What makes a NEC3500 dvd burner stops reading burned cd's

[joy]

Maybe 2 or 3 months ago this burner just stopped reading burned cd's. It can read pressed cd's, burned dvds and pressed dvd's. Anybody has any ideas or maybe a fix? This is by the way a 4 years old burner.

[Dv8ted2]

You might need a firmware update. It could also be bad file structure on the burned dvd's.

[joy]

You might need a firmware update. It could also be bad file structure on the burned dvd's.

please read my post again. I mentioned no problem with pressed cd's, pressed dvd's and "burned dvd's". Firmware has been updated sometime in 05. Could no longer find firmware updates from that site.

[budz]

What brand of cd's are those burned cd's? What software did you use to burn those cd discs? It maybe time for a new dvd burner which is cheap these days.

This thread should go into the DVD REWRITER section.

[joy]

What brand of cd's are those burned cd's? What software did you use to burn those cd discs? It maybe time for a new dvd burner which is cheap these days.

This thread should go into the DVD REWRITER section.

I have burned to many brands like sony, imation, fujifilm, memorex, tdk, etc. Those "burned cd's" can be read by my other pc. And sorry if this post is out of place.

[Number Six]

Since the burner is 4 years old, it is very possible that there is a film on the laser lens that is preventing it from getting a good read of the CDRs. What color is the dye on those CDRs? I recommend cleaning the lens very gently with a soft tipped swab moistened with alcohol, but you will have to remove the top cover of the unit to get access.

I had a laptop CD-RW drive burn and verify discs successfully, and then immediately tell me that the discs were blank afterwards ! I cleaned the lens - problem solved . OH, and it did read pressed CDs without any problem before I cleaned the lens. Also, the discs that it burned and verified were perfectly fine and readable after cleaning the lens.

[joy]

Since the burner is 4 years old, it is very possible that there is a film on the laser lens that is preventing it from getting a good read of the CDRs. What color is the dye on those CDRs? I recommend cleaning the lens very gently with a soft tipped swab moistened with alcohol, but you will have to remove the top cover of the unit to get access.

I had a laptop CD-RW drive burn and verify discs successfully, and then immediately tell me that the discs were blank afterwards ! I cleaned the lens - problem solved . OH, and it did read pressed CDs without any problem before I cleaned the lens. Also, the discs that it burned and verified were perfectly fine and readable after cleaning the lens.

I just wonder if it's easy to remove the "cover" of the unit. Is there something that I have to watch out for when doing this like springs or other objects popping out from inside the cover?

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll let you guys know if I succeed.

[budz]

What brand of cd's are those burned cd's? What software did you use to burn those cd discs? It maybe time for a new dvd burner which is cheap these days.

This thread should go into the DVD REWRITER section.

I have burned to many brands like sony, imation, fujifilm, memorex, tdk, etc. Those "burned cd's" can be read by my other pc. And sorry if this post is out of place.

If those discs can be read on your other pc then it sounds like you need a new dvd burner. They're cheap these days at under $30.00 and at times you can free shipping from Newegg.

Pioneer has a silver 115D drive for $34.99 and 1 cent shipping. You can always spray paint the drive black. The 115D drive is a good dvd burner. I've bought a few of them from Pioneer.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/Blu-...5D+Silver.Kuro

Newegg has the following dvd burners with free shipping:

LG GH22LP20, $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136147

LG GH22LS30, $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

Samsung SH-S202N, $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151155

Samsung GH22NP20, $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dvd burners with NO FREE SHIPPING:

Liteon DH-20A4P-04, $21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228

Pioneer 116D, $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023

The Pioneer 115D drive is the best out of those I posted. Just my 2 cents!

[Number Six]

I just wonder if it's easy to remove the "cover" of the unit. Is there something that I have to watch out for when doing this like springs or other objects popping out from inside the cover?

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll let you guys know if I succeed.

It isn't too hard to open the unit and get to the lens - there are no springs that will jump out. If you need extra help, please post again and I will give you step by step instructions. In my opinion, I feel that it is worth the effort to try and salvage this unit - I have 2 other NEC Burners, and they have been very reliable for me.