DVD burner makes every DVD+R & DVD+RW a coaster

[opus11]

I have a DVD burner come with Dell 9150 with WinXP Pro. It worked well for the first 30 DVD+Rs, never made any coasters.

However, recently, every DVD+R it burns became a coaster; so I tried to use DVD+RW, instead, to burn. I got the error messages on every DVD+RW saying certain segments error, but each DVD+RW has different segments with error.

I used the same software ImgBurn, same spindle since the first DVD+R I burn; and same spindle of DVD+RW which has no problem before.

I even re-formatted the DVD+RW from Windows Explorer, (sometimes, the re-format got error) and copy a huge file to the DVD+RW, and the copy operation got error. But, there is no problem to read the already burned DVDs.

Would you please help me to figure out what is wrong?

Is the problem from virus on my PC?

Does the laser gun of DVD writer lost the power?

I even open the writer and clean up the dust on the laser lenz, but it did not help at all.

[BetaMaster]

Most likely culprit is the media you are using. Try a small sample of something really good like Verbatim and see if the problem goes away. I had the same problem with my first burner where everything worked fine then every disc had errors. Once I started paying for better media the problem pretty much went away.

[opus11]

but, I use Verbatim

[oldandinthe way]

Just what drive came with your DELL? Some drives are more subject to infant mortality.

I don;t suppose you have any test software. PC-Doctor or even Nero CD/DVDSpeed

Downlod Nero CD/DVD speed and test your drive

https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Nero_CD-DVD_Speed

[jman98]

This may not help, but I have seen weird problems like this fixed by upgrading the firmware on your DVD burner. Again, I can't guarantee that this will fix the problem, but I had a similar problem in the past and it did fix my problem. However, I have offered this suggestion to others who told me that it did nothing for them.

I've never heard of a virus that can destroy DVD burners, so I think we can rule that out. Yes, it is possible that your burner is just going bad prematurely. You don't say how long you've had the PC, but if it's under warranty, it might be best to ask for a replacement.

[VegasBud]

opus11,

The best way to diagnose a burning problem is by checking a burn log. If you will post one, we can probably get your burning back on track in the least amount of time, and with the best results. You can use one of the RWs to get the log without wasting a disk.

Welcome to VideoHelp.

[bevills1]

I'd first try firmware update if not already tried. I recently got a new LiteOn SHM-165P6S external burner that made coasters on +R media but burns +R media perfectly after update to latest firmware.

[OneSickPup]

If that is a Dell Dimension 91xx series then it is probably going to be an OEM LG GWA 4164B, a NEC 3530 or a Phillips 8631. Firmware updates for all 3 models are available at Dell Support. I can't speak for the others but that LG (since it's an oem GWA and not the GSA) is not supported by LG directly.

[opus11]

Thank you all.

I have th Dell 9150 over one year. The warranty is already expired.

The DVD writer is HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B.

I use ImgBurn, where is the burn log?

[Jim44]

I use ImgBurn, where is the burn log?

Easy to find. Start ImgBurn, go to the "Help" menu, select "ImgBurn Logs..." An Explorer window should pop up - open the log file shown.

Jim

[Krispy Kritter]

As OneSickPup pointed out, get the updated LG firmware from Dell.

And still post the log here, it will still help.

[opus11]

Thank you all for the help. The following is the Burn Log. Most of DVDs got the same error messages except different sectors #:

; //****************************************\\
; ImgBurn Version 2.2.0.0 - Log
; Tuesday, 06 March 2007, 22:17:55
; \\****************************************//
;
;
I 20:08:28 ImgBurn Version 2.2.0.0 started!
I 20:08:28 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)
I 20:08:28 Total Physical Memory: 1,046,620 KB - Available: 604,372 KB
I 20:08:28 Initialising SPTI...
I 20:08:28 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
E 20:08:30 CreateFile Failed! - Device: '\\.\CdRom0' (E:)
E 20:08:30 Reason: The device is not ready.
W 20:08:30 Errors were encountered when trying to access a drive.
W 20:08:30 This drive will not be visible in the program.
I 20:08:30 Found 1 DVD±RW!
I 20:08:49 Operation Started!
I 20:08:49 Device: [0:1:0] HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B D108 (F:) (ATA)
I 20:08:49 Media Type: DVD+RW (Disc ID: MKM-A02-00) (Speeds: 4x)
I 20:08:49 Quick Erase: No
I 20:08:49 Erasing Disc...
I 20:33:09 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:24:19
I 20:33:10 Operation Started!
I 20:33:10 Source File: D:\eng\ID4.ISO
I 20:33:10 Source File Sectors: 2,285,848 (MODE1/2048)
I 20:33:10 Source File Size: 4,681,416,704 bytes
I 20:33:10 Source File Volume Identifier: ID4
I 20:33:10 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink
I 20:33:10 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)
I 20:33:10 Destination Device: [0:1:0] HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B D108 (F:) (ATA)
I 20:33:10 Destination Media Type: DVD+RW (Disc ID: MKM-A02-00) (Speeds: 4x)
I 20:33:10 Destination Media Sectors: 2,295,104
I 20:33:10 Write Mode: DVD
I 20:33:10 Write Type: DAO
I 20:33:10 Write Speed: MAX
I 20:33:10 Link Size: Auto
I 20:33:10 Test Mode: No
I 20:33:10 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 20:33:10 Filling Buffer... (20 MB)
I 20:33:11 Writing LeadIn...
I 20:33:12 Writing Image...
W 20:34:37 Failed to Write Sectors 73760 - 73791 - No Seek Complete
W 20:34:37 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 20:34:37 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 20:34:37 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
E 22:16:16 Failed to Write Sectors 73760 - 73791 - No Seek Complete
I 22:16:17 Synchronising Cache...
I 22:16:18 Closing Session...
E 22:16:55 Failed to Write Image!
E 22:16:55 Operation Failed! - Duration: 01:43:44
I 22:16:55 Average Write Rate: 23 KB/s (0.0x) - Maximum Write Rate: 2,212 KB/s (1.6x)
I 22:17:54 Close Request Acknowledged

[oldandinthe way]

Either your firmware does not support the media

or

your drive hates the media

or

Your drive is dying.

The log shows that about a minute and a half into the image your drive fails to find the sector it wishes to write and that condition is constant through 20 retries.

You are not the only person to have problems burning this media - see the media lists on this site. But most people have success.

Update your firmware before you do anything else about this problem.

Then erase and format the media you attempt to use so there are no lingering effects of the out of date firmware.

[VegasBud]

opus11,

Your error is being caused by either a media problem, or the drive itself.

If you're getting a similiar error with the +R as the +RW, and both media types used to work, it's most likely the drive is dying/dead.

You can try updating the drive's firmware to the most recent version, available here. That may help, but if you weren't having any problems with this same media before, it isn't very likely to fix this problem. Still, it doesn't cost anything to give it a try, and if you don't at least try it, it's time to take a look at replacing the drive.

[OneSickPup]

oldandinthe way and VegasBud have given excellent advice. The only thing I will add is that the firmware appears to identify the media properly (since it selects the proper 4x write speed). I think it would select a 2x or 1x speed for a default +RW strategy (not sure though). Updating the firmware would still be beneficial and would rule it out as a potential problem. However; I would not base decisions on a dead drive using phase change media (+RW or -RW) as my test media. Retest with one of your +R's and see what the log says - after updating that firmware. Good luck.

[[_chef_]]

This media is not supported by the drive, I believe.

Try to find a suitable firmware update.