Skip to main content
Start a Conversation

Unsolved

This post is more than 5 years old

guns465

16 Posts

693

May 4th, 2007 00:00

CD Problems

My CD Drive has worked fine since 2002 purchase until recently. When installing a new program I use a copy of the Original CD & keep the original as backup. Copy always worked until now. Tried Streets & Trips yesterday and failed. Used Original CD & worked OK. Tried to make a new copy and CD Drive would not recognize the blank CD-R. Tried another blank but same result. Tried using a blank CD-RW and CD Drive appeared to recognize it. Although the copying appeared to track OK, nothing was copied to the  disc. I tried using Device Manager to uninstall and rebooted but it did not help.
Original music CD & a copy both work. The CD Drive no longer recognizes the blank CD when I try to copy music.
My software is Easy CD & DVD Creator 6.
Can anyone help?
 

Predator

15.3K Posts

May 4th, 2007 01:00




Hi Guns,

Honestly, sounds like the drive is on her last leg. Dell does have a firmware update for the drive listed:
here
I have seen a firmware breathe life back into what seemed like a dieing drive for a little while.

Considering the drive is 5 years old, I would try the firmware and if it did not help, you can pick up a DVD+/-RW drive on New Egg for about $35.


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.

CD/RW Link



Message Edited by Predator on 05-03-2007 10:46 PM

guns465

16 Posts

May 4th, 2007 16:00

Thanks for quick response.
I followed instructions on the Firmware download site through item 8.The info in item 9 did not appear. I could not execute items 10 & 11. I rebooted and repeated through item 8 again.
I then went to Device Manager and navigated to my CDRW - Properties - Details and saw that 4DS3 was installed.
I should have done this initially. The release date for the Firmware was 2/6/2002. The Dell shipping date was 3/11/2002.The 4DS3 may have been included when I received my PC.
Does this mean a new drive is the next step? If so, what do you recommend? Newegg shows 7 models and price does not seem to be a factor. I want to be sure whichever I get, will be compatible with my system.
I appreciate your help. 
 

Predator

15.3K Posts

May 4th, 2007 18:00




Hi Guns,

The release date can be deceiving, Dell does not flash the drives, so more than likely it will still have the original firmware. Some Members have said they had to flash the drive from Safe Mode. Also if per chance you have a second drive on the same IDe cable, you may have to disconnect it and try the firmware again.
Honestly basically any IDE drive on the market today will work with your system.
The drives our Regulars recommend the most are: Plextor, Pioneer, NEC, Lite-on, BenQ to name a few.

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.

CD/RW Link

guns465

16 Posts

May 7th, 2007 02:00

Hi Jeff, You have been a great help. Thank you. I have decided to get a new burner. I am confused by the terminology "EIDE,ATAPA and SATA". Will any of them work with my system? Guns

Predator

15.3K Posts

May 7th, 2007 13:00




Hi Guns,

Your 8200 series does not have SATA ports, so it will not support a SATA optical drive.
The term IDE, EIDE, ATA, all in todays market represents the same type of drive, so you would be safe with any that use those names.

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.

CD/RW Link

guns465

16 Posts

May 11th, 2007 04:00

Jeff, Thanks again. New burner up & running. Guns

View More

View All

No Events found!

Top