Problems with 'new' Liteon DVD rewriter.

[Bugsy]

Hello.

 

When the CD-ROM drive on my ageing XP desktop went kaput, I decided to upgrade it to a DVD rewriter to make it more desirable for sale.

 

I bought a 'good' Liteon SOHW-832S drive which seems to be in good working order - but it has 'issues'...

 

If I insert a CD-ROM, it plays it ok, but it won't recognise or write to CD-RW or DVD+RW blank discs, returning error messages such as "K:is not accessible. Incorrect function", or asking me to insert a disc when there is already one there.

 

I have downloaded and successfully 'flashed' the latest firmware from the Liteon site which has made no difference, but what I don't understand is that the website doesn't appear to carry actual DRIVERS for the drive. The driver - under device manager - is the usual 'Windows' one, 5.1.2535.0. It reports that it's working 'ok'.

 

Do I need a proper driver to make it work. Or do I need software such as 'Nero' before it'll record?

 

My desktop has a separate, original, CD-RW drive too which is working fine

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Tootech]

You don't need any drivers to make it work.

 

What burning software do you use now?

 

It's worth trying one of these two bits of software, both free and both well thought of.

 

CDBurnerXP: Introduction and News

 

The Official ImgBurn Website

 

Also, try going into Device Manager, uninstalling both CD/DVD drives, rebooting and letting Windows find them again and install the drivers.

 

If that makes no difference, set your new drive as Master, plug it into the end connector of the IDE cable (thats the Secondary Master), and leave the other drive disconnected - does it work now?

[Bugsy]

Hi again Tootech (you helped previously with a remote printing enquiry)!

 

It seems to be working ok as a 'read' drive, but won't accept any attempts to write on to it. Er, I guess because I'm not using a burning software...? I guess it's behaving like the old CD-ROM drive it replaced!

 

I'll try the software you suggest. I wonder what my existing CDRW drive uses - with that I just drag any files I want burning straight on to it, and away it goes.

 

If the burning software doesn't manage to transform it to a writing drive, I'll try your other suggestions.

 

It's already set (using the jumpers) as the master optical drive, just like the one it replaced.

 

Thanks for the ideas - I'll report back.

[Bugsy]

You've come up trumps again, Tootech!

 

The drive works perfectly using Imgburn as you suggested - many thanks for that.

 

What I don't understand is why the existing CD-RW drive works in a straight-forward manner through Windows, whereas this new drive needs 3rd-party software?

 

Eg: if I 'right-click' on a file or folder, I have the usual options to 'Send to...' and the list includes all my card readers, email, docs, etc AND the original CD-RW drive - but NOT my new drive. If I then select my old CD-RW drive, the folder is sent to a temp folder ready for burning and a 'balloon' pops up showing the files ready for burning, with options to burn/delete etc - it all seems to be a Windows feature with no 3rd party software involved; all very clear and automatic. Is there any way I can make my new drive behave like this? At the moment I need to open up Imgburn first and use it to search for the files I wish to burn. Do you know what software is controlling my original CR-RW drive?!

 

Thanks a million.

[Tootech]

I am wondering if you have been using CD-RW's?

 

with options to burn/delete etc

You can only delete with a CD-RW - ie a re-writeable CD. CD-RW's do utilise drag and drop writing.

 

Thats the only thing I can think of.

.

[Bugsy]

You mean if I place a CD-RW disc into my new drive I'll be able to drag and drop to it? But not if I put a DVD+or-RW disc in there? I'll try that!

 

Anyway, you have certainly provided a solution - which explains, I guess, why brand new drives usually come with Nero or similar?

 

Can I ask one further - slightly associated - Q please?! I carried out a system restore since the original CDROM drive was removed yonks ago, and the drive letters for the various drives have changed. The original CDROM drive used to be 'E:', the CD-RW 'F:', etc. Now my new drive has been demoted to 'K:'...

 

Can you tell me how to re-assign the drive letters for the various drives - discs, hard drives, etc?

 

Many thanks again, Tootech.

[RandyL]

I don't think XP has native software for burning DVD's. Only CD's. For that you need third party software.

[Tootech]

I am wondering if we have a bit of confusion going on - there are CD-R and CD-RW discs available ( and the DVD versions too).

 

As far as I know you cannot do drag and drop with CD-R's, burning software IS required. Media Player will do it, but I don't know whether or not you need a burning program installed for that to work - can anyone else confirm that?

 

You can drag and drop to CD-RW's. You can also wipe CD-RW's and start again. That facility is not available with CD-R's.

 

Looking back through the thread you have only mentioned RW discs, the software used for RW's would be something like Direct CD, InCD, DLA. You will probably have something like that installed.

 

Software for burning the R's is what I referred to earlier.

 

I hope that makes some sense to you :D

 

Have a look at the links for ways to change your drive letters.

 

Changing Drive Letters in Windows XP

 

How to change drive letter assignments in Windows XP

 

Don't change your hard drive C: letter - it could prevent your computer booting.

[Plastic Nev]

The only reason I can think of as to why Windows allocated the letter K to that drive would be because you had other drives plugged in to the USB ports at the time. If all other drives are removed before the next time you boot up, see what letter Windows gives it then.

Also, as Randy mentions, I also don't think Windows has the in built ability for writing to DVD. Even plain files, and not things like music or video can be done without third party software.

[Bugsy]

Hi again RandyL (yep, you've helped me on a previous thread as well!)

 

I'm pretty sure the CD-burning software on my XP machine is, as you say, 'native' as it works directly (right-click, 'Send to...') and no other software 'name' appears at any time.

 

It makes sense, too, that DVD-burners needs to be 3rd party, and I'm all set up now thanks to Tootech.

 

Plastic Nev, yes, I have a multi-card reader plugged in to a USB port, and every 'drive' in it has been allocated a drive letter! I'll try what you suggest, and will no doubt have a solution either with your suggestion or with Tootech's links.

 

Gents, what a forum! My other experince of 'help' forums (DIY and kitcars...!) is of many well-meaning people falling over themselves to help, but with 90% of replies completely missing the point! On here, every answer has been so clear and concise - quite astonishing really.

 

Genuine thanks, guys!

[Guest Wolfeymole]

We are humbled, thank you Bugsy. :)

[Tootech]

Thankyou for your kind comments Bugsy - they are very much appreciated :D

[Plastic Nev]

Thank you too Bugsy, it is always great to see we have helped in whatever way we can.

Nev.