DVD Burner problem

[musclepump]

I had a dvd burner awhile ago and it finally stopped working, so I got rid of it and got a new one. At least, I thought it was the hardware that had just stopped.

This new one I've probably burned twenty discs with. It's a NEC DVD_RW ND-3520-A. I hadn't used it in a couple of weeks, and a friend brought over a DVD filled with pictures she needed copied. So I put it in, tried to use it, and it wouldn't load. I thought that was strange. I re-booted, and my computer wouldn't load until I ejected the disc! That was a first. Then I tried reading it again, still no go. I checked my device manager and the properties, and everything says it's fine. What do I do??

 

[cdogg]

OK, what do you see on the disc after inserting it in the drive?

What kind of disc is this? CD or DVD?

How was it made (Nero, Roxio, Drag to disc)?

Can it be read on another PC? Test that yourself...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[musclepump]

It won't read any CD or DVD, blank or not. My others computers will. Nothing happens after I insert, except that it will halt my computer from booting if it's in there when I turn the machine on.

 

[cdogg]

Aside from the drive failing, it would seem that there is either a conflict in Windows, the BIOS, or a hardware conflict with another device.

Assuming that you haven't added or opened your PC case since it last worked, I would use a Win98 bootdisk (

http://www.bootdisk.com

if you don't already have one). Boot to a command prompt with CD-ROM support and try to read a CD (not DVD) from there. If it works, then you know the problem is software related and a Windows problem.

Let us know what you find...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[micker377]

Go into Device Manager in "Safe Mode". Delete ALL CD/DVD drives listed. Reboot, and Windows should install the drives you have now.

 

[musclepump]

It's a goner. Didn't read it with the boot disk; it showed up, but it failed to read it. I deleted the drives and it reinstalled, still nothing. I'm pissed. This is the second burner that has gone out in as many months. Grrr!

 

[cdogg]

Don't forget about cashing in on the warranty!

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[musclepump]

NEC has no warranty.

 

[cdogg]

Not so sure that's right. If you bought retail, there should still be some kind of warranty on it:

http://support.necsam.com/oem/default.asp?CFID=158893&CFTOKEN=87461189

If it's OEM, check the vendor you purchased from.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[musclepump]

NewEgg won't replace it without its accessories... it doesn't come with accessories, WTF?!