties to limit the the amount of time that individuals can use their software for free.

That was my next step although I tried it before and it didn't help. Still don't know why the external DVD writer will not work. Will try on Win 98 laptop providing it doesn't crash. The other option that should work is to disable DLA on the drive properties to write CDR/DVD+R. Will let you know.

Ok...some progress as I suspected. My built in laptop dvd writer burns to both dvdrw (Packard Bell media)and cdrw (TDK disc). I just cant get the new external dvd writer to burn on either of these. I delieve that its Sonic DLA (drive letter access) that's the issue and in both instances when it burnt data, the drive was in DLA mode. Strange thing started happening though. One or both drives started disappearing from view in My Computer window and both still recognisable by Sonic. Furthermore, the recording tabs kept disappearing at will and reappeared at will but had to restart a couple of times. Checked the Registry and both drives are able to write, i.e. "2". I assume that I am unable to use the external writer as Windows only allows one writer to be present at any time. I will have to try and disable/uninstall the inbuilt writer to see if the external one will work. I'll be back. BTW didn't have to stop any antivirus etc.

Final try...will turn off all other programs including antivirus and fire wall. Then Ill try a cd followed by a cdrw then dvd and dvdrw. Wish me luck.

Thanks guys. Got the dvd writer back from my friend today and he didn't try to burn anything. He just wanted to use it to try and reformat his hard drive as his dvd drive isn't working...bugger.

No I haven't contacted Nero but seeing that I had the problem even before buying the external dvd writer that came with the Nero software, I assume that Nero is not the issue. I also know that Nero has some incompatible issues with Win Xp. Even tried the basic Windows cd writing by right clicking on files and sending to the drive the trying to write using the wizard but no use with either writer.

Re: Have you tried using your external writer on another computer (friends/neighbor's). - just asked a friend to try burning with the external dvd writer today so he has it today. My other desktop is kaput ...suddenly stopped turning on and the other laptop is too old...Win 98...keeping for old times sake...still works. You have tried other program's, as well as Roxio's and they ALL fail....its worth a try. - I used Nero 10, Ashampoo, cheetah, ...lost track on which ones I am assuming you have updated your burners firmware/drivers. - Its updated on the laptop to the latest on the Toshiba's website. The Samsung firmware is up to date as its new. I nevertheless tried to update it but was told that its the latest firmware that is already installed. ...and yes I did do everything in the link Resolving General Burning Issues Knowledgebase Article : 000008GN Issue When burning a CD or DVD, you receive an error about your blank disc not being recognized, burning does not complete, or your media is rejected. Resolution Update your drive's firmware/drivers. Enable DMA. Your media. Check the following: The disc is clean and unused. The media is recommended by your burner's manufacturer or try a different brand, preferably a name brand, if you continue to have problems. Make sure that media (-R/+R, -/+RW, dual-layer compatibility) is supported by the burner by checking burner's manual or manufacturer's website. This is especially true for some Blu-Ray burners which do not support CD-R/RW media. Lower the write speed of your burner. If your burner is external, make sure it is connected directly to the computer via USB/Firewire and not a hub or other other device like a sound card. Update to the latest PX Engine. The PX Engine improves compatibility with newer burners on the market. A reinstall of the burner's drivers.

Thanks for the advice pal but I have done all that already, i.e. been through the Roxio website and none of their tips help. I will try one more thing...stop the antivirus and as much programs as possible in case its a memory problem/buffer underrun. I'll keep you posted.

Found out what the error codes mean (http://www.isobuster.com/help.php?help=305). In essence its a write error. I have tried Sony, Philips, Memorex and Verbatim. The Verbatim went to 2/3 through the writing process then gave up. This is so frustrating.

New sense code error using Memorex DVD+R discs on external Samsung DVD writer. Sense: 00 ASC: 00 ASCQ: 00 (Command 35) ------------------------------------------------------- Px.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxafs.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxdrv.dll: 1.2.47.0 PxMas.dll: 4.18.16.0 PxSFS.DLL: 4.18.16.0 PxWave.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxwma.dll: 1.0.0.3 Maybe someone out there knows what these numbers in the 1st line mean.

It started to look promising with the external dvd writer but it stopped 2/3 the way through. Progress, at least it went further than 1/10.

Did it but no difference except that the sense code error differs a bit as follows; Sense: 03 ASC: 73 ASCQ: 03 (Command 2A) ------------------------------------------------------- Px.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxafs.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxdrv.dll: 1.2.47.0 PxMas.dll: 4.18.16.0 PxSFS.DLL: 4.18.16.0 PxWave.dll: 4.18.16.0 pxwma.dll: 1.0.0.3 Tried with DLA enabled and disabled on the drive too...no difference. I was using a Verbatim DVD+R and Sonic recognised the disc as empty.

1: Sonic Record Now Ver. 7.31, build 731b20c Engine 418b 16m 1.2.47. 2: There are no exclamation marks in device manager. 3: All my drives are present and clearly visible in the Record now program. 4: To answer your 4th possible question, the drive that I am using has cd writing enabled on it on the drive properties.

Just in case you want to know. I have enabled cd writing in the drive properties as well as enable DMA. Neither of the my drives work...the 5 year old Matsushita(in built) or the new 2011 Samsung. I tried writing to each drive sequentially after reformatting the hard drive to isolate the problem but didn't even work after immediately after the factory restore. Both old and new drives can't be bad and neither can the discs that I am using since some of the verbatim were written on by the samsung drive. Is this a means by which Sonic or Microsoft is/are trying to get us to buy upgrades. I am not sure that I want to as I have already spent the equivalent of a new program on hardware.