NEC DVD drive won't detect blank disks (Dell PC)

blackswan2

Hi there,

I have a Dell Dimension pc (8300) probably about 6 years old, the NEC Dvd drive it came with won't detect blank disks - even just from My Computer. It is fine with non-blank dCDs/DVDs and they can be played.

PC is running Windows XP Home v2002 sp3.

The DVD drive is an NEC DVD+RW ND-2100AD.
Driver Version: 5.1.2535.0
Driver date: 01/07/2001

I deleted this driver today and used Add Hardware to reinstall to no avail.

It has had this problem for a couple of years to be honest and so I just haven't cut any CDs etc. but I don't have a memory stick at present and wanted to copy some files for someone and then remembered about this crumby old problem all over again!

Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue appreciated :-)

PS Not sure what other info is pertinent so feel free to ask.
Other driveers include ST3120026AS and HL-DT-ST-DVD-ROM GDR8162B

KillerWatt

If a firmware update doesn't fix it, then it's time for a new drive

PZH

What blank discs are you using ? According to this site the drive will not recognise -R Media ( Only +R Media )

blackswan2

+r .

Iain_L

This may not help, but I had an indentical problem with the DVD drive on my laptop recently and I was dreading having to replace it (Bluray/DVD combo drive in a Sony Vaio laptop...ouch), but just on the off chance I tried a different brand of disc and it worked fine. Might be worth a go?

scot88

Type cd/dvd drive repair in forum search. Click into "lost cd/dvd windows 7 and scroll to to the message that says" try this link from softpedia 100% safe". It sorted mine out in minutes. Sorry for long winded answer but I didn't know how else to explain.

closed

Have you installed itunes.

If you are talking about blank dvd's, you will need some 3rd party software to burn them and see them, eg imgburn, nero, xp doesn't include dvd burning support natively, so won't see a blank disc in explorer

blackswan2

thanks closed, how could I copy a mixture of photos, mp3 files and word docs to a CD - any idea?

closed

try imgburn

Bogtrotter

Have you tried a different brand of disk? I have an NEC drive in my laptop and it has trouble recognising some brands of blank DVD... the Tesco branded media are by far the worst... they hardly ever work in my laptop.

Nothing wrong with the Tesco disks cos they work just fine in my desktop computer which has a Pioneer rewriter.

spannerzone

If you have a CD lens cleaner give that a whirl otherwise a replacement DVD burner can be got for under £20
http://www.ebuyer.com/store/HD-Storage/cat/Optical-Drives/subcat/DVD-RW-IDE-Drives (note your PC uses the IDE connector and not the now standard SATA connection)
and is an easy to install (assuming you're not completely ham fisted!) plus it'll work with a wider range of discs that your +RW version.

CD and DVD drives can just fail without much notice.