[survivorrma]

Hi, I bought a used laptop and have had it for a few weeks and it runs pretty good. Today I wanted to put some information on a CD. It has a CD rewriteable/DVD rom that came with it. I'm not very computer savvy so here's some dumb questions that I have regarding this problem..
1. I tried to install software from a disk (several different ones) and the drive wouldn't read them. Does this type of drive not read software disks?
2. The drive plays DVD's just fine I've watched a whole movie with it already but isn't this a CD burner also?
3. I tried to burn a CD using windows media player and it says that there isn't any CD burners installed.
4. When I click on browse there isn't a letter for this drive unless there is a CD or a DVD in it?

So, am I mistaken and this isn't a burner? Or could it be installed wrong?
Thanks for any help...

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The drive-letter for it should always be shown in My Computer or in any drive-selector dialogue-box, regardless of whether there is a disc in it or not. It should also be capable of reading/installing from all CD software discs. The only problem you may have is with 'home-made' discs (ie not commercial ones) if the disc is a DVD+R type, as some older DVD drives on laptops can only read the DVD-R type, not DVD+R.

To determine whether yours is/is not a cd-writer, go into Control Panel, switch it to "Classic View". Now click the "System" icon. Click the "Hardware" tab. Click the "Device Manager" button.

Now click the 'plus' symbol next to "DVD/CD-ROM Drives".

The make/model of the drive should be listed here. Armed with that info, you can 'google' it to find out if it's a cd-writer, or post info here and one of us will do it for you.

If it does transpire that it is indeed a cd-writer, we'll do our best to help you further.

Edited by pip22, 25 February 2007 - 05:38 AM.

[pip22]

The drive-letter for it should always be shown in My Computer or in any drive-selector dialogue-box, regardless of whether there is a disc in it or not. It should also be capable of reading/installing from all CD software discs. The only problem you may have is with 'home-made' discs (ie not commercial ones) if the disc is a DVD+R type, as some older DVD drives on laptops can only read the DVD-R type, not DVD+R.

To determine whether yours is/is not a cd-writer, go into Control Panel, switch it to "Classic View". Now click the "System" icon. Click the "Hardware" tab. Click the "Device Manager" button.

Now click the 'plus' symbol next to "DVD/CD-ROM Drives".

The make/model of the drive should be listed here. Armed with that info, you can 'google' it to find out if it's a cd-writer, or post info here and one of us will do it for you.

If it does transpire that it is indeed a cd-writer, we'll do our best to help you further.

Edited by pip22, 25 February 2007 - 05:38 AM.

[survivorrma]

Thanks for the kind reply... I did what you said and there isn't any DVD/CD ROMS listed under devices. Maybe it needs to be reinstalled. I thought of that but I don't know how..What a mess. Thanks again for your help. You guys are so smart