[Caine]

I have been having some trouble using my cd burner recently, and making quite a few coasters. But now I am unable to get my PHILIPS CDRW2412A to even recognise a cd when it's inserted anymore. It just makes a few whirring noises similar to a car that won't start when you turn the key, and then it gives up. I've had a go uninstalling the drive and rebooting, but, as Samm foresaw in a similar thread, it failed!

What can I do before shelling out for a new burner?

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kiss the phillips goodbye first of course...haha..you could try cleaning the lense..dont put too much money into that tho cause a new burner is nt that expensive

[ssone]

kiss the phillips goodbye first of course...haha..you could try cleaning the lense..dont put too much money into that tho cause a new burner is nt that expensive

[Caine]

I have a lens cleaner, but it's not a lot of use in all fairness though ssone if the cd isn't going to move when inserted into the drive, eh?

Any other plans?


And, as ssone has already mentioned the fate I was dreading; I may as well prepare for the worst I suppose and ask what sort of recommendations do ppl have for a new cdrw, good value-wise as well as durability. I don't want to shell out for another one after only a few months again! In fact, now I think of it; is there such a thing as a drive that burns both cd's and dvd's, or did I just dream that?

[ssone]

Yes, it can burn both, however, I've heard many a warning about getting a drive that does everything, ppl and websites say they dont last as long. I have a dvd drive/burner and a seperate cd drive/burner.

Just look at best buy, or somewhere like that..

here are some from a great company where I got my motherboard:

http://usa.asus.com/...cal/opindex.htm

[Caine]

Although I will follow your advice RE: cdr/dvdr combined being a bad idea, I am going to get myself a seperate dvdr. But the cdr however, just one last thing before I give up: this machine is running win2k, but I have access to a WinXP machine. Is it at all possible for someone to explain step-by-step how I could go about taking the cdr drive from this machine and trying it on the other one, on the off-chance it works over there? I saw someone recommend something llike this in another thread in case it's not the cdr that's the problem.

[ssone]

gotta make this quick cuz i gotta run"

uninstall it, open comp, remember how (ex: which plug goes where) take it out, (uninstall the second comps cd drive the same way as the first), put it in second comp same way, install drive, then test it.

[Caine]

Hold the press! What iiiiif... I set up a network between the win2k and the winXP upstairs? I'm not 100% confident about pulling the pc insides apart. It's not quite full-on technophobia, but knowing my luck, something's just bound to go wrong

If they're connected can not I send the file/s to burn, from Nero, to the WinXP's CDR drive which will burn the V/CD's?

And if the answer's to these questions are yes, is there a tutorial that will outline what I need to do this?

[ edit: the network question is more appropriate in the networking forum I'm guessing (and so will the mods i reckon), so here's the link to the question over there: http://www.geekstogo...etc-t37540.html ]

Edited by Caine, 20 June 2005 - 12:06 AM.

[Caine]

Sorry I never got back sooner, but this post slipped down the list and was nearly forgotten altogether. I just thought I'd close the thread by thanking you for the advice ssone. I took the cdr out, and it turns out it was the problem. Since it's always been like that I just assumed it was normal for burning cd's to be a mystical business involving wisps of scented smoke and magical chants around a fire at midnight.

The lads where the pc was bought were dead decent though, and replaced the dodgy one with a sparkly new Toshiba, and now all is well. Now I just need a few shekels to rub together so I can buy a dvd burner. Btw, one last question: is it possible (possibly using some of the aforementioned wizardry) to convert a dvd recorder into a dvd burner?

[ssone]

Btw, one last question: is it possible (possibly using some of the aforementioned wizardry) to convert a dvd recorder into a dvd burner?

I don't know...your the wizzard, however, I, as a human, know that it is not possible for us humans to pull that off.

If you use a couple computers I reccommend getting an external burner. I have an awsome 52x24x53 one that was from $40 to $60.

Hope all goes well

[Caine]

Ah well, I thought there was maybe a doo-dah or connector of some description that might have been invented already.

What's $40-60 in €? about €50-70 I think. I'd imagine that no. being even bigger if it was being shipped over here. I just looked at ebay, and they seem to be a LOT more pricey if it's a new one you're after.

Btw, what does 52x24x53 mean, is that the manufacturers name, or something to do with specs or something?