Why won't my cd-writer recognize my discs?

by radcad92 May 20, 2005 11:32AM PDT

Everytime I try to write,burn or copy any music,pix or data it keeps telling me to insert disc. I've tried 6 different brands of discs. I've removed & reinstalled it & drivers. It used to work fine. I can still play cds & watch dvds. HD starting to make "weird" noises. Think it's getting ready to blow. Sure would like to back-up some stuff.

Discussion is locked

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In quick order...

by Willy May 20, 2005 11:53AM PDT

You didn't mention how old it was. If more than a 1yr. old, it maybe showing signs of age. If you haven't yet, use a CD lens cleaner to do its work. If it still fails, replace as the cost is less in order to do your back-up before your HD crashes(?).

tada -----Willy

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Because drives die.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 20, 2005 11:53AM PDT

CDRW drives are spotted around town for 20 bucks. DVD dual layer writers are on the internet for 50 to 99 bucks.

They don't last but a few years.

Bob

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Disappointing

by radcad92 May 21, 2005 6:59AM PDT

the pc's almost 3 yrs old but I've only use the cd-writer about 10 times. Seems hardly worth the trouble & expense. So what would I do once I buy a new one. I'm not very Pc savey. Can't I just move all my data & pix to one of those "Hosts"?

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May not count (10 times.)

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 21, 2005 7:11AM PDT

One of the factors in such device life is power on hours. At 3 years you are approaching the usual 5 year time frame when the hard disk vanishes.

As such, you can deal with backups now or wait to see what happens.

Another issue is that a 20 to 30 buck drive in 3 years seems not so bad.

Bob

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Do these HDs come with expiration dates?

by radcad92 May 21, 2005 1:36PM PDT

I don't understand why everyone is so resigned to having to get a new PC every 3-5 years. Like no big deal, nothing you can do about it, just give them more money. They've given a new meaning to built in obsolescence. Guess I'll just have to go back to hardcopying everything.

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You caused this.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 21, 2005 11:09PM PDT

Not you alone. The insistentance for lowest possible price has made one vendor offer a short lifespan product, one after another.

At one time a CD writer was over 1 thousand dollars. It was big news as it went under 1,000, then 100, and some bright company went under 20. The companies that didn't follow had no sales.

We are to blame.

Bob

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Abit more...

by Willy May 22, 2005 6:49AM PDT

After 3-5yrs. so much can change to make that old system truly seem old. It may work 100% and still do its job, but a new system can do that plus leverage into anything else within the short term. That's the nature of the computing beast. Remember, pricing reflects alot of what's out there and a low-level system can do what a top-end system of 3 years ago did. A new top-end system has some legs and last abit longer before even thinking of getting new, but again time catches up on these too.

enjoy -----Willy

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Not what I'm looking for

by radcad92 May 22, 2005 11:01AM PDT

Those of us that don't want a ''bigger, faster, more more more, can't get enough, my computer can beat up your computer''system, that just want something to keep photos & files in, no IM no games nothing fancy are still having to pay for all the bells & whistles not used. I don't know but that chunk of change is more than my budget can handle (I live debt free). Had I known that these things only last for so long (of course nothings in info or manual) I would have saved my money. You'll never be ahead in this game.

Why won't my cd-writer recognize my discs?

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