Does Not Recognize that blank CD is in Drive

[Jerry B.]

When I try to burn an audio CD using Roxio v9 I receive the message, "Please insert a blank or rewritable CD into the HL-DT-ST DVDRW DL Drive," even though there is a new CD in there. When I insert a DVD, I receive the message, "The blank disk you have inserted does not have enough free space for the image file you selected. Please insert a 327 MB disk." The disk that I am using is a new, blank Memorex DVD-R with 4.7GB capacity. Has anyone had a similar problem? I am hoping that this is a software problem instead of a hardware problem. The CD/DVD drive is a 16X DVD+/-R/RW dual layer RAM LightScribe optical disk drive. The computer is a HP Pavilion Media Center PC with 2.0 GB memory and 500 GB hard drive and I am using Windows XP.

[Jerry B.]

Wouldn't you know it. After fretting for much too long thinking my burning of audio CD's problem was with the software I decided to replace the CD/DVD drive, and, lo and bebold, that solved the problem. The new drive was $46.55 including tax so I feel that I got off lightly. I apprecate all the advice I was given and I did learn a few things during the ordeal. Thanks everyone.

[gi7omy]

Glad you're up and running again - and just think, a few years back you'd probably have had to pay up to 10 times that price for a new drive

 

Any other problems, feel free to ask

[Jerry B.]

I removed the CD/DVD drive from the CPU, took the covers off of the drive, nothing looked out of place. Everything is spic and span --- no hairs or any obstructions. Reinstalled it but it still does not burn audio CD's. Using Roxio v9 software, it says 'Project Running'. In a little bit though I get the message, "There was a problem writing to the disc. You can try again by clicking the Retry button. You will need another blank disc ready." I tried four different 700MB CD-R's: Fujifilm, Maxell, eWorks black vinyl and GQ 'Great Quality'. All to no avail. Michel, your tale of your wife's fastidious vacuuming habits gave me a chuckle. My wife is like that too --- which I appreciate.

[tbrewst]

For starters do you see the drive in Device Manager with no yellow !'s or X's.

[gi7omy]

Check by using the inbuilt Windows software to write to a CD (it uses session writing and is a vbery basic writer app). If that still fails, then you may have a faulty drive

 

btw - the 'CPU' is the little square thing on top of the motherboard inside the case with a dirty big fan on top of it - you took the drive from the case

[Michel Daoust]

If your problem was with the drive, may be you can try to clean the optic lens of your old drive with a q-tip and alcool even if it seems clean ...just a little film of dust can get a drive out of function.

 

Your old drive can be installed in your system and can be usefull if you want to copy a DVD from drive to drive or as a back-up

[Jerry B.]

There are no yellow !'s or X's and when I open the Properties for this drive it says, "This device is working properly." In trying to get a solution from HP earlier they told me that the CD/DVD drive was bad. I can still copy audio CD's from this drive to the hard drive and it still reads data DVD's so I feel that they copped out by telling me that. In checking for a replacement on the Internet I found prices of $271.00 and $325.00 for refurbished units. That's quite a bit to pay for just wanting the ability to copy audio CD's. There has to be a simpler route to go. I do appreciate your help and advice.

[tbrewst]

That seems way high for a DVD drive.You should be able to pick one up for less than $50.

So Roxio sees the drive it just doesn't recognize the media?If so see if there is an updated firmware release on HP's site and install it.

[Michel Daoust]

I have a Hp Pavillion a1020n computer with a DVD Burner 640 b.

 

I had problems with this burner and even with the cd player (Assus S480)

They would not recongnise a blank DVD or Cd or a CD or DVD I have made.

I was ready to take my computer to be repaired, when I decided to try to clean these devices

I open the computer cover, disconnect the drivers and remove them, very easy to do, I am not an expert!

I saw that my computer was load with dust and hair from the cat and the dog, I blowed everything with a air compressed can.

 

I openned the drives, blowed the inside with compressed air can and cleaned everything that seems to be an optical reader with friction alcool and a Q-tip. I know that we are not supposed to use alcool to clean optic reader, but I have nothing to lost. To open the drives, you have only few screws to remove and a pin ( you insert that in the little hole in front of the drive) to open the drawer of the drive, that allowed you to remove the top of the drive and seen all the inside.

 

I reinstalled everything and it was working fine. My computer was not so old, about 2 years, but the fans sucks air inside it with all the dust and hairs. I have to repeat this cleaning procedure about every 6 months ... even if my wife is a vaccum cleaner maniac!