New Memorex DVD+/-RW problems.

Question

I have a Dell 4550 with WinXP. It came with a Samsung CD-R/RW 240B recorder which has worked perfectly. I recently  installed a Memorex DVD+/-RW Dual X-1 recorder and it  plays everything I put in it. However, I can't get the computer to recognize blank disks. I uninstalled, reinstalled Nero and Roxio to no avail. I reset jumper switches fron CSEL to Master and Slave. I switched the units so the DVD was 1 and CD 2. No change. I spoke to a Tech rep at Memorex and he suggested the problem was a software incompatibility. I kept getting the error message: 'E:\ is not accessible. Incorrect function'. So I searched the Internet and found some similar problems at various newsgroups and one noted that if upon right clicking the drive and selecting 'Properties', if properties doesn't show 'Recording' it's not recognized. Both show recording, however, if I click on 'Enable CD recording on this drive', it removes it from the other drive. There is no 'Enable DVD recording on this drive'.  I've ran the Dell DOS diagnose disk and it indicates both drives are functioning well. I've got the latest BIOS, ran whatever checks I found on the Dell and Microsoft websites but can't find anymore on my problem. Also, many articles recommend that in the Device Manager, IDE controllers, advanced setting, transfer mode; set the setting to 'DMA, if available', which I've done. However, the CD Current Transfer Mode indicates 'Ultra DMA Mode', while the DVD indicates 'PIO Mode'. I currently have both drives set at CSEL and have removed both Roxio and Nero.   I selected the DVD drive in Properties as the one to record. When there is no disk in the DVD drive, in Explorer it reads DVD-RW Drive (E:). When I insert a blank dvd disk it changes to CD Drive (E). If I right click it shows the disk as Type: CD Drive; Used space: 0; Free space: 0. I just can't think of any other troubleshooting checks. I don't want to reinstall either Roxio or Nero unless I'm confident I don't have to uninstall and clean out the registry again. I'm sure the Memorex drive is ok, but....

fireberd · Answer

First, you need to change it back to the Cable Select strapping method, which is the way your PC came fromt he factory.

Second, the BIOS must recognize the new drive and recognize it correctly (correct type). If the BIOS doesn't recognize it or doesn't see the proper type, Windows will not either. It sounds like the drive is being detected as a CD-ROM rather than a CD burner. Start with the Cable Select strapping and then check the BIOS to see how it is being detected.

lou.g · Answer

The bios recognizes it correctly as the first drive, with the CD as the second drive. I have the DVD first and CD second in the cable select jumper settings. I reinstalled the default Easy CD Creator 5 with the Microsoft update. I do not have Roxio 6 nor Nero installed. However, in Explorer view, the CD is CD-RW Drive (D) and the DVD is DVD-RW Drive (E). If I right click and select properties with no disc inserted, the CD is identified as the Samsung; the DVD is identified as Memorex. When I insert a disc in the CD drive, it changes to CD Drive (D). The DVD drive changes to CD Drive (E) with a disc. Both indicate 0 used and 0 free space. Both identify correctly in Properties, but both indicate in Settings, Media Type: Device is not ready.

Apladay · Answer

lou.g,

The Memorex should have been packaged with Roxio 6, and did you attempt installing it? I believe that 5 does not support DVD burning, which is probably why the blanks are not recognized. Nero and Roxio sometimes conflict with each other, so would recommend you choose one or the other.

That Memorex is a rebadged Pioneer, a good quiet no coaster drive, had one in my 4550 (bios 8) for a bit.

Good luck,

lou.g · Answer

I reinstalled Roxio 6, nothing changed. The system will not recognize blank discs and allow me to record; yet it allows the DVD to play anything else...

lou.g · Answer

After reading other posts and other forums I uninstalled Roxio and reinstalled Nero without InCD. I bought  Fujifilm DVD+R discs and it worked. I then tried a new  Maxell disc and it worked. In the process of my trying to get something burned or written on the discs I previously tried (Memorex and Maxell), is it possible that Nero's InCd or Roxio's EasyCd could have left some type 'imprint' that caused burning software or the Memorex drive not to read the discs? As all the discs read the same regardless of how I read them (example: System; Hardware; DVD; Properties; Volume; Populate), how do I know a disc is valid? I'll 'coaster' the old discs, but it's very nerve wracking to find out perhaps it was InCD and/or EasyCD that caused the problem in the first place. Or, were the discs bad? Nonetheless, thanks to those that gave me suggestions. Hopefully, the problem is fixed.

Storage, Drives & Media

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