Computer Help, Please

7/1/05 | Asphalt

[Asphalt]

Today I was going to make a backup so I took a CD-RW, put it in the CD Drive, and copied the folder I wanted to write to the CD. When I clicked the 'copy this folder to CD' button it launched the wizard like normal. Then I named it, but then on the next box it said 'There is no disk in drive. Please insert a writeable disk into Drive D:\'

I don't know what the deal is. The computer read the disk, I could view folders on the disk, but it won't write CDs. Anyone have a clue what's going on?

[ken21]

open the drive, and close it.

now it will work.

[Asphalt]

I just have one, and it is on D:\

[tje]

Well then you're going to have to expend $$ to determine which CD-RW media it really works with.. I suspect there is one vendor it works fine with..

[csvset]

When you view the properties of the CD-RW drive, do you notice if there is a Recording tab displayed in the Properties dialog box ?

[Nowhere Man]

My guess is the write laser diode died. I do believe a CD-RW drive with a bad write laser can read but cannot write CD's. I've had that happen to me too. I would try to see if you could write a standard CD-R disc, if that doesn't work, generally, it is toast. I use an external CD-RW because I like to use it on my laptop as well, I bought it in July of 2003 and it died May of this year. I bought the 2 year fix or replace service plan at CompUSA and it had 5 weeks to run. So I took my drive back and got a new one at the same price. The plan was $14.99 and the drive was $100 so I got a new drive for $14.99. Naturally I bought the same plan for the one I'm using now. Always buy the service plans too for things like these, you'll be better off.

[hobson]

So, you're using the same media (same brand, same color...gold vs silver) as before and now it's not working? If you're running windows check the event viewer, it may give you some clues.

[hiredhand]

What I meant is that the CD-RW disk itself might have failed. Not the drive (inside your computer). :-)

[Asphalt]

Good idea

[Asphalt]

Actually, I just downloaded DeepBurner from the internet and it wrote a CD for me.

[Asphalt]

I used two different CDs, both new.

[hiredhand]

Um...well...let's see here... I had a similar problem the other day (albiet with a Linux system). I was able to reset the IDE device with a small command line utility...but I doubt Windows will give you that capability.

Have you tried to reboot, then try it again?

[Asphalt]

Just did. Didn't work

[hiredhand]

I was JUST getting ready to say....try another app...like Nero or something else.

So it looks like a software problem. ...which is "usually" preferred over a hardware problem. :-)

[Asphalt]

Yes. The weird thing is that a few weeks ago a key on my keyboard broke. Not that big of a deal, but my warranty is still in effect so I decided to send it in. That same night I had this problem. I sent it in, the erased the hard drive, and sent it back. It worked, and then today all of the sudden it happened again.

[Squantos]

I learn sooooo much here at FR Puter SkoooL !

[hiredhand]

If you don't mind me asking, who did you buy this from? Dell? Gateway?...etc...etc...

[hiredhand]

YO! How's the plumbing? :-)

[Squantos]

Glug Glug Glug.......

[Squantos]

Lots of money and ditch digging later.......:o)

All is ....well !

[hiredhand]

Do you know what knoppix is? Do you ever use Linux? Knoppix might help to at least determine if the problem is with your hardware.

...but you'd have to download an ISO image for Knoppix and burn it to a CD....and if you're having problems burning data, it might all be a moot point anyway with Knoppix.