Blank Disc Inconsistently Recognized

[jimd-ks]

I keep getting the following Roxio Creator 2009 error message when trying to do a DVD-to-DVD copy: Please insert a blank DVD into the TSSTcorp DVDRW DL (E:) drive

with the OK and Cancel buttons.

 

I have read the ‘Resolving General Burning Issues’ posting and attempted to resolve this item by:

1. Switched DVD media brand; now using: Verbatim 2.4x DVD+R DL

2. Verified DVD drive ‘drivers’ are current

3. Reinstalled current DVD drive ‘drivers’

4. Updated to PX Engine 4.10.28a

 

I am using a Dell 8600 running Windows Vista Home, Roxio Creator 2009 (v1.1.110;4.12.00a), with a Samsung External DVD Writer Model SE-S084 (direct connect USB).

 

I am trying to do a DVD-to-DVD copy using my Dell DVD ROM as the source drive and the Samsung drive for the blank media output, being able to write DVD+R DL media. I am using the Roxio Copy Disc function.

 

When the Copy Disc screen comes up it correctly identifies both drives:

Dell = HL-DT-ST DC-R/W (D)

Samsung = TSSTcorp DVDRW DL (E)

It also states: Please insert a disc (under each drive identified)

 

It correctly identifies each disc when they are inserted:

Dell source: Single layer DVD ROM, Closed, DVD-Video (PDCC_DISC_5)

Samsung output: DVD+R DL, Blank Media

 

The error noted above pops up shortly after I select the ‘Go’ button to start the copy. I have tried other discs and I have tried to copy using the single E: drive with temporary memory image and still get the same error as soon as I try to get the copy written.

 

I have managed to successfully copy three DVD’s using both dual and single drive options but I have had this same error come up periodically. I thought I had resolved it once when I changed media but then the error came back and won’t go away.

 

Why would Roxio recognize the blank disc correctly when it is first loaded but not as soon as it tries to copy to it? Roxio also correctly identifies the blank disc using the ‘Get Disc Info’ function.

[grandpabruce]

Yep, a big step backward in reliability. Still, we have to hope for improvements at some point. Or do we?

 

That would be a dream, not reality.

[jimd-ks]

Thanks to all who have replied.

 

Big_Dave:

I verified the DVD drivers via Samsung but I didn't specifically query for firmware. However, I just purchased the drive new from MicroWarehouse about a week ago.

 

The DVD being copied is a DVD ROM. However, I have copied 3 from a set of 5 successfully. The discs are a single set of DVD videos from a conference and are not copy protected, as evidenced by completing 3 successfully.

 

I have over 30GB of free HD space so that should not be a problem.

 

Report to Roxio? - I'll have to look at how to 'officially' report the problem to Roxio. It looks like I may have made an erroneous assumption. I was thinking that Roxio would monitor these groups to 'catch and resolve problems' ahead of the curve; since that would be a very proactive way to impress their users.

 

 

sknis:

I may end up trying your DVD to ISO, etc, option just to get the job done.

 

 

 

 

[gi7omy]

No need to report it - most of us old-timers here have already made our feelings known on that issue - whether or not Sonic go along with what we said or not is a different matter entirely

[cdanteek]

Unless I missed something in nine posts? Why would you use a copy program with the source disc as a single layer DVD, copying to a DL DVD?

 

cd

[jimd-ks]

cd -

 

Four out of five (3 successfully copied) of the source discs are DL and I didn't realize one of the discs was going to be single layer. I only had DL discs available without making a special trip to the store to buy single layer for the one single layer disc.

 

It seems reasonable to me that there should not be a problem with the target disc having excess capacity from a technical perspective. I can see an obvious problem if the source were DL and target was single layer. It also doesn't explain why Roxio would issue an error about the disc not being blank, regardless.

 

Jim

[grandpabruce]

cd -

 

Four out of five (3 successfully copied) of the source discs are DL and I didn't realize one of the discs was going to be single layer. I only had DL discs available without making a special trip to the store to buy single layer for the one single layer disc.

 

It seems reasonable to me that there should not be a problem with the target disc having excess capacity from a technical perspective. I can see an obvious problem if the source were DL and target was single layer. It also doesn't explain why Roxio would issue an error about the disc not being blank, regardless.

 

Jim

 

I believe there is a problem doing that. Try again, once you have some single layer discs.

 

[cdanteek]

Four out of five (3 successfully copied)

 

I just tested this, the only way I could reproduce it, is place a disc in the destination drive that wasn't blank!

 

cd

[jimd-ks]

I successfully copied my single layer source DVD to a single layer output Taiyo-Yuden DVD today.

 

I appreciate all the feedback and the learning experience; although a bit frustrating at first, thinking it would be a quick task. Learning is a gain in the long run, though.

 

My thanks to all who responded and provided the direction I needed.

 

 

Jim

[cdanteek]

I successfully copied my single layer source DVD to a single layer output Taiyo-Yuden DVD today.

 

 

cd

[jimd-ks]

Jim_Hardin

cd

 

Thanks again. I guess I was a bit naive to think that a basic Copy Disc would be a no-brainer like it is on hard disk.

 

I did look at my installed firmware version (TS00) and checked Samsung site to find out that it is the current version. I then took some time to review what their manual said about firmware (which I didn't expect I would need to do to find out how to copy a disc). Their manual mentions items that you had pointed out about recommended media based on the media being registered with the firmware. The only media they recommend for DVD+/-R Dual is MKM.

 

I then did some research, including the Media Forum on this site, to find out that MKM is the parent company of Verbatim (the discs I am using). I then used info from 'cd' about getting the MID to ensure that these Verbatim discs were made by MKM. I confirmed that they were MKM using the DVD Identifier tool.

 

My next step was to try to do a Copy Disc of my one remaining dual layer source disc to another one of the Verbatim DL blank discs since it looked like firmware, media, driver, etc were okay. That copied successfully. (I would have tried this earlier but the original source disc was defective and I was waiting for the replacement from the original seller of that disc. The problem with one of my originals is what prompted me to want to copy (for backup) the entire set so I wouldn't have to go back to the seller if one of these became defective later.)

 

That leaves me with the comment by 'cd' about the problem being with copying from single layer to dual layer. I will purchase some single layer Verbatim discs (MKM is one of the recommended here) on my next trip to the store for media. (We're having a snowstorm in my location today; so that will be tomorrow, or later.) After having the dual-to-dual work successfully again this appears to be the likely solution to copying that one remaining disc.

 

However, if I had used a single layer output earlier and it worked, I would have missed the opportunity to learn more about firmware and MID, etc.

 

Thanks again!

 

Jim

[cdanteek]

Jim,

 

you won't find Verbatim Single Layer DVD media with the MKM MID, only MCC MID...

 

cd

[jimd-ks]

cd - thx

 

I'll avoid that one since MCC isn't on their recommended list.

 

They also mention RICOH, Taiyo-Yuden, RiTEK, and CMC among the options for single layer.

 

Jim

[jimd-ks]

cd -

 

When you tried to reproduce the problem did Roxio indicate that the disc in the destination drive was Blank (even though it was not) immediately after you inserted the disc? I suspect it did not. I suspect it identified what was already recorded on the non-blank media.

 

In my case, Roxio identified the disc as blank on iniitial read after inserting the disc. Roxio did not reject the disc stating it was not blank until I selected the Go button. Roxio also did not change the line for the Samsung output, still indicating the disc was a blank even after rejecting the disc and opening the drawer to insert a new disc (which I tried to do with several addiitional discs). The Verbatim DL discs being used were purchased this past week; so they should not be defective due to age.

 

As stated in my initial post, this is what Roxio displayed for how it initially read source and target media:

It correctly identifies each disc when they are inserted:

Dell source: Single layer DVD ROM, Closed, DVD-Video (PDCC_DISC_5)

Samsung output: DVD+R DL, Blank Media

 

 

Jim

[cdanteek]

2. Verified DVD drive ‘drivers’ are current

3. Reinstalled current DVD drive ‘drivers’

 

What does that mean? I've never installed or reinstalled a CD Drives Driver, are you talking about a USB Driver?

 

I would check with Samsung on a firmware update for the drive.

 

I don't like USB optical drives. You would be better off replacing one, or adding one, in the Dell Desktop, at todays prices $21.99.

 

I recently recieved a free USB Drive, I tore it out of it's enclosure and discovered it is a SATA Lite-On Drive and fit well in my Desktop Case.

 

cd

[jimd-ks]

cd -

 

I do appreciate the time you have spent on this item.

 

This is what I did regarding the Samsung drive updates.

 

2. Verified DVD drive ‘drivers’ are current

I went into: Control Panel\Device Manager\DVD/CD-ROM drives, selected the Samsung drive, did a right mouse click and selected "Update Driver Software..."

Shortly after that, I received a message that drivers were current.

 

3. Reinstalled current DVD drive ‘drivers’

I went into: Control Panel\Device Manager\DVD/CD-ROM drives, selected the Samsung drive, did a right mouse click and selected "Uninstall" which then deleted the driver.

I then reconnected the Samsung drive which then automatically reinstalled the drivers.

 

 

I will go to the Samsung site to see if they have more to offer.

 

I do agree that the USB drive was probably a bad choice.

 

However, that doesn't mean Roxio doesn't have a problem, also. Roxio should NOT acknowledge a disc as a valid blank disc at one step and then reject it on the next step without a better explanation than indicating it wasn't really blank after all.

 

Jim

[Jim_Hardin]

I tried to duplicate this using a USB external drive with a blank DL in it and the source on my PC's Burner. Like cd results, no problems.

 

 

Drivers for burners rarely change from day one. What you want to look at is the Firmware installed. Using the Home app – Tools – Get Disc Information will tell you the Firmware Version. Then check the mfg site for updates.

 

Keep in mind that the Roxio program only repeats the error code it receives from the burner. It does not make up new ones.

 

[jimd-ks]

Jim_Hardin

cd

 

I will look into the firmware situation.

 

Thanks,

Jim

[cdanteek]

Jim_Hardin

cd

 

I will look into the firmware situation.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

Follow the directions to the letter, if power is lost during a firmware flash your drive could be toasted...

 

cd

[Big_Dave]

Are the firmware levels of your DVD drives are up-to-date?

 

It may not make a difference but are you trying to copy a DVD-R to a DVD+R?

 

Be sure that your HD has adequate free space to handle temporary file space.

[sknis]

I keep getting the following Roxio Creator 2009 error message when trying to do a DVD-to-DVD copy: Please insert a blank DVD into the TSSTcorp DVDRW DL (E:) drive

with the OK and Cancel buttons.

 

Copy the original DVD to an ISO file on your computer using Video Copy and Convert and then burn the ISO file to as many discs as you want.

 

You are using the copy from the home menu. Some people have problems with those home applications. Try using Video Copy and Convert aka "Copy and Convert DVD-Video" under either the Video or the data pages.

 

Of course if the original is a DRM (commercial) DVD, then that can't be done.

[Big_Dave]

Sknis,

 

That's a very good suggestion for the OP to try. I would also suggest that the OP report the problem to Roxio if it already hasn't been done. The product will not get better if Roxio doesn't know what to fix.

[gi7omy]

Problem is Dave that the 'fix' was changing Disc Copy to Video Copy and Convert

 

A definite retrograde step imho

[Big_Dave]

Yep, a big step backward in reliability. Still, we have to hope for improvements at some point. Or do we?