optical drive can read but will not burn

[marx321_04]

I've been coming here for at least 5 years and just reading Ive learned a lot thank you.
But now I have a bad problem my optical drive stopped burning. Ive tried different DVD's and CD's from different companies.
It will read the disks fine but it won't burn anything In vista or kubuntu (I dual boot). I've tried Imgburn Nero and Power2go, plus the software the comes with Linux ( I even tried imgburn in Linux). The error messages I get in windows say CRC error. The error message I get in Linux say write failed input output error. Gateway wants me to format and start all over again I had to beg them to do just a little troubleshooting all they want to do is format I think that's a little drastic. I think its just the drive but I was wondering if anyone else ever had this problem.

Thank you

[Brainiac]

Take a look at this post:

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archi...c-t311623.html

Never had this problem, but a quick search here turned up the above post.

Brainiac

[marx321_04]

thank you for your help.
This drive came with the computer never even opened the computer. Worked great last week. I'm tempted to just buy a new one.
Thanks again

[freebird73717]

Failing drive. The lasers in these things don't last forever. Replace it with a new one. You can get a new one for a really good price on newegg.com.

[marx321_04]

Thanks freebird73717.
I'll check them out.

[Bjs]

Read but not burn ... check / replace data cable and at same time upgrade the optical units firmware ... Dell systems data cables were pieces of junk and problematic

[budz]

your gateway pc probably uses the CABLE SELECT on the IDE CABLE. IMHO get a new 80 wire ide cable. As already mentioned laser on the optical drive will not last forever.

[marx321_04]

Thank you Bjs for your response. I will try that.
I see your from Australia, 20 years ago I was there in the Navy. I went to Perth and Sydney two of the best ports I have ever been to, great people.
Thank you

[marx321_04]

Thank you budz

[budz]

^^^Your welx!

[hech54]

Read but not burn ... check / replace data cable and at same time upgrade the optical units firmware ... Dell systems data cables were pieces of junk and problematic

The OP has a Gateway computer and never mentioned Dell.
The only thing Gateway and Dell have in common is a marketing strategy.