A very weird problem with a DVD Drive

[jrak]

I have a Plextor PX-708A DVD Drive in a computer that uses Windows XP Home and has 1 gig of ram. It ran without a problem for more than a year until today. After writing a DVD data disk using Nero, the disk ejected and the computer re-booted. Plextor technical support had me swap cables, run a diagnostic test with the IDE cable detached (it passed the diagnostic test), use msconfig to disable all programs in the start menu, and remove and reinstall the device. Nothing worked. Here's the mysterious part: if I use a DVD (video or data) from a manufacturer, it runs without a problem. If I use a CD or DVD that I previously created (video or DVD data), the system crashes and reboots. It does not matter what brand of CD or DVD. Anything that I have created previously crashes the computer. The Plextor people are stumped. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[budz]

What is the dvd media ID of those discs that you're using?

[jrak]

I've been using several different types of media, mostly Sony and TDK, and none have presented a problem before. One of the TDK Disks (DVD-R 8X) has 0705 imprinted along the inner ring. There are other numbers, but I can't make them out. The computer crashes whenever I insert a disk (CD or DVD) that I created. It does not happen with CD's or DVD's that were professionally manufactured.

[budz]

Download DVDINFO PRO or DVD IDENTIFIER to find out the MEDIA ID. Brand names mean nothing. You'll need to use those programs to find out the MEDIA ID (the manufacturer) of the discs. MEMOREX & some of the TDK media uses CMC which is crappy media. I'd suggest you buy a spindle of VERBATIM DVD+R or TAIYO YUDEN media and burn a data disc. With PLEXTOR burners you need to use the RECOMMENDED MEDIA that they support.

[jrak]

I'll download the ID identifier, but I'll need to install it on another computer. Any disk that I insert into my DVD drive crashes the system and causes it to reboot.

When I first got the Plextor, I had a problem with Memorex disks and their tech support people told me to stay away from them. I've used a variety of disks since then and have not had a problem until now. I don't mind buying the Verbatim disks, but I have a large collection of back-up data and video files on DVD's and CDs that I need to use regularly. If this problem is not software related, it looks like I'll need to buy a new DVD drive that can read those disks. Aside from the media, are there any our potential reasons for this problem?

[budz]

It's obvious your problem is the media you've used. Unfortunately you burned backup data & video files on cheap media then the drive is not able to read them after a period of time. This is what happens when you don't use good dvd media. Cheap shitty dvd media the dye will deteriorate over a period of time. Nothing wrong with your drive as I can see. Plextor drives prefer good quality dvd media. I've already mentioned the brands to use.

[jrak]

I'm not completely convinced that it's a media problem. I've used a variety of different disks over the past year - both DVD and CD - and the computer crashes no matter what product I insert into the DVD drive. When I used the Plextor diagnostic test (with the IDE cable detached) the drive wrote and read a blank DVD. The same DVD crashed the system when I tried to use it.

Your advice on media is well-taken and I will follow it in the future.

[jrak]

This is an update on the problem described earlier. I bought and installed a new DVD drive. The same problem occurred with it. It can read a disk from a manufacturer, but when I put a disk that I have created, the system crashes and reboots.

I'm going to uninstall my CD writing software next and see what happens.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[jrak]

I uninstalled Roxio, rebooted and the problem was solved. Not sure why, but I have read in other forums that Nero and Roxio don't always work together. Sure wish that I had done that in the first place!

[Bjs]

This gose for ...

I have XXXXXXXXXXXXXX pc , whether it be a brand or not ... which almost every user here keep's doing .

You can stuff about with all the idiot test's and other junk you like ... this is being polite , and yes nero and roxio had this issue .

But when it come's down to such problem's and has the "so called" all knowing tech department's scratching their head's ... you must also consider the main culprit being one of two thing's when all else fail's ...

The drive itself is crap from day dot ... how many time's have I seen people saying "I replaced my drive with X , and have no more issue" ... hello ... earth calling planet mar's ... anyone home ?

Considering the system relies upon : the Power supply unit , may be the true issue .

[budz]

I uninstalled Roxio, rebooted and the problem was solved. Not sure why, but I have read in other forums that Nero and Roxio don't always work together. Sure wish that I had done that in the first place!

Glad you solved the problem. If you had posted you had NERO BURN & ROXIO installed on your computer then I would have told you the first time to uninstall ROXIO. This is a known problem and I don't understand why the hell Plextor USA bundles ROXIO with their drives. Go figure huh!

[jrak]

I had not used Roxio since I installed it with the drive and had forgotten about it. Nero is much better. Another lesson learned: if you're not using software, get rid of it!