A04 DVD-R Burner Compaitable?

**Primenal** · 03-06-2004,03:41 AM

Alright, I got a stupid noob question

. Right now I got an Hp Pentium 4 computer with a DVD+R burner. I also used to have a cd drive below that, but I took it out and put a regular DVD drive in there (out of my old computer). So, anyways I bought an A04 DVD-R Burner because the + burners, or at least my + burner doesn't seem all that great...So, I took out my + burner, inserted the -, and then started my computer up...Windows would not load! Then, one time I tried it and it said something was "incompaitable." So, I got the bright idea of switching the regular dvd drive around with the burner...That worked, and windows loaded up, but my computer only recognized it as a CD burner or something....Whenever I went to MY COMPUTER it said DVD-RW drive on the left side, but on the right it said CD DRIVE. It would load up cd's just fine, but I couldn't get it to load 1 single damn dvd (not even an original).

So, is this not compaitable with my computer? Probaly says something in my manual, but got so many manuals, and papers laying around don't feel like searching through all this stuff.

**necrolop** · 03-06-2004,02:30 PM

Your computer is fine. But what I would imagine as the problem is all the crap HP put on the computer. What I would do is refmormat and install XP from an XP disc, not the HP recovery disc.

**thetieger** · 03-06-2004,02:57 PM

how many IDE devices do you have?? if so what are they each on (master slave, primary secondary)

and I would advise against necro's "advice" it should work fine without reformating, only use that as a last measure.

**Primenal** · 03-13-2004,12:09 AM

Well, it's messed up...I have 2 drives...My DVD-RW burner (now) and also a dvd rom drive (old one that came out of my old computer). I tried to put DVD-RW as my master, but windows Xp won't load. I put it as my slave, it loads fine, but IT ONLY LOADS CDS! No dvd's will load, but when I goto my computer it says "DVD-RW drive".
Don't really understand the problem...Why would it read cds fine, but not dvds?

Steelerz37 · 03-13-2004,12:20 AM

are you trying blank dvd's when you say it will not load? if you havent tried a dvd movie or something already try that....im not sure what the problem would be, but since it boots up and sees the drive, I would say everything is physically connected and configured ok....I would think at this point it would be a problem with the dvd-r drive or a software problem....get back to me about what exactly wont load....ya know, I just thought, it seems to me that I read somehwere that some dvd-r burners wouldnt read dvd+r correctly....I'm betting if thats the case the discs you tried were burned dvd+r and that is your problem. try an original movie or something if you havent already and get back

**Primenal** · 03-13-2004,12:28 AM

Yea, I tried a couple original movies...It just keeps loading, and loading (light keeps going on and on)...The same movies will work in my oldass DVD Rom Drive though. The burner seems fine though, and everything seems like it works: Reads cds fine, burns cds fine, sounds fine, hooked up fine, etc...Just won't load ANY dvds. I think I have a blank - dvd also that I got in a trade (it's a white princo so i'm not for sure if it is or not)...Since my old burner was a plus don't got any - media yet.

I was thinking if I can't get it to work right on my computer then maybe sell it, and use that money to go on a external dual format dvd drive.

**RAISTLIN** · 03-13-2004,11:18 PM

Sounds like you have a configuration issue preventing proper BIOS translation of the drives. If it cannot resolve the drives priority it can lock everything up at the BIOS level and nothing loads at all. Otherwise there may be a poor/missing pin/cable connection or internal drive problem.

Make sure the BIOS has the "AUTO" options set for the Master/Slave slots on the IDE channel you are installing on. If the Slave slot is disabled or set to CD it may not be detecting properly. Scratch the second drive for a minute and just install the A04 on the cable by itself, setting the jumpers for Cable Select (CS). It is documented that the A04 works best when on the Secondary IDE in the Master cable position. While you are changing it's position on the cable, check the pins where the cable plugs in . It is very easy for one of these to get just slightly bent, and when you push the cable on it bends it all the way down. Run into this a lot--just happened a few weeks back with an HP CD-RW that would read fine, but burn nothing. You also might want to test it with a different cable--preferably an 80 pin (ATA100 grade or higher) for good measure if you have one. If the pins are ok and it does not work when by itself in CS (or Master only) mode, then you have likely got a faulty drive.

If it works right when on the channel by itself, THEN add the DVD-ROM to the second spot on the cable. It should work fine if you set the DVD-ROM as Slave, but may need to set it as Cable Select as well. Sometimes you have to take the reverse approach and set the A04 as Master (slave present) and set the Slaved drive as CS. 9/10 times the jumper configuration is the culprit (after the bent pin or bad cable issue).

CD/DVD drives don't really need a special driver for Windows (they are mostly managed by firmware, the "driver" is more like a command bridge to the firmware). Since most all of them use the same generic driver, if one drive works just fine, the other should as well unless it has something physically wrong with it. The exception of course is burning software that requires a descriptor file update (ie px engine for RNM) or ASPI layer update so it can issue the right commands to control it properly.

Good Luck!

Raist

**Primenal** · 03-13-2004,11:56 PM

Yea, but if I make it the "master" my windows WILL NOT LOAD.

**RAISTLIN** · 03-14-2004,12:08 AM

Was that with the other drive attached to the cable as well? If so, did you change the other drive to Slave or CS? Was the drive in the master position on the cable (ATA100 controllers can be picky about this, you used to be able to get around it with ATA33/66 or older, not so true nowadays). Please try it as "CS" by itself in the Master cable position, or with no jumper installed (sets it to either "Master Only" or CS for nearly every IDE device on the market).

You need to confirm that it won't work when installed by itself on the Secondary channel. This will be the first thing any tech support rep will have you try if you call in. This is the best way to rule out a problem with the drive itself. DVD Burners and high speed CD-RW's can be very picky about the jumper settings. Some won't even share the channel with another burner worth a flip at all. Isolate the drive as an issue by itself. Then you can investigate compatability with the second drive afterwards.

Again, if it will not load and work right in Windows when installed properly by itself on the Secondary IDE channel and another drive does, then you have a faulty drive. This needs to be tested for certain so you have the best chance of getting it replaced or a refund on the purchase.

Raist

**Primenal** · 03-14-2004,12:12 AM

Alright, thanks a lot...DAMN though, I'm tired of taking this thing out and in. I beleive the only way I tried it was Burner being Master, and Regular DVD ROM drive as slave...So, I guess i'll try it by itself. I really don't wanna keep the drive anyways (cd's take twice as long to copy compared to my newer + burner that came with the computer). Guess i should try it though if I'm going to be selling it

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