New Laptop - query re DVD writing software/ability?

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

We've recently inherited from a relative a fairly new laptop (1 year old ish). It is a HP.

It has a DVD drive but we're trying to work out what this drive actually does - will it write as well as read and can it cope with double layer discs as well as single layer.

On the box it says it has "Lightscribe Super Muli 8 x DVD +/- RW with Double Layer Support. Lightscribe media required and sold separately".

Does this mean the drive will not work at all unless we buy the "Lightscribe" software? Or is there any free to download software that would make the drive work?

We haven't tried it yet as we have no writable discs and don't want to buy them unless the drive actually works.

It seems strange that a laptop should be sold with the drive but then require you to buy the software separately to make it operational.

Would be very grateful if anyone can advise. Many thx.

NiftyDigits

Lightscribe is just an additional feature that prints pictures on optical media. No need for you to buy or pay for any software.

closed

you can use imgburn to write data if you have no software bundled with it or don't want to use windows native support

yes it can read and write dual layer, but the discs are more expensive than single layer, as are lightscribe discs, which you don't need.

-TangleFoot-

Basic data burning has been baked-in since XP; LightScribe software is available here should you need it.

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Quick Comparison:

• Windows XP: Audio/Data CD
• Windows Vista: Audio/Data CD; Video/Data DVD; UDF
• Windows 7: Audio/Data CD; Video/Data DVD; Data BD; UDF; ISO image burning

waterwatereverywhere

Thank you everyone for your speedy and helpful replies - I'm glad it should work as it is without us needing to buy any software, that's great. Have used Imgburn before on another PC so would be happy to download that if need be.

Thank you again.