cd/dvd write drive help request.

[jow104]

I am in trouble again, everytime I place a blank CD into my write drive my PC (XP2home) goes black and shuts down and reboots on its own, it then wants to do a hard drive scan (which I cancel) I eventually get to a windows opening ( do see a message telling me the system has recovered from a serious error)

My copy software also creates a shut down after this if I then request copy.. However instead of copying in the normal fashion I go to Windows Explorer and drag the folders from my E drive to my D drive(writing drive) and I get a working copy.

However can anyone tell me what is going wrong and the cure, without visiting the bank account!

[ozwinner]

Try uninstalling the cd drive.
Control panel>system>hardware>device manager>click on drive>do not use this device.
Then reboot your computer, the computer will see the new hardware and install the gooder software for it.

Failing that, open the computer with the power off, unplug the devise boot the computer.
Turn off and plug in the devise.
Turn back on the computer and it should see and, re boot the devise with the drivers in place.


Dont forget I am a brickie and know bugger all.

Al :)

[Ianab]

If you can write the CDs with windows explorer then it sounds like your hardware is OK.
I would un-install the CD writing software, Nero or NTI or whatever is installed. You should have a CD to install it again. Sounds like the writing software is broken.

Cheers

Ian

[jow104]

Thanks Al and ianab.

I think I will have to install a new writng software program, (the present set up is Pinacle and that is embedded on one of those windows/PC reload disks etc.)

I have got an old Nero 5 from windows 98 days, what do you think?

I dont want to crash my computer because as you know I am travelling in 10 days and dont want to be computerless the next few days.

[Captain Chaos]

G'day jow104,
Have you just installed the CD / DVD write drive? If you have, you may have to set the drive up as the slave drive as your "E" drive is probably already set as the master drive. I encountered a similar problem early this year when I replaced my CD burner with a CD / DVD burner & booted up. My "D" drive ( CD / DVD reader ) was set as the master drive & the original cd burner was set as the slave. The new CD / DVD burner also had the bridge set in the master position. The computer just sort of threw its hands in the air & said " It's just all too hard" & wouldn't boot up correctly.
Don't know if this is of any help to you - I may be way off track, but just thought that I'd mention it.
Regards,
Barry.

[jow104]

Barry you might be on to something there because I got a message saying it couldn't copy from an empty drive.

So.

I am going to ask my neighbour to do some copies for me, they owe me!!!!

[Cliff Rogers]

...everytime I place a blank CD into my write drive my PC (XP2home) goes black and shuts down and reboots on ......
Easy, don't put a blank CD in the drive, problem solved. :D

[Captain Chaos]

I'm not sure now, but I think that I got a similar message when I was having problems. With both drives set up as master drives there was a conflict & the software / computer would not recognise either drive, but would work if I disconnected the cd / dvd burner.
Regards,
Barry.

[Captain Chaos]

Easy, don't put a blank CD in the drive, problem solved. :D
Cliff, you're a blanky genius! :D You're not just a pretty face, eh?:D:D;)
Have a good one,
Barry.

[Ashore]

As Al said remove the drive and re-install, another fix you can also try is to have a programe disk in the drive when you turn your computer on , encarta , printshop or something like that , the computer may then recognize the drive as it boots up, I had to do this with a drive that was on its way out until I could replace it.

Rgds

[jow104]

As Al said remove the drive and re-install, another fix you can also try is to have a programe disk in the drive when you turn your computer on , encarta , printshop or something like that , the computer may then recognize the drive as it boots up, I had to do this with a drive that was on its way out until I could replace it.

Rgds

THANKS ASHORE.
That worked, although I had to make a quick move getting the disk in before shut down!!!!!!!

[Iain]

Alternate method, sit in front of computer, have brief conversation advising you will reprogramme with an axe if it doesn't behave (Fawlty Towers method).

[Daddles]

Basil uses tree branches doesn't he?

[jow104]

Alternate method, sit in front of computer, have brief conversation advising you will reprogramme with an axe if it doesn't behave (Fawlty Towers method).


Yes Iain, it certainly needs a talking too. I think it is going into a sulk because the PC knows he will be redundant (and no redundancy pay) in 10 days time!

He's paying me back at the moment, everytime I boot up he wants to do a disk scan,but I knock him off his perch and touch the keyboard in under ten seconds.

[Auld Bassoon]

Try uninstalling the cd drive.
Control panel>system>hardware>device manager>click on drive>do not use this device.
Then reboot your computer, the computer will see the new hardware and install the gooder software for it.

Failing that, open the computer with the power off, unplug the devise boot the computer.
Turn off and plug in the devise.
Turn back on the computer and it should see and, re boot the devise with the drivers in place.


Dont forget I am a brickie and know bugger all.

Al :)

Brickie or not Al, your advice is sound - except that I would also uninstall the CD writing swineware after your first step - assuming that a copy of the drivers are available on CD - else download a copy from the manufacturer's web site first (probably a better option as they are more likely to be current).

Auld Bassoon who's an IT architect not a techie :D

Edit: After seeing some of the other comments on Master/Slave configuration, there may be something there, but if it was working before, and you haven't messed with it, I'd still be think sh!teware corruption. In any case that Master/Slave stuff is pretty old hat since the inception of SATA drives. How old's your PC John?

[Cliff Rogers]

So I was right, don't put a blank disk in the drive. :D

[jow104]

Cliff its the hard drive it wants to scan!

Auld Bassoon,
The PC is over three years old with around 100 gbs on the hard drive and has not had a reformat ( or reload in my case), I think it might be down to a conflict, I was given a portable hard drive last week (which did not have any documentation and its source was ebay)
However with only 10 more days to go I shall crash it out on the 9th day and if still playing up I shall canabalise it on my return.

[Captain Chaos]

See if you can get hold of a copy of Scott Muellers "Upgrading & Repairing PC's" at your local library. This book is regarded as the computer users / repairers bible. Scott updates / rewrites this book virtually every year but does not exclude information from earlier editions. I reckon that there will be some reference to your problem in there, along with a description on how to rectify the fault.
Regards,
Barry.