My DVD/CD player was not recognised by the Diagnostic programme to troubleshoot the DVD set up. I got a Component Test Error message saying it could not complete the scan. My problem is that I can happily play CD's or DVD's on it but it will not work with a Blank CD or DVD so I cannot burn to disc. I need to be able to do this. I have not tried this before and have only had the device for just over a year so it might have been like this from new. The software thought is because I cannot get a format or burn to disc option. Any ideas would be more than helpful.... thanks. Mike
Well, different internal lasers and/or circuits are used for various kinds of discs and read-vs-burn. It's possible for it to only be a partially good drive.
It might help if you re-evaluate it's operation (with these types) and report back: - CD-Audio - DVD-Movie - DVD-ROM (like, can you see the files in explorer) - Writing to a DVD+R or DVD-R (write once, no formatting required)
No one really uses CD-RW or DVD-RW any more. If you want that, get a flash-memory drive or SD-Card (camera memory card) . Also, don't use any Dual-Layer (8gb) discs.
Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.
You need to put a data CD in the drive (not a blank CD, not a commercial CD, not a DVD) in the optical drive first. Then reboot PC and run the diagnostics on it from the F12 menu.
What software are you using trying to burn CD/DVD? Dell offers Cyberlink for free download from the Microsoft store which will allow you to burn CD/DVD on PCs that have an internal optical drive.
OP: CDR cannot be formatted on XPS 8940: Cannot format / burn to a CDR disc on my XPS 8940. It plays CD's fine. Why is this?
sometimes you get a dummy CDR out of a batch. but if the 8940 cd burner consistently fails to burn using Windows 10 built in default burning program, and the same CDR can be burnt without issue in another desktop, you got a bad dvd drive. replace it since it is an inexpensive replacement part.
Apologies for lack of information, I should have realised. I bought my XPS 8940 to run with Windows 11 - and so far I'm very pleased with that choice. Thank you for the speedy replies.
6 Thallium - I have tried a CD-R and a DVD-RW - and have some 'spare' drives which I can fit if the size is ok in my case.
RoHe. Since trying the DVD-RW File Explorer now shows the drive as a DVD-RW drive. I've just tried the DVD-RW and a CD-R - and another one from the same pack but no joy. Using Properties/Disc check I get a Windows cannot access the disc with both of them - hence my feeling about software.
Tesla1856 - Good idea, Thanks. CD- Audio plays fine but I have explored further and discovered Power2Go is it my programme listing. I had not identified this as a Burning option as I was focussing on Windows. I have now burnt the disc I wanted!!!! Thaks again for making me look more closely at the issue. Mike
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
October 13th, 2022 09:00
Well, different internal lasers and/or circuits are used for various kinds of discs and read-vs-burn. It's possible for it to only be a partially good drive.
It might help if you re-evaluate it's operation (with these types) and report back:
- CD-Audio
- DVD-Movie
- DVD-ROM (like, can you see the files in explorer)
- Writing to a DVD+R or DVD-R (write once, no formatting required)
No one really uses CD-RW or DVD-RW any more. If you want that, get a flash-memory drive or SD-Card (camera memory card) . Also, don't use any Dual-Layer (8gb) discs.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
October 13th, 2022 11:00
@MikeCL46 - Glad you got it sorted.
I did suggest you try "Cyberlink for Dell" which includes Power To Go...
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
October 12th, 2022 12:00
Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.
You need to put a data CD in the drive (not a blank CD, not a commercial CD, not a DVD) in the optical drive first. Then reboot PC and run the diagnostics on it from the F12 menu.
What software are you using trying to burn CD/DVD? Dell offers Cyberlink for free download from the Microsoft store which will allow you to burn CD/DVD on PCs that have an internal optical drive.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
15.4K Posts
0
October 12th, 2022 18:00
OP: CDR cannot be formatted on XPS 8940: Cannot format / burn to a CDR disc on my XPS 8940. It plays CD's fine. Why is this?
sometimes you get a dummy CDR out of a batch. but if the 8940 cd burner consistently fails to burn using Windows 10 built in default burning program, and the same CDR can be burnt without issue in another desktop, you got a bad dvd drive. replace it since it is an inexpensive replacement part.
MikeCL46
1 Rookie
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7 Posts
0
October 13th, 2022 02:00
Apologies for lack of information, I should have realised. I bought my XPS 8940 to run with Windows 11 - and so far I'm very pleased with that choice. Thank you for the speedy replies.
6 Thallium - I have tried a CD-R and a DVD-RW - and have some 'spare' drives which I can fit if the size is ok in my case.
RoHe. Since trying the DVD-RW File Explorer now shows the drive as a DVD-RW drive. I've just tried the DVD-RW and a CD-R - and another one from the same pack but no joy. Using Properties/Disc check I get a Windows cannot access the disc with both of them - hence my feeling about software.
Cheers
Mike
MikeCL46
1 Rookie
•
7 Posts
0
October 13th, 2022 10:00
Tesla1856 - Good idea, Thanks. CD- Audio plays fine but I have explored further and discovered Power2Go is it my programme listing. I had not identified this as a Burning option as I was focussing on Windows. I have now burnt the disc I wanted!!!! Thaks again for making me look more closely at the issue. Mike