PX-708a DVD burning problem

[Biffarama]

I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's wrong with my Plextor PX-708a burner. It will not burn any DVDs, doesn't matter the brand, I've tried many different and compatible ones, including a Plextor disc. I am able to burns CD-Rs and CD-RWs with no trouble as well as rip songs from CDs. But whenever I try to burn a DVD the light on the front of the drive turns to an amber color and blinks twice, pauses, blinks twice again, pauses, etc.

I have emailed Plextor about this but have been ignored by their support department. I've had the drive for 2 1/2 years so I'm wondering if it's just time for a new one, although I'd really rather not. I use Nero Ultra 7 for my disc burning and authoring and my PC is a P4 2.53Ghz with XP Home SP2 and 1.5 GB RAM.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Biff

[budz]

do the self diagnostic test on the drive the instructions are in the manual or look for it on plextor's website. i have a 708A drive as well but i only use it for reading dvd discs that are scratched but it still can burn dvd discs. sorry you don't want to hear it this but it's apparent that your laser on the drive for dvds is dead. time to look for another dvd burner.

just don't get another plextor since their quality has gone a bit downhill. the day after thanksgiving best buy will have the retail version of the pioneer 111d which is the 710 drive on sale for $29.99 only on friday and saturday.

[Biffarama]

Thanks budz. This Pioneer drive is a good one?

[budz]

Thanks budz. This Pioneer drive is a good one?

The Pioneer drive is fine. I would have recommended the Benq 1650/1655 (lightscribe) but it's hard to find unless you're willing to buy a rebadged one from Compusa. If you want a rebadged Benq 1650/1655 drive it is sold under the brands Norwood Micro, Connect Computers and Compusa. On the Norwood Micro brand it will say DW1650 on the box. The Connect Computers brand is a lightscribe drive and the Compusa lightscribe drive is also a rebadged 1655. I opened up those boxes to find out for sure if they were rebadged 1655 drives. Cross your fingers Compusa may have one of those brands on sale the day after thanksgiving. Last year they had the rebadged Benq 1640 drives on sale $29.99 after rebates. The Pioneer drive as I mentioned is fine to purchase as well and I have 2 of them!

[Biffarama]

I'll definitely check those out. Thanks!