I can't burn cds

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 2400 and I can't burn cds. Everytime I try and start up Sonic Recordnow or Musicmatch Jukebox it says 'No compatible Recordable or Rewritable devices could be found on your sytem.' I got this computer from a rent-to-own place, but that shouldn't make a difference, should it? Don't they all come with cd burners now? I even tried calling the Dell support number and all they told me was to go to www.download.com and download another type of cd burning program but when I tried to use it, it said to insert a new blank cd when I already had one in. Everytime I have a new blank cd in and I try to save something to it, it says to insert a cd. It reads my other cds fine, like when I listen to a cd on my computer it'll read it. It just won't read blank cds. Anyway, I don't know what to do or how to fix it so if someone could help me out that'd be great.   Thanks.

osprey4 · Answer

Two things come to mind. It sounds like you are trying to use multiple burning programs. This can cause problems. Uninstall all but the one that came with the system.

Second, you mention that you are trying to save files to a CD. Are you using Sonic DLA? For the moment, I suggest disabling this program.

I don't believe Dell would direct you to some download site for a different burning program, although that might not be a bad idea. However, first try downloading and installing the most recent Sonic program patch, available here:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&category=0&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6998&devlib=25

This is a large download if you are on dialup. Sorry.

mjuarez28 · Answer

Well, I actually tried doing that before I even made this thread and this is what I got: http://img58.exs.cx/img58/4432/setup7vl.png so I clicked yes to continue, but then this came up: http://img58.exs.cx/img58/1351/setup36iz.png and when I clicked ok, it stopped installing and exited. I tried to open Sonic Recordnow again to see if anything had changed, but it just said the same thing as before --- 'No compatible Recordable or Rewritable devices could be found on your system.' I tried downloading that patch again just now and I still got the same thing.   Both of the programs (Sonic Recordnow and Musicmatch Jukebox) came with my system so which would be better to uninstall? As for saving files to a cd, I usually just go to 'My Computer' and click on the CD drive. I don't know much about computers, but that's the only way I've ever known how to do it. Or when I have a file open that I want to save and I click save as and try to save it to my CD drive, it says 'please insert a disk into drive D.' Sonic DLA is part of Sonic Recordnow, correct? If so, Sonic Recordnow won't even open. Everytime I try to start it up, the 'No compatible device found' error message pops up and then after I click ok, it closes the program.   Sorry for being such a bother.

osprey4 · Answer

Ok, let's figure out what burner you have. Go to device manager, click to open the CD/DVD devices and write down the model(s) of any drive(s). Post back when you can.

mjuarez28 · Answer

Under DVD/CD-Rom drives all I had was Lite-On LTN486S 48x Max. That was the only 'CD/DVD' category I had in the Device Manager.

osprey4 · Answer

The Lite-On LTN486S 48x Max is a CD-ROM drive, which certainly explains why you can't burn CDs. But that doesn't really solve your problem, you want to be able to burn CDs.   Let me recommend this Lite-On drive:   http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-106-197&DEPA=1   They're well regarded for CD burners, and this one is relatively inexpensive. It appears they are including Nero OEM Suite, which is a very easy to use, capable CD burning program.

mjuarez28 · Answer

Ok, so then all I have to do is buy that and I'll be able to burn cds, right? Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

osprey4 · Answer

Please post back if you have any questions about installing the drive. Good luck!

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