Hi. This problem is driving me nuts and I am ready to get a new dvd writer because I have a feeling that might be the problem, but I thought I would try here as a last hurrah. For some reason my DVD writer (HP dvd420e) doesn't want to write dvds anymore. No matter what program I use, (Nero, Recordnow, AudioDVD creator), nor what media I use (Memorex, Maxell DVD-Rs). It reads CDs and DVDs fine, and it writes to CDs fine, but it just gets an error when writing DVDs. The strange thing is that it worked fine 2 days ago, then yesterday it just doesn't. The only difference is that I opened a new package of discs. I know the firmware is up to date, and I have DMA enabled, so I really have no clue what is wrong other than the drive crapping out on me. Here is a nero log I made just to have you guys look at it. any ideas? Windows XP 5.1 IA32 WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.71 (0002), size=45056 bytes, created 7/19/2004 12:41:48 PM ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Core\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 11/2/2004 12:54:32 PM NT-SPTI used Nero Version: 7.0.1.4 Internal Version: 7, 0, 1, 4 (Nero Express) Recorder: <HP DVD Writer 420n> Version: 1.33 - HA 1 TA 1 - 7.0.1.4 Adapter driver: <USB> HA 1 Drive buffer : 2048kB Bus Type : set to ATAPI (3) -> ATAPI, detected: ? CD-ROM: <HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4243N>Version: 1.07 - HA 1 TA 0 - 7.0.1.4 Adapter driver: <IDE> HA 1 === Scsi-Device-Map === DiskPeripheral : TOSHIBA MK8026GAX atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On CdRomPeripheral : HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4243N atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On === CDRom-Device-Map === HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4243N D: CDRom0 HP DVD Writer 420n E: CDRom1 ======================= AutoRun : 1 Excluded drive IDs: WriteBufferSize: 74448896 (0) Byte ShowDrvBufStat : 0 BUFE : 0 Physical memory : 510MB (523248kB) Free physical memory: 174MB (178832kB) Memory in use : 65 % Uncached PFiles: 0x0 Use Inquiry : 1 Global Bus Type: default (0) Check supported media : Disabled (0) 1.6.2007 ISO compilation 6:59:17 AM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6411 Iso document burn settings ------------------------------------------ Determine maximum speed : FALSE Simulate : FALSE Write : TRUE Finalize CD : TRUE Multisession : FALSE Burning mode : DAO Mode : 1 ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char) Character set : ISO 9660 Joliet : TRUE Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE 6:59:17 AM #2 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 525 ReadBuffer-Pipe got 262144KB of Memory 6:59:17 AM #3 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 124 Reader running 6:59:17 AM #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File Geniso.cpp, Line 3312 First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000) 7:00:26 AM #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3342 Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media 7:00:26 AM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 279 Last possible write address on media: 2298495 (510:46.45, 4489MB) Last address to be written: 2119983 (471:06.33, 4140MB) 7:00:26 AM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 291 Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD) 7:00:26 AM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2578 Recorder: HP DVD Writer 420n, Media type: DVD-R Disc Manufacturer: RITEKF - 1 Disc Application Code: 64, Disc Physical Code: 193 7:00:26 AM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 458 >>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<< ========================================= 7:00:26 AM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 847 Setup items (after recorder preparation) 0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 () 2 indices, index0 (150) not provided original disc pos #0 + 2119984 (2119984) = #2119984/471:6.34 relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos -> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2119984 blocks [E: HP DVD Writer 420n] -------------------------------------------------------------- 7:00:26 AM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1059 Prepare recorder [E: HP DVD Writer 420n] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO DAO infos: ========== MCN: "" TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated Tracks 1 to 1: 1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4341727232, ISRC "" DAO layout: =========== __Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________ 0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00 0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00 0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00 2119984 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00 7:00:26 AM #12 Text 0 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 36 SPTILockVolume - completed successfully for FCTL_LOCK_VOLUME 7:00:26 AM #13 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725 Caching of files started 7:00:26 AM #14 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4176 Cache writing successful. 7:00:26 AM #15 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725 Caching of files completed 7:00:26 AM #16 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725 Burn process started at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s) 7:00:26 AM #17 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685 Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0 7:00:26 AM #18 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2580 Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode 7:00:26 AM #19 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 21611 Set BUFE: Buffer underrun protection -> ON 7:00:26 AM #20 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2735 Start write address at LBA 0 DVD high compatibility mode: Yes 7:00:26 AM #21 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8411 ---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ---- Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050 Book Type: DVD-R (2), Part Version: 2.0x (5), Extended Part Version: 2.1 (33) Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h) Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW) End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26127F h End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h (LBN: FFFD0000 h, 4193920 MB) Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist Start sector number of the current Border-Out: 2FE10 h Start sector number of the next Border-In: 2FFA0 h Media Specific [16..63]: 00 60 00 10 20 30 40 50 - 00 00 00 21 00 00 00 00 .`...0@P...!.... 00 02 FE 10 00 02 FF A0 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 7:00:26 AM #22 SPTI -1046 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 323 E: CdRom1: SCSIStatus(x02) WinError(0) NeroError(-1046) Sense Key: 0x02 (KEY_NOT_READY) Sense Code: 0x30 Sense Qual: 0x11 CDB Data: 0x53 00 00 00 00 00 20 59 30 00 00 00 Sense Area: 0x70 00 02 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 30 11 7:00:26 AM #23 CDR -1046 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1799 Illegal disc E: HP DVD Writer 420n 7:00:26 AM #24 TRANSFER -27 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1799 Could not perform start of Disc-at-once 7:00:26 AM #25 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725 Burn process failed at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s) Existing drivers: File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.71 (0002) built by: WinDDK, size=16512 bytes, created 7/19/2004 12:41:48 PM File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.32a, size=20640 bytes, created 4/25/2005 5:03:00 AM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K) File 'Drivers\usb8023.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=12672 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbcamd.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148), size=23808 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbcamd2.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148), size=23936 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbccgp.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=31616 bytes, created 8/3/2004 11:08:48 PM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbd.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148), size=4736 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbehci.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=26624 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbhub.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=57600 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbintel.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=16000 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbio.sys': Ver=1.42.572, size=19805 bytes, created 5/7/2001 6:56:02 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbohci.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=17024 bytes, created 8/4/2004 3:08:38 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbport.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=142976 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbprint.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=25856 bytes, created 8/3/2004 11:01:26 PM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbscan.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=15104 bytes, created 8/3/2004 10:58:46 PM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\USBSTOR.SYS': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=26496 bytes, created 8/3/2004 11:08:48 PM (Adapter driver for rec) File 'Drivers\usbuhci.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=20480 bytes, created 8/4/2004 4:00:00 AM (Adapter driver for rec) Registry Keys: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option) Also one other strange thing I noticed, i'm not sure if it means anything, maybe it has always done this and I never noticed. When I go to my computer, and it has all of my drives listed, it has this listed as a DVD-RW drive (as it should be) but whenever I put a disc in it, it reverts to CD-drive. I don't know if that means anything, but any piece of info to find out what is wrong.
Most dvd-rw's say cd drive when a disc is in them. As for why it wont burn DVD's it might be something as simple as a lens clean. If it says illegal disc it usually means that the disc is copy-protected, but if that is popping up when you are burning something that is strange as it should pop up before hand. Have a look at one of your burn't discs for me, and if there is like a ring of data missing somewhere in the middle than you know its got to do with the lens. But if it is burning fine then just stopping i cant help you. If it doesnt start burning at all you should try another program. (or a different method to disc at once) Otherwise try reinstalling the drivers.
I have tried uninstalling and re-installing the drivers, and the way this thing is built, I can't try cleaning the lens since the writer has a special type of screw that I can't work with, and I doubt it is the lens anyways since it still reads properly and can write CDs fine (I did not see any missing data lines as you suggested.) In which case, I guess I just need to get a new drive, as I figured. Thanks anyways for the help. I just wish I knew what was wrong with it.
OKAY! I just figured it out. There is something about the new memorex and maxell discs that it doesn't like. I found a few older discs from a couple years ago that I hadn't used, and tried one and voila, it works. There must be something with the newer dvd-rs that it doesn't like. Any suggestions on why, or what brands I should try? The only other 2 I can think of are TDK and Sony.
