CD-RW won't burn. Roxio.

Question

I have an 8 month old Dell 4550 running XP. My CD-RW has never worked properly. It is an NEC 1100a. It will read CD's but will not burn. I get numerous error messages during my attempts to burn. 'There was an error in the writing process. The disc you attempted to write to may be unuseable.' I tried to use the Direct CD and I got an error message 'You will not be able to write to the CD through the drive letter access. Unrecognized data.' Using Easy CD Creator I get errors: 'Power calibration Error [03/73/03]' and 'Track writing error. [T7118}' I am using Roxio 5 Easy CD creator. I have done all the updates. I have installed and uninstalled Roxio. I have used the following CD-R brands:Memorex CD-RW 4X Multi SpeedPhillips CD-R Multi Speed 48X (Up to 48X multispeed)Fuji Film CD-R All Purpose (No speed indicated) I was on the phone with a Dell tech for 1 1/2hours yesterday. I have searched all the boards and the only thing I could find was when I searched error message [03/73/03 and was told there was a fix I could download for a Samsung CD-RW but I am using an NEC 1100a. I have tried using different burn speeds. I have tried formatting the discs but get error message 'Unknown error. You will not be able to read and write to the CD through the drive letter access. I have tried everything. Thanks in advance for your help. Paul

Rache623 · Answer

Are u using a regular NEC CDRW or  DVDRW? i asked because when i looked at the downloads section for your system, there's just one download for the NEC 1100A ( NEC ND-1100A 4X DVD+R/2.4X DVD+RW).

Softball Junkie · Answer

Rach623 Thank you so much for taking the time to do some research for me. I have already updated that firmware to 10GE. I am using the DVDRW.

Dell sent me an update

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

to update the firmware from diskettes. I have followed the instructions but I am unable to get the diskettes to open so I can download the update for my driver.

Anyone have a cure for what ails me?

Paul

Message Edited by Softball Junkie on 12-17-2003 09:54 PM

Predator · Answer

Hi Paul,The article you posted that Dell sent you is for the wrong drive:'How to Fix the Power Calibration Error with a Samsung DVD/CD-RW SM-308B Combo Drive'. Please do not try to install this firmware.You already have the latest firmware availble from Dell if it is the 10GE.Click on the CD/RW gif in my post and scroll to Section 8-3, article 11, this is the on going saga with this drive. After installing the Firmware make sure the drive is in DMA mode, some had reverted back to PIO mode. Some Members have reported completely remoiving the Roxio software, then re-install and apply the lastest update at Roxio`s site. For information on the proper procedure for the uninstall / reinstall from Roxio`s forum, go to Section 47 of the CD/RW link.I would suggest you contact Dell again by phone, be firm but polite, explain the error was not corrected with the firmware and you updated the software, tried different brands of media. Dell is dealing with this drive on a case by case issue.Seasons Greetings! God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference. Message Edited by Predator on 12-18-2003 04:25 AM

Softball Junkie · Answer

Predator, Thanks for taking the time to look at my problem. Dell's solution has been to download the 10GE which I have done without any results. After installing the Firmware make sure the drive is in DMA mode, some had reverted back to PIO mode. Can you tell me how to get the drive back into DMA mode form PIO modae. I am not familiar with this. If this does not work I will be in contact with Dell again. Paul

Predator · Answer

Hi Paul,Click on the CD/RW gif in my post again and scroll to Section 15, articles 14 & 13.Hopefully this will work, if not, then do make the call, be prepared Dell may suggest re-instaling your OS, a Repair install of XP would be better if you 'had' to do this, but you may not, they have dealt with this drive on numerous occasions.Best of Luck God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell thedifference.

Softball Junkie · Answer

Predator,

I appreciate all the time you put into this board, your web site and my problem. I am going to try what you suggested and what Dell has suggested...which is test drive in DOS using a blank, formatted CD-RW disk with Diags32 from the Resource CD.

If that does not work, I am ready to go get another DVD-R/CD-RW drive. Any suggestions? I have wasted enough time and energy on this and I feel I should cut my losses and move on.

Paul

PS I followed your directions and I am running in DMA mode.

Message Edited by Softball Junkie on 12-18-2003 04:47 PM

Predator · Answer

Truly sorry about not being able to help you Paul with this drive.
I would contact Dell by phone, be firm but polite, list everything and I mean everything from different media, un-install / reinstall software - drivers / controllers / firmware, not once but a number of times, The Tech may request re-install of XP, I am fairly sure, considering all the past issues with this drive you will easly get it replaced, I myself would strongly request the Plextor Dell has currently, if he says no, ask for the Supervisor on duty, the worse the answer you are going to get is No.

Best Regards

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.

Softball Junkie · Answer

Predator,

I took your advice and was firm but fair. The tech and I ran the diagnostic and it tested out fine. We tried a few more fixes and the end result is.. they are going to send me a new drive.

Thanks for all your help.

It took a few calls and I jumped through some hoops but Dell is going to try and fix the situation.

Paul

Storage, Drives & Media

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