Unable to burn usable CDRWs, but CDRs are not a problem

[KellyPenley]

I have never been able to burn usable CDRWs (Rewritable Discs). The files either don't show up on the disc after burning is completed, won't open, or in the case of songs, the sound cuts in and out like small parts are missing. I have not had ANY trouble AT ALL burning regular CDRs (Taiyo Yuden brand), only with the Rewritable CDRWs (TDK brand). I have tried using Nero 6 Ultra Edition, MusicMatch, Windows Media Player 9, and just dragging and dropping the files onto the CDRW drive in My Computer to burn them that way. None of the apps works any better or different than the other. Also, Nero has a data verification process option after burning is completed. It fails the data verification process every time (read errors in certain sectors).
Also, someone at HP tech support told me about some kind of copy protection involving certain disc makers and certain burners not being compatible, but I have tried 2 different brands of CDRW discs so far - the first being Memorex and the latest being TDKs with no noticable difference. None of them have ever been usable. Of course it's possible that I have bought 2 brands of discs that are incompatible with my Sony CRX215E5 burner, just not very likely. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Wishdiak]

KellyPenley,

Most CDRW drives have a known compatibility list. In theory, any CDRW disc should work, but in practice this is not the case.

Check the Sony website and see if they have a list of compatible CDRW media for your drive. If not, Sony CDRW discs would probably be a safe bet.

It's also possible that your CDRW drive is defective, but you'll need to go through some steps before you contact them for warranty service.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[mainegeek]

KellyPenley,
Try burning at a slower speed.

 

[cdogg]

You say in some cases, the music files do make it but are not really playable (sound cuts in and out).

Well, instead of making an audio CD, make a data one. First, either start with a new CD-RW or erase an old one. In Nero, choose the "CD-ROM (ISO)" option. Use "Start Multisession" under the Multisession tab. Make sure ISO 9660 and Joliet are selected under the ISO tab. Drag and drop a few data files in the Nero folder view window and try burning. The speed shouldn't matter. Nero will automatically select the max speed that the CD-RW supports.

Eject the CD-RW after it finishes and re-insert it. You should be able to browse those files/folders in Windows Explorer. If not, try to read the CD-RW in another drive and if you can, another computer.

~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

 

[KellyPenley]

Thanks for the responses. To answer some questions: Wishdiak - I went to the Sony site and according to them there is no compatibility list for this drive. However, I was told the top 3 brands that were tested in the drive. They are Sony, TDK, and Verbatim brand media, and I already tried using TDK brand.
mainegeek - I have tried both available 12x and 4x burning speeds. Neither was any better/different than the other.
cdogg - I have tried burning all sorts of files. Images, apps, documents, etc. They usually don't even show up as being on the disc, and if they do, they won't open. That's what I meant by being unusable. BTW, if they do show up, listed under the details (of the disc) section, it says Free Space: 0 bytes, and Total Size: 0 bytes. Also, I have tried the discs in my CDRom drive, and they won't work in it either.

 

[cdogg]

KellyPenley,

Well, there's more to it. At this point, it doesn't sound like a hardware issue since you've tried different brands and you can burn CD-R's.

I was trying to see if you were choosing the correct format. Please double-check that you've tried the steps I listed to select ISO 9660 and Joliet



~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

 

[KellyPenley]

Cdogg,
I checked to see how I have been using Nero as you asked. I have been using (ISO 9660 only). I see the option to use (ISO 9660 + Joliet) though. How does that make a difference?

 

[cdogg]

Doesn't really make much. It just adds more "Windows" compatibility to the file system naming scheme allowing for more characters in the name.

As long as you've been using ISO 9660 though, I doubt this is your problem.

A couple more questions came to mind...

Where are you copying the files from? Is it your local C: drive? What version of Windows?

~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

 

[KellyPenley]

Yes, all files have been from my local hard drive, and I am using XP Home.

 

[cdogg]

Well, something seems like it's missing. It doesn't make sense that you can burn to CD-R, but not to CD-RW using the exact same method on the exact same files.

Plus, you've used different media brands, not to mention different burning software.

The only thing left that I can think of is to uninstall/reinstall Nero and update it (course this is a long shot). Or if you can, try to install the drive in another PC to make sure it's not the drive itself.

~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

 

[garebo]

I wonder, and this is just a guess. But you get a choice of closing the cd off or leaving it "open" so you can add more files later, and this is for cdr's and dvdr's and Nero 6, same as you are using. So i am wondering if perhaps making sure the cdrw is "closed", by way of ticking it off, will help make your cdrws readable. Again, its just a guess. I always close it off so i dont know if the other choice would make it harder to read or not, plus i rarely use cdrws, so i dont really know. Just wondering if that might have something to do with your problems.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[cdogg]

garebo,
You're right that it would make a difference. At this point though, it doesn't seem like Kelly is doing anything different with CD-RW's regarding what options are being selected. At least nothing mentioned so far implies that...

~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

 

[mainegeek]

KellyPenley,

Is this an HP PC with an HP CDR Drive? If so, have you tried using HP brand CDRW's?

 

[garebo]

cdogg:
you said "At least nothing mentioned so far implies that..."
And how many times was the main power cord not plugged in, lol!
I just wasnt sure how important that was since i never choose the option, i just close it off to be safe as i heard it makes the cd more readable on other cd drives.

Guess we have to wait to hear from KellyPenley as to wether he\she closes the cdrw off or not.





Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[cdogg]

OK, fair enough! [tab]

~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

 

[KellyPenley]

I'm back. Thanks again everyone for the responses. To answer a few questions: Garebo - I have tried both finalizing (closing the discs) and not finalizing them. Also, I know my name's ambiguous, and not that it matters or anything, but just to clarify, I am a he.

Mainegeek - It is a Compaq Presario (I suppose made by HP) with a Sony CRX215E5 CDRW drive.


Just a Ripple in the Ocean,
Kelly

 

[cdogg]

And did you try completely removing Nero, rebooting, and reinstalling/updating?

And like I said before, the only real way you can see if it's the drive is to install it in another PC...

~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

 

[KellyPenley]

Cdoggg - No, I haven't removed Nero yet. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to so that I wouldn't lose my user settings. Do you happen to know which file the Nero user settings are saved to and where it would be located so that I might save the settings?
Also, I don't have access to another PC to test the drive in.

Kelly

 

[cdogg]

No, I'm not sure where those settings are stored. You might find something on Ahead's website...

~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

 

[KellyPenley]

I know it's been a while, but I finally ended up breaking down and buying some Sony brand CD-RWs. What do ya know, it works like a charm with them. I still can't believe that it won't use the first two types of media that I bought though! I would definitely think twice before I bought another Sony drive for that reason alone.
The compatibility issue ought to be something that Sony made widely known to it's consumers.

Once again thanks to all who helped with the advice,
Kelly