Can burn data DVD's, CD's, but no video DVD's

[piano632]

What do I look for to troubleshoot a DVD burning problem? The writer will burn data DVD's, CD's, UDF discs, but fails as soon as it starts to write a video DVD. I've used different brands of media, so it's not a media problem. I've used 3 different apps to attempt burning a video disc, but all fail right at the start with an "unspecified error". I've tried burning from 2 different DVD folders made by DVDshrink and TMPGEnc and I find nothing wrong with the video files. What is especially puzzling to me is I had just finished burning a DVD video disc successfully and went to burn another and that's when it started failing. I don't know what I could have done in the 2 min. between those 2 discs. I doubt the burner itself is the problem since it still writes other kinds of discs. Is there something is the OS or BIOS or other things I can check? I've already cleaned the registry and used Check Disc as a longshot.

[unclebud]

Have you rebooted the computer and tried again?

[jameshgross]

I would contact the tech support for the manufacturer of the drive. After all you bought and paid for the drive, let the manufacturer help sort out the problem. You may get a replacement from them.

[aedipuss]

try a different brand of discs first, maybe just a run of bad ones. you might try a firmware update to reset the drive if one is available. some newer drives self-adjust their write strategy and have a "memory" which can cause problems. what drive/firmware/disc combo is causing problems?

[piano632]

OK, apparently there was some kind of corruption in the OS. After completely reinstalling the OS (not a fun task), everything seems to be working now.

[unclebud]

You could have tried the System File Checker. A lot easier to replace key system files then a wipe and re-install.
You might also consider imaging the drive now that you have a clean install so next time you could just re-image to the hard drive. I Ghost all my computers so that if they go south they can be back up in a matter of minutes not hours.
Just a thought.

[piano632]

Well, the problem has resurfaced. Now I'm pretty sure it's the drive because I'm getting errors with other types of discs too. Oh well, it's an old drive (Pioneer 106D) so it's not too great a loss. I tried reflashing the firmware and cleaning the lens to no avail, so I must conclude that it is now dead. I wish I had known this before I completely reinstalled the OS and programs and in the process lost the serial no. for TMPGEnc DVD Author. UGGGH! Recommendations on a new drive, anyone? (Preferably one that writes 5x RAM discs)