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waiting
06-15-2005, 09:54 AM
My DVD/CD-RW drive reads but does not write. Can this faulty drive corrupt my operating system?
edrod13
06-15-2005, 10:56 AM
Do you have some type of Authorizing or burning software installed? If you don't, the drive will act like a standard ROM drive and will read. Can you post some specs for us like model, software, new or existing build, OS?
waiting
06-15-2005, 10:40 PM
Hi edrod13: For burning software I have Roxio and Sonic. Sonic was installed by Dell. Dell desktop model 8200...70+GB, 512RAM,Windows XP home edition
glc
06-15-2005, 11:10 PM
You should have uninstalled Sonic before installing Roxio.
waiting
06-16-2005, 11:23 AM
Hi glc: Dell just helped me reinstall WinXP home OS. At that time we reinstalled Roxio and Sonic. Now, what do you suggest? Thanks, George
glc
06-17-2005, 03:00 AM
Now, what do you suggest?

Call Dell again.
waiting
06-19-2005, 11:22 AM
Another question before calling Dell.....My DVD/CD-RW drive reads and writes to DVD's. but it will not write to a CD-R or RW disc. The program does not recognize the CD-R or CD-RW disc when its in the proper drive. I checked the CD-R and RW disc in another computer and they are ok.

I went into device manager and there are no red X's or yellow warning indicators......Any ideas whats happening? Thanks.....George
glc
06-19-2005, 07:34 PM
I think you have a defective drive. Call Dell.
ZYFER
06-19-2005, 07:59 PM
he could also be having a compatiability issue with the media he is using...
waiting
06-19-2005, 10:57 PM
I think you have a defective drive. Call Dell.
Thanks glc. Could a defective CD-RW drive corrupt or crash a computer?
glc
06-20-2005, 02:12 AM
I've seen stranger things.

Have you run all the Dell diagnostics? Boot it with the Resource CD.
waiting
06-20-2005, 11:25 PM
glc: With Dell's guidance, I tried using the "dell diagnostic CD"....but it wouldn't work.....so at that time, Dell instructed me in reinstalling WinXP. I have not tried running the dell diagnostic cd after reinstalling WinXP.
EDB
06-21-2005, 02:20 AM
glc: With Dell's guidance, I tried using the "dell diagnostic CD"....but it wouldn't work.....so at that time, Dell instructed me in reinstalling WinXP. I have not tried running the dell diagnostic cd after reinstalling WinXP.

Did you have to use a CD to reinstall WinXP? Was it able to read that CD? Or was it a reinstall from a partition on your HD?

I'm having a somewhat similar problem, insofar as my sony vaio laptop's combo dvd-rw/cdrw is malfunctioning and not recognizing cds, but is recognizing dvds...

Please keep us informed... I am thinking my drive is worn out, and will have to get another, but first I'm gonna try to flash firmware.

PS- Sounds like your DELL is still under warrenty, so take advantage of that and get them to fix that sucker!
waiting
06-23-2005, 10:56 PM
to EDB: Yes, I used a CD to reinstall my WinXP home edition. You said you were going to try "to flash firmware". Whats flash firmware? Sometimes I think it would be a lot easier just to use a CD exterior drive thats connected with USB. Your comments please........thanks..........
Hags
06-24-2005, 08:32 AM
Firmware is like a little mini BIOS for your CD/DVD drives and a lot of other drives, it is built directly into the drives as EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) same as your BIOS
EDB
06-24-2005, 02:27 PM
Firmware is like a little mini BIOS for your CD/DVD drives and a lot of other drives, it is built directly into the drives as EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) same as your BIOS

Yes, That's basically what it is. Flashing Firmware is the process of downloading a newer firmware (bios) and installing it into your computer/device. It's something I've never done, and I've been warned that doing it incorrectly can severely mess up the drive, especially if you haven't backed up the previous version of firmware. But in my case, I figure I have nothing to lose... google flashing firmware and you'll find out more info. Your drive manufacturer may have a page or two on their site about it...

BUT, if it's still under warranty, make DELL take care of it!


http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=336827&messageid=1101539218&lp=1101539218
freptide
06-25-2005, 11:20 AM
I have a LiteOn Dvd burner thats been making some bad burns, with pixelating in video. I suggest before spending the money on a new drive you clean the lense first. This has always resolved the read/write issues with my drive. If your're running XP I dont think you need to flash the bios etc. Get a Dvd/Cd cleaning kit. (CD with little brushes on read side). After Hundreds of burns my drive is still OK. I think I paid about 8 bucks for the kit.