DVD-RAM WRITE PROTECTED 1

[FrankMaviglia]

I have a new HP Pavilion Computer the came with a CD/DVD reader and a CD/dvd writer. The writer didn't accept cartridges, and seeing as how I have numerous DVD-RAM cartridges, I bought a Panasonic LF-M821 multi format drive and installed it in a firewire exterior enclosure. When I installed the driver for the Panasonic, it wound up in the E drive which is the internal CD/DVD writer drive. When I access the External M drive and try to access the DVD-RAM driver it only shows access to the E drive with no way to access the M drive. Anyone have any Ideas how to correct this?

 

[kestrel1]

Try changing the drive letter allocation in Computer managment. Change the external to 'E'. You will need to allocate your current 'E' drive as something else that is free first. Re-boot & make sure the drive letters are correct & try again. This is a bit of a loopy suggestion, but it may work.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Thanks for the reply, but I went to Computer Manager and couldn't figure out how to change drive letters. Could you be more specific or point met to where I can find out how to do it?

Again thanks.

 

[stduc]

Computer Management - Storage - Disk Management (local

Locate the correct disk x (where x is a number) and right click - and select change drive letter & paths

 

[kestrel1]

Once in Computer Management, choose Disk Management in the lefthand pane.
You should then get a list of allthe drives on your system.
Highlight the drive that you wish to change the drive letter for & right click on it.
The first option is Change drive letter & paths...
You will get a window up that has three options: Add, Change, Remove.
Choose Change & use the list of letters to change the drive letter too.
Hope this helps.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Thanks again for the help, I will give it a shot and let you know how I make out.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Well, your latest advise did in fact enable me to change the drive letters, BUT it didn't help with the "Write Protected" problem.

I changed my E to N and my M to E, I then tried to erase/format a DVD-RAM DISK and got the usual Write Protected message. What I found was that my DVD-RAM driver was switched to the N drive (old E)

I guess what I have to do now is figure out how to associate the DVD-RAM driver with my new Panasonic LF-M821 multi format external drive.

Thanks for the help.

 

[kestrel1]

Are you using burning software or just Windows? I am assuming that you are trying to format the DVD-RAM disc.
How many DVD/CD drives do you have on you system including the external (2 or 3)? What are thier drive letters?

 

[FrankMaviglia]

You are correct, I have numerous DVD-RAM DISKS BOTH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2. I had origionally used them to backup my system Using Backup my PC from Stomp. I also had Nero 6 Ultra, but had lots of trouble with it so when I got my new computer all I installed was InCD.

I have a total of 3 drives, a CD/DVD ROM, A CD/DVD WRITER put there by Hp with the computer, and lastly in an effort to be able to use all my old DVD-RAM cartridges, I installed an external firewire enclosure with a Panasonic LF-M8212 multi format drive.

And lastly, I am trying to reformat the DVD-RAM disks so I can use them to store data

 

[kestrel1]

If you get the latest update to Nero 6, you should be able to see both of your DVD writers (internal & external). You should then be able to select the correct drive for formatting your DVD-RAM disc's. If you still have problems with Nero 6 try the demo of Nero 7. If that is any better (which it should be) then purchase that.
I suspect that Windows is getting confused & is unable to recognise your external drive as a DVD writer.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

ok, DID THAT ie I installed Nero 6 Ultra I will check things out and let you know if I have any success.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Still getting the Write Protected message. Looks like I am out of luck for now. However, I will keep trying.

 

[kestrel1]

Have you checked to see if there is a firmware upgrade for the DVD writer? It may be that the drives firmware has got screwed up.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

This is one thing I am going to do today. I'll let you know the results

 

[stduc]

If that fails - or there isn't an update to either the drivers or the firmware then you could try removing the devices using device manager and re-boot so that windows re-discovers them.

If you can - remove the devices then shut down. Remove the power cables to the DVD's and re-boot. They should all have gone (check both 'my computer' and device manager. Assuming they have gone, make a restore point and shut down again. Apply power to one of the devices and re-boot. You should then get the 'found new hardware' wizard and the device should re-install. Test it. If OK make a restore point, shut down and do the next device.

I don't think I can suggest any particular order.

Make a restore point first to be on the safe side as well.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Thanks for the information. I checked on firmware updates, and there are none I could find. As for removing/reinstalling the drives, I do not think that is the problem. My drives seem to be working just fine, but for some reason, I cannot reformat my DVD-RAM DISKS. I keep getting a message that the disks are "Write Protected.

 

[stduc]

Assuming that there is no physical tab you have to move on the CD/DVD cartridge? Then they are not working fine are they?

A remove re-install should not take long and if you make a restore point before you start and at every step you should be protected from the faint possibility you could make things worse.

The only other thing that occurs to me is that the laser diode is not working properly - but that seems to me a crazy possibility

 

[kestrel1]

Can you write to DVD+/-RW disc's OK, if not there is probably a physical problem with the drive.

 

[FrankMaviglia]

Yes, I can write to CDs,DVDs & RWs, MY ONLY problem is recovering used DVD=RAM disks that are in cartridges. When I try to erase/reformat these disks I get an error message that the disks are "write protected" when they are not. I am assuming the something has write protected the disks and I am not able to reverse this action.

 

[stduc]

The old style cartridges had a little notch that was covered with a slider or tab. If this was removed they were write protected.

If you are sure that tab is still in place and in the 'write enabled' position then you will have to look inside the drive to see if either a physical or light based sensor is failing somehow. It is possibly just dirty in there?