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Can't burn CD's but can burn DVDs
Name: lesstjake182 Date: February 22, 2009 at 14:36:26 Pacific OS: Windows XP CPU/Ram: 2/2 Product: Dell / 1420 Subcategory: General
Comment:
This is a very strange problem I'm noticing. My dell laptop (1420) won't burn CD's anymore. I'm using PowerISO. It says burn successful but never does the burn and the disk is then a coaster. It only happens for CD-R's though...I've tried a couple of brands. DVD-R's work fine though.
Name: pyrolitic Date: February 22, 2009 at 18:50:17 Pacific
Reply:
There are 2 different lasers and tracking mechanisms for writing DVDs and CDs. The one for the CDs is broken. There's a slim chance that the problem is that the mechanism has just gotten out of sync or something and maybe upgrading the firmware in the unit will jog it back. Check on the manufactuers website for support for your model and see if they provide the firmware and software for installing the firmware. It probably won't fix it, but it won't make it any worse unless you screw up the firmware install.
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Response Number 2
Name: lesstjake182 Date: March 3, 2009 at 14:25:36 Pacific
Reply:
That didn't work. Guess I have to replace it
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Response Number 3
Name: OtheHill Date: March 3, 2009 at 14:44:50 Pacific
Reply:
You could try a lense cleaning kit. There are two separate lasers in most combo burners. The one for the CDs may be dirty enough that the laser can't penetrate sufficiently.
If you had a desktop computer I would just advise you to replace the drive. However, laptop optical dries are more expensive so it may be worth it to try the cleaning kit.
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Response Number 4
Name: lesstjake182 Date: March 3, 2009 at 14:51:32 Pacific
Reply:
I am sending my laptop in for repair anyway so I can just have them replace the drive too.
Thanks
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Response Number 5
Name: OtheHill Date: March 3, 2009 at 15:30:47 Pacific
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