DVD writer -R and +R blank disks

hmr516 · 08-27-2006, 04:13 PM

When I bought my computer, I was told the computer ( a Compaq Presario ) had a -R dvd reader and writer. I burned maybe 50 dvds, copying things like files, home video's etc. The last two weeks, whenever I tried to write to a disk, the computer did not recognize the blank disks. I kept getting a message to insert a blank disk. Today, I looked at the drive by going into Control panel, system, device drivers, etc. The drive is shown as a Ricoh DVD +RW MP5240A drive. Is it possible that this drive takes only +R dvd blank disks? I don't have one to try, or I would not have posted this. Please tell me that it is not possible to change a -R drive to a +R drive by doing something on the computer. Thanks for your help

**jnob** · 08-28-2006, 10:57 AM

You can check the manufacturer's web site for drivers and firmware which may be affecting your ability to burn DVD-R. However if nothing in your computer has changed recently it's likely the drive has just burnt out. Most drives unfortunately cannot handle that many burns before they go out. My pioneer lasted about 300 burns, which is pretty good. Most of my cd burners only lasted about 150 burns. It's always worth trying a DVD+R though, even if your drive is burnt out on DVD-R it may burn +R when electronics start to fail sometimes they do odd things like that. You may also want to try another software, allthough if the drive is failiing these are only temporary fixes.

08-27-2006, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
hmr516 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 36 OS: win98	DVD writer -R and +R blank disks When I bought my computer, I was told the computer ( a Compaq Presario ) had a -R dvd reader and writer. I burned maybe 50 dvds, copying things like files, home video's etc. The last two weeks, whenever I tried to write to a disk, the computer did not recognize the blank disks. I kept getting a message to insert a blank disk. Today, I looked at the drive by going into Control panel, system, device drivers, etc. The drive is shown as a Ricoh DVD +RW MP5240A drive. Is it possible that this drive takes only +R dvd blank disks? I don't have one to try, or I would not have posted this. Please tell me that it is not possible to change a -R drive to a +R drive by doing something on the computer. Thanks for your help

08-28-2006, 10:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
jnob TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Valley Posts: 692 OS: XP Pro, SP2 My System	You can check the manufacturer's web site for drivers and firmware which may be affecting your ability to burn DVD-R. However if nothing in your computer has changed recently it's likely the drive has just burnt out. Most drives unfortunately cannot handle that many burns before they go out. My pioneer lasted about 300 burns, which is pretty good. Most of my cd burners only lasted about 150 burns. It's always worth trying a DVD+R though, even if your drive is burnt out on DVD-R it may burn +R when electronics start to fail sometimes they do odd things like that. You may also want to try another software, allthough if the drive is failiing these are only temporary fixes. __________________ Everest Memtest86