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Need help with a CD ROM burner on an HP desktop
Vanity | 11-20-2008 | Frantzie

Posted on 11/20/2008 3:28:19 PM PST by Frantzie

I need some suggestions for an HP Pavilion desktop and burning ROMs.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computer
I have master a ROM each month and have a process set up. I use pre-loaded Record Now by Veritas. The machine is probably 4 to 5 years old with XP. Shut down everything and put a blank ROM in and close the drive. It just sits there now. The ROM does not engage to seat in. I used a vac to insure there is no dust.

Should I clean the HP CD Writer or is it shot? I shut down everything but Iolo anti virus is almost impossible to shut down.

I was considering going to download.com and getting a free burner program like an old version of Roxio or something. My concern is I once installed a store bought copy of Roxio or another burner and it hosed up everything after installing. I had heard burner programs can cause havoc when installing on machines. I am not sure why. I can uninstall my copy of Record Now and download the same version from HP but I doubt that will help.

I think the HP internal factory CD writer may be shot. Or could it be dirty? I used a small shark vac with a hose to keep vac motor away from PC. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

1 posted on 11/20/2008 3:28:20 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie

A new drive is only $25 at NewEgg ... Easy to replace.

Sounds to me like the CD burner drive gave up on you.

I use compressed air to blow the dust out of near everything, just don’t get the pressure up too high and use a filter at the compressor.


2 posted on 11/20/2008 3:35:11 PM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: Frantzie

It sounds shot, though they usually make weird grinding noises before dying completely. Check the data cables and make sure they’re plugged all the way in, as heat and dust can cause them to work loose sometimes.


3 posted on 11/20/2008 3:37:58 PM PST by cake_crumb (Waiting for Dear Leader Obama to drop sea levels and heal Earth.)
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To: Tarpon

Thanks for the suggestion. Compressed air is the only way to clean the CD laser lens? I used the vac with a hose.

I understand how to open the box up and change the wiring. Will XP automatically see the new drive and config it or will I have to install a ROM with the drive which will have some drivers or something?

Sounds safer then replacing burner software. I did it once and it cuased a mess.

Thanks again.


4 posted on 11/20/2008 3:40:33 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: cake_crumb

Thanks for the cable suggestion plus dust. I once had a loose or bad CAT 5 cable. Drove me nuts.

Yeah no dying grinding noises.


5 posted on 11/20/2008 3:43:40 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie

There are special cleaners that can clean the lens, but I have not found too much gain from that, it never seemed to do anything except cost money. It appears it’s always dust and crude which messes up air flow and cooling.

Any mainstream CD/DVD burner drive should just be recognized and hook up the software driver. When you turn it off to replace the drive, I would go into the manager and de-install the dead drives driver. Not really necessary, but it might get tangled up if you don’t.

I have a similar system with the HP XP burner software, and the software never seems to just quit — You can get the latest updates from the HP site ... I have had a burner drive go out, and putting in a new one made it all better again. I would leave the software alone and get a new drive, since they are cheap and easy to install.


6 posted on 11/20/2008 3:52:47 PM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: Tarpon

Thanks. Sounds like a plan. I will get a new drive. Thanks again.


7 posted on 11/20/2008 3:55:14 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie
Burrrn.net
8 posted on 11/20/2008 4:09:57 PM PST by library user
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To: Tarpon

Any burners you recommend? Sony, Aviva? Idiot proof brand.


9 posted on 11/20/2008 5:54:52 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie

NO, I have had good luck with “most popular” at NewEgg.

You might want to consider a DVD/CD burner, the newer stuff.


10 posted on 11/20/2008 5:57:10 PM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: library user

Can this do data? It looks like music only.


11 posted on 11/20/2008 5:57:49 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Tarpon

Thanks - yeah I was at Office Depot tonight looking around but I think I have bought from NewEgg before.

I was considering an external on a USB for a second but decided against it. XP will configure it when I boot up with the new interal replacement? Thanks again.


12 posted on 11/20/2008 6:12:28 PM PST by Frantzie
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To: Frantzie

You may need to check for the drive number, usually the CD is 1 on the string. The directions with the drive should show you clearly how to do this.

Yeah, just transfer the cables and go. Should be a piece of cake.

I like NewEgg because they are cheap and if something goes wrong they will take returns.


13 posted on 11/20/2008 8:29:02 PM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: Frantzie

read later


14 posted on 11/20/2008 10:52:59 PM PST by LiteKeeper (Beware the secularization of America; the Islamization of Eurabia)
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To: Tarpon

Thank you Tarpon. Nice fish. I sometimes thing I hear one in the canal behind my house but it could be Jacks.


15 posted on 11/21/2008 1:49:36 PM PST by Frantzie
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