DirectCD formatting problem

Are you using the method explained here?

You may want to try updating Easy CD Creator. You can download the update for your specific version here, if you are using the basic version 5.x, it will be on the bottom of the page. If this does not help you may want to try updating the firmware on the drive. Click here for the firmware.

Yes. 

I get to step 4: Click on Format CD

It acts like it's going to format then I get the other illegal request message, etc.

Well, I had already updated the Easy CD Creator software.  Also, I have tried using Nero Express, and have the same problem.  I deleted the Easy CD Creator before I tried Nero.  I get an error with Nero as well. 

The firmware link you left is broken.  I'm not sure where to look for the download.

Thanks

Cat: You really aren't giving us a chance to help by spoon feeding little clues along the way…

Nor can you expect it to suddenly work by throwing various software at the problem.

We really need to know exactly what packet writer is in there and a little detailed info about the media you are trying to format would help too.

Do a Ctrl-Alt-Del and look under the Applications tab. Is DirectCD and/or InCD running?

DirectCD is running. 

When I first tried to format a cd, I had Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.3.4.sp8 Basic installed.  This came with my Dell.

I got the "Disc Error" message as stated in my first post.

Then I updated to Roxio Easy CD 5.3.5.10 at the roxio website....received same error message.

I uninstalled Roxio and installed Nero Express which I am using on another computer. The version of Nero supports the Samsung CD player that's installed with my Dell. I received a similar error message.

I uninstalled Nero (they also have a Clean Tool which I used to help uninstall everything).

Now I'm back to Easy CD Creator 5.3.5.10.  But still no luck.

Cat: You referred to your Samsung as a "Player" but I assume you mean it is a Writer…

Thanks for the info, it would appear that the writer is not being recognized or is not capable of using the media.

Take a look at the writer through EasyCD's Tools – Drive Properties. If you have not run The Drive Tests since you reinstalled, please do so.

Since it is RW media and you can erase it, try writing to it from EasyCD as a Data Project.

I ran the data transfer test.

Then I tried to write to a CD-RW disc.  I got the error message: "E80041925: TrackWriter error command retry failed (T7118).  I couldn't find any information about the error message.

I then tried writing to a CD-R disc. This worked.

Can a CD-RW be written to if it isn't formatted first???????

Thanks

Hi again

I emailed Dell support.  They are going to send me a new cd/rw drive.  I really don't know if this is the answer to the problem tho. I gave them the info that I posted here and the response that I got is that they would send a new part. No other info was sent to me.  Could the drive be the problem?

Doreen

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@littlefatcat wrote:

I ran the data transfer test.

Then I tried to write to a CD-RW disc.  I got the error message: "E80041925: TrackWriter error command retry failed (T7118).  I couldn't find any information about the error message.

I then tried writing to a CD-R disc. This worked.

Can a CD-RW be written to if it isn't formatted first???????

Thanks

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It is hit or miss with XP. You should format first to assure it will work.

Also with RW media the speed of the media must match the speed of the writer. That is you cannot put in media with a higher rated speed (high speed, ultra high speed) into a burner that isn't rated for those speeds.