CD-RW/DVD-ROM not recognizing blank disks

deathincarnate · 06-07-2008, 07:46 PM

I have an HP pavilion zd8000 laptop that has suddenly decided that it doesn't want to burn discs anymore. It reads perfectly, and seems to recognize a disc in the drive when inserted, but it won't recognize it as blank. If I double-click the drive in "My Computer", it opens a writable cd window that I can drag files to, but when I click "write files to this disc", it tells me to insert a blank cd, even though there is already one in the drive. I checked the recording tab on the properties and the writing box is checked. I checked the IDE controller properties and it's set to DMA when available and the current mode is "Multi-Word" DMA mode 2. I have deleted the upper and lower filters. I have updated the firmware. I have uninstalled and reinstalled. I need new ideas to try. Please help. Thanks.

dai · 06-07-2008, 08:13 PM

check for a bios update
reset the cmos

mommabear · 06-08-2008, 04:46 AM

BIOS updates, IMHO, should be used as a last resort. If something goes wrong, in most cases there's no going back.

There are lots of things you can try first, especially since you stated the problem has recently started and it used to work. Also, are you using XP's built-in burning program? I never used it, but that's what it sounds like to me. I believe it's based on Roxio, which might come into play with another thing we can try, but let's start here first.

Have you looked at your AutoPlay tabs and the choice of what to do when a particular disc is inserted? You could be missing some handlers. Right click the drive, select properties, and then the AutoPlay tab. At the top, use the drop down arrow and see if you have all of these:

Music files
Pictures
Video files
Mixed content
Music CD
DVD movie
Blank CD

Then as you highlight each one, you should see (in the box below) the various "handlers" from which to choose the action to perform for that type of disc. If any haven't been set or got changed somehow, that might be all you have to do. You'll also have a "restore defaults" button there. If you have the Blank CD category, try using the default. Be sure to click the Apply button to set them.

Also some burning programs will take over some options when they shouldn't. Or an uninstalled burning program will leave its handler behind and cause problems. There are tools and utilities to clean up old handlers.

Before trying anything, use System Restore so you can go back to try other things later if needed.

06-07-2008, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
deathincarnate Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 16 OS: winxp sp3	CD-RW/DVD-ROM not recognizing blank disks I have an HP pavilion zd8000 laptop that has suddenly decided that it doesn't want to burn discs anymore. It reads perfectly, and seems to recognize a disc in the drive when inserted, but it won't recognize it as blank. If I double-click the drive in "My Computer", it opens a writable cd window that I can drag files to, but when I click "write files to this disc", it tells me to insert a blank cd, even though there is already one in the drive. I checked the recording tab on the properties and the writing box is checked. I checked the IDE controller properties and it's set to DMA when available and the current mode is "Multi-Word" DMA mode 2. I have deleted the upper and lower filters. I have updated the firmware. I have uninstalled and reinstalled. I need new ideas to try. Please help. Thanks.

06-07-2008, 08:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 40,001 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: CD-RW/DVD-ROM not recognizing blank disks check for a bios update reset the cmos __________________

06-08-2008, 04:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
mommabear Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 269 OS: XP Home Sp2	Re: CD-RW/DVD-ROM not recognizing blank disks BIOS updates, IMHO, should be used as a last resort. If something goes wrong, in most cases there's no going back. There are lots of things you can try first, especially since you stated the problem has recently started and it used to work. Also, are you using XP's built-in burning program? I never used it, but that's what it sounds like to me. I believe it's based on Roxio, which might come into play with another thing we can try, but let's start here first. Have you looked at your AutoPlay tabs and the choice of what to do when a particular disc is inserted? You could be missing some handlers. Right click the drive, select properties, and then the AutoPlay tab. At the top, use the drop down arrow and see if you have all of these: Music files Pictures Video files Mixed content Music CD DVD movie Blank CD Then as you highlight each one, you should see (in the box below) the various "handlers" from which to choose the action to perform for that type of disc. If any haven't been set or got changed somehow, that might be all you have to do. You'll also have a "restore defaults" button there. If you have the Blank CD category, try using the default. Be sure to click the Apply button to set them. Also some burning programs will take over some options when they shouldn't. Or an uninstalled burning program will leave its handler behind and cause problems. There are tools and utilities to clean up old handlers. Before trying anything, use System Restore so you can go back to try other things later if needed. __________________ YES WE CAN! Last edited by mommabear : 06-08-2008 at 04:49 AM.