DVD problems

Question

My Dell 9150 was delivered with the CD/DVD-unit 'HL-DT-ST DVD +-RW GWA4168'. The only software that can detect the unit is Sonic, which was pre-installed. Burning to CD/DVD can't be performed in Windows, Windows Media Player or in other programs such as Sony's Picture Package or Magix Video. Even though the unit seems to be recognized by the system, it´s shown in 'My computer' and is said to work without problems when testing it, all software except Sonic gives me the message 'No CD/DVD driver found'. There's no firmware to download. Any ideas?

osprey4 · Answer

I don't see a model GWA4168. Can you check that?

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

Sorry, the model is HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA 4164B

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

Thanks, I'll try it. If the problem remains I'll probably uninstall Sonic, close down system, unplug the CD/DVD-unit, startup, close down, plug the unit again and startup. I'll let you know later on.   /MAY

osprey4 · Answer

Mike: There is a firmware update for that drive, download and instructions here. That's a good place to start. If you have a second drive, it should be disabled in the BIOS for this operation.

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

OK. Tried to install Firmware after closing down (in Device Manager, not in BIOS) the unit 'Internal Card Reader'. Also uninstalled Sonic and Sonic DLA.   When trying to burn in Windows Media player I still get the message :'No CD/DVD driver found'. In Magix Video I get the message: 'No disc in driver', beföre 'No CD/DVD driver found'. Of course I put an empty CD in the tray. When right-clicking a file in Windows the option 'Send to CD/DVD-driver is not available.' In the Device Manager the CD/DVD-unit is still properly displayed and is said to work fine.   Do I need to activate DLA again and if so how? Any other ideas? Should I try to physically remove the CD/DVD-unit and boot, close down, reinstall unit and boot again?   Any other ideas?

osprey4 · Answer

MikeAlfaYankee wrote: OK. Tried to install Firmware after closing down (in Device Manager, not in BIOS) the unit 'Internal Card Reader'. Tried? So did it work or not?

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

Excuse my swenglish. I did (!) install the firmware without positive result. Uninstalling Sonic made no difference.   1. When opening 'My Computer' the CD/DVD unit is correctly presented in the list of units. When checking the units properties it´s said to be working correctly.  2. When trying to send a file to the burner by right-clicking it, the option 'Send to CD/DVD-burner' is not available. 3. When trying to burn files added to the burn list in WMP, the message 'No CD/DVD-unit found' pops up. 4. When trying to burn video files in Sony Picture Package, the message 'No CD/DVD-unit found' pops up. 5. When trying to burn video files in MagixVideo10, the message 'No disc in CD/DVD-unit' pops up, even though there is a perfectly fine new empty DVD in the tray.   Thank you for interest and time.   MAY - Sweden

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

Just read some info at http://www.the-predator.com/dell/detect.html#1-0-19. Seems as if Diane and I have the same problem. Followed the steps in the guide checking Lower Filters but to my dissapointment the Sonic filter PxHelp20 was already added. So this didn't fix the problem.   /MAY

osprey4 · Answer

Mike:   Ok, keep in mind that Windows cannot write to DVDs. That said, see if this article is of help: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324129&Product=winxp

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

Thanks for the tip. Followed Microsofts instructions and changed some ID number from 3 to 2 in the CD/DVD registry. It was partly succesful.   1. When right clicking the CD/DVD-unit in My Computer and checking the properties,  the 'Recording'-tab is now shown. This wasn't the case earlier. I marked the option 'Allow CD-recording on this unit'. 2. Still Windows Media Player doesn't detect an installed CD/DVD-burner. When trying to burn a CD I get the message: 'No CD or DVD burner was identified. Press F5 to update Media Player'. Pressing F5 doesn't help. 3. When right clicking any file, the option 'Send to CD-burner' is not shown.   I searched Google and it seems as if quite many people had problems with this GWA4164B-model (has been used as a standard player by booth Dell and HP). HP also provided a firmware version http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?lc=en&cc=us&softwareitem=pv-36697-1&dlc=en&lang=en. Do you think I should try it?   Thanks again.   /MAY

osprey4 · Answer

Using a 3rd party firmware will void the warranty, so let's keep trying. See if this article helps beyind what the previous one had: http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/articles/10918.aspx

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

OK. Went through the document and links from it. Conclusion (which doesn't really help me):   The system doesn't recognize the CD/DVD-unit as a burner.    'If you are having problems copying to CDs and your CD recorder is recognized in My Computer, verify that the Enable CD recording on this drive check box is selected in the Properties dialog box for that drive.' For further information, read here . If the system recognizes the drive as one that can burn CDs, it'll have a 'Recording' tab for it under the Properties for that drive on WMP's Tools:Options:Devices menu dialog. If it does not have a 'Recording' tab there, the system does not recognize that drive as supporting burning.'    I would again like to point out that 3 different programs with burning capabilities are unable to identify the CD/DVD-burner.   Thanks / MAY

osprey4 · Answer

So just to confirm, you do see the recording tab, right?

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

When clicking properties in My Computer, the burning-tab is shown. When in WMP choosing Options, Units, CD/DVD properties - a burning tab is not shown.   MAY

MikeAlfaYankee · Answer

More detailed info. Did it all over again.   I unstalled the CD/DVD-unit in Device Manager. Did a restart and the system then told me new hardware was found. The unit was then in My Computer presented as CD-Rom-unit (D:) After reinstalling the by Dell recommended Firmware, the unit was presented as DVD-RW-unit (D:) When in My Computer checking the units properties, no recording/burning tab was shown. Then followed Microsofts recommendations and with Regedit checked the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives\Volume{Guid} When doubleclicking Drivetype, the displayed value was3 (which is supposed to mean standard CD-ROM unit with no burning capabilities) I changed the value to 2 and closed Regedit.   The situation now is:   When opening My Computer, the unit is displayed as DVD-RW-unit (D:). When clicking Properties - a Recordning tab is shown. When in WMP clicking Options, Units, DVD-RW-units (D:), Properties - a Recordning tab is not shown.   /MAY

Storage, Drives & Media

DVD problems

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