My older Pioneer DVR 116D burner stopped recognizing blanks. I purchased a new Pioneer DVR 116D and it only recognizes blank CD+-R disks. It won't recognize blank DVD+-R or CDRW blanks. I've installed the latest version driver. Is the older burner worn out? Can I get the newer burner to recognize all blank disks? dobias
Did you replace the old drive with the new same model? (It sounds little odd… Or is it a typo in a old model#) I believe you meant the firmware. It might be. DVR116D is still in the market. So it maybe depend on how hard you have used. It might just need a little cleaning (canned air). Can you read hard-pressed DVD/CD? If you replaced with a brand new DVR116D, there might be something wrong on your system. Have you checked Device Manager?
Grampyga, Thanks for your response. It's not a typo, I did, indeed, buy the same model. I bought the new one after assuming the old one was worn out or defective. Yes, I've installed the newest driver without luck. While I can operate with Nero, I'd like to be able to operate with MS Windows or Acoustica MP3. The windows 'My Computer' doesn't show the 'pink' unused symbol for a DVD or CD RW. My old burner used to but stopped indicating any CD or DVD. Acoustica MP3 keeps asking for a blank disk. I've checked Device Manager. dobias
Do you have Nero InfoTool (Menu>Nero>Nero Toolkit, as in my Nero 6.)? Under Disk tab, how does it show with a blank DVD and a blank CD? (If Nero can recognize as a blank, the drive may not have a problem.)
grampyga, How right you are! I,too, have Nero 6. I just installed it this week. When using it both blank CDs & blank DVDs are recognized on both the old & new Pioneer burners. Now that I know the burners are OK, is there any suggestion to get them to work with other software programs? If, not, I now know I need to ignore other software indicators. I just have this urge to make everything work. I've got to get over it. dobias
I’m glad to hear that your drives are ok. If your drives are ok, most of burning programs should work. I do not know about Acoustica. Though could you explain little more details of your problem with Windows? May I ask your current AutoPlay setting for your drive? (Right Click on your burner and click Properties to open Drive’s properties window. And click AutoPlay tab.) Mine was set to “Prompt me each time to choose an action” for all. So if I put empty disc, a windows pos up and asks me what I want to do with it. Could you check whether this function works or not?
Do you have to use Acoustica to burn? I find that a lot of non-burning programs added the ability to burn a disc more as an afterthought than anything else, and the quality of the burning engine shows. It may be better to export to a WAV/PCM file, and then burn an audio disc in better burning software, such as BurnAware or CDBurnerXP (both are freeware).
lordsmurf, I find that Nero does a very good job of burning without issues. I do like the way Acoustica finds & brings up music (Acoustica MP3) or photos (Photos Forever). "My computer" isn't showing blanks that Nero does & frankly, that bothers me. If there isn't any ready answer for it, I'll have to accept the MS Windows limitations. Thanks for the information. I'll try BurnAware & CD Burner XP to see how they shape up next to Nero. dobias
grampyga, The old Pioneer DVR 116D doesn't react to the settings you describe, whether CD or DVD. Blank CDs & DVDs show as blue with zero bytes. The new 116D will show a pink blank CD & will have a pop up only when I remove the CD telling me I've removed a CD & "what do I want to do with any files to be copied". It shows a blank DVD as a blue disk & zero bytes used & unused. It also reacts with the same POS about removing the "CD" (not DVD). dobias
Weird! The old 116D has 1x -18x speed. The new 116D only shows 4x-4x. Is there any way to ajust the new 116D's speed ? dobias
Shows in Where? Did you put same type of media? Do those have same firmware version? Regarding windows issue, I’m assuming your system is Windows XP. And following is based on my XP Pro (SP3) system. When you open Drive properties, in “General” tab it shows “Used space” and “Free space”. Click the “AutoPlay” tab. What actions are set for Music CD? (As I mentioned in my previous post, mine was set to “Prompt me each time to choose an action” for all content type.) So every time I put something in the burner, window pops out for me to choose action. As my understanding Win XP is not native to recordable DVD. “Native” may not be a best word to describe, but XP was not ready for recordable DVD when it was released. (There might be some changes in its Service Pack.) So in my Windows Explorer, my burner is showed as “DVD-RAM” when there is nothing in a tray. But when I put blank DVD-R media, it changes to “CD-ROM” and 0 used space and 0 free space are showed in Drive’s Properties window. Though if I put a blank CD, 0 used space and 702MB free space are shoed. I believe XP can recognize a blank DVD media as recordable media (= CD-R), but unrecognizable size. That’s how it is for me and I do not have problem burning CD and DVD. (I know my laptop with Vista is different.) If your drives are acting differently in a same system, there may be something to be fixed. Although I’m thinking that you might be little confused or misunderstand. I hope that you can understand my explanation above. Could you check your drives again? (Drive’s Properties window does not refresh by it self when you change disc. You need to close and open after changing the disc.)
grampyga, I found that info in Nero's tool box as well as in CD Burner XP & Burn Aware Free. Yes, they both have the same version 1.09. My OS is Win XP Media. My wife's laptop has XP Pro, so I'm certain your information is suitable to my PC. I have "prompt me each time to choose an action" selected for both drives.The only time I get a pop up is when I remove the disk. Thank you for that "native" information. I was completely clueless about XP's action with DVDs (that came later). That makes Nero's actions much more understandable from XP's. I was confused before but ,I hope, no longer after your explanation. The drivers are the same models & should show the same speeds. I agree with you,there is something to be fixed, if possible. Thank you for sticking with this problem of mine. I really appreciate your experience & patience. dobias
grampyga, I had Memorex DVD-R disks from the same package in both burners. Something you said made me switch the disks around. The "problem" with the speeds switched with the disks! One disk shows 4x-4x speed while the other shows 1x-18x. While I'm perplexed as to the differences in the disks, at least it isn't the burners at fault. As far as I can see now after your help, I really don't have a hardware problem as much as I had a problem understanding this. If I accept the older burner not showing a "pink" CD, everything seems to be in order. Thanks again, grampyga. dobias
You are very welcome. At same time I thank you too. By reading yours and others post I’m learning too. I do not know why the disc shows 4x-4x. It may be a just one bad disc. Time to time I make coasters, though I’ve really never had a disc which wasn’t recognized correctly. I hope you’ll have good experience with your burners. Cheers!
