Windows XP doesn't recognize DVD RW disks

[ddbaby11]

Hi all,

Boy, have I been having a problem. I've tried two different dvd burners, an external TDK DVD+/- RW drive and now an internal NEC dual layer DVD+/-RW drive. I have a Dell Dimension 4500 that came with a Dell branded Windows XP Pro. Have you ever tried getting support from Dell? What a freaking bad joke that is.

Microsoft says there is known problem with XP viewing a DVD+/-RW disc the same way it views a CD+/-RW disc. Problem is a CD RW uses 32 bit packets and a DVD RW uses 16 bit packets. As a result, without the fix, my computer can't recognize there is a DVD RW disk in the drive when trying to burn to it. It recognized DVD +R and DVD-R discs just fine, and I am able to burn to those with no problem.

What I want to do is image my hard drive and burn the image to DVD. That I can't do, because it always comes up with "no disk" or some variation thereof anytime I try to write to an RW disc. Any suggestions? Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,
Drew

[port66]

goto the nec homepage and get he dvdrom drivers, or the latest ones for your drive

[ddbaby11]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I already tried. They don't even list this particular model on their website.

[ammck55]

Drew:

It sounds like you've taken the TDK back and gotten the NEC burner? I've had the TDK 880n external model for a couple of months, now, and have had no problems with any of the suggested media I've tried with it. The RW'able discs I bought for my first go-around of tests are Fuji's; DVDDecrypter identified them as RICOHJPN-W11-01, so I know for sure that these discs are readable by the 880n.

My system config is XP Pro with Service Pack 1 and all Critical Updates are current. Wish I could be of more help....

ammkck55

[ddbaby11]

Thanks,

Is your Windows XP Pro a straight version or did it come with the computer? I am curious that whenever I do a search for "windows doesn't recognize dvd rw disk", the only hit I get is the Microsoft Knowledgebase article I have referred to earlier. I guess not many people have this problem, but I sure do.

[ammck55]

I'm running an OEM install of XP Pro that came with a Toshiba P-25 laptop.

RW'able media is notorious for being fickle, try this link for checking brands of media that are known to work in your specific burner model.

Burner/media compatibility (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdwriters)

Which model burner are you using at the present?

ammck55

[ddbaby11]

I just purchased an NEC ND-2510A which is a new dual layer capable drive. I had read so many accolades for Ritek Ridata discs that these are the only ones I've tried. I'm thinking now that this may be the problem, since no body else I know seems to have this issue.

[ammck55]

Maxell and Memorex RWable's are listed to work with your burner according to this list (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDname=NEC+ND-2510A+&Submit=Search&cdrs=&cdrws=&dvdrs=&dvdrws=&dvdprs=&dvdprws=&dvdprsdl=&dvdrams=&buffer=Any&list=0&orderby=Name&Search=Search), and as far as I could tell, they are of the RICOHJPN series. This being the case, I'd say the Fuji's will work too, if you only have access to that brand. If you haven't seen it yet, one of the comments on that page should look familiar to you. :)

For $20, or less, you can run out and get a five-pack and hopefully find some joy. Good luck!

ammck55

[Joe Fenton]

You could try MS's patch for this problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818733&Product=winxp

They also say there that the problem should be taken care of with SP2.

[ddbaby11]

Joe,

If you have a copy of the patch, would you email it to me at drew@info-up.com? My XP is Dell branded, so Microsoft won't support me at all, and neither will Dell. I would so appreciate it if you had the patch and could get me a copy. Thanks,