Power calibration error with Nero

[lordhutt]

I have just started to get a 'Power calibration error' when trying to burn audio cd's with Nero.

I have a SATA Plextor drive and a Sony IDE drive and they are both doing it.
It does not even get started....there is nothing burned to the disc after it fails.
I did complete Windows XP reinstall and the problem is still there.
I hooked up and external USB Plextor cd burner and it worked.
I only have this problem with CD's....I burned a data DVD with no problems.

I dont really have any other burning software so I tried to burn an audio cd with WMP and it failed as well.

Anyone have any idea what can be causing this?

Thanks,
Andy

[InXess]

http://www.pioneeraus.com.au/computer/faqs/faq_22.html

A power calibration error is normally caused by problems with the media. Should you be experiencing problems with your drive or the media, we recommend that a disk from a good quality manufacturer be used to test it.

as per Pioneer...

Have you tried Google...?

[lordhutt]

Well, it is not top of the line media that I am trying (Memorex and Imation) but for example in the Sony drive I have burned probably over 1000 discs before with no problem....

Also, yes I have Googled the problem and found similar but nothing I tried from the reccomendations worked.

So, I decided to try here as I have always had good results with problems here....

[Snakebyte1]

Power calibration errors usually are media related and best way to check is to try different brands of media (do you have any older discs from a batch that had worked?), as noted above. Also, you can try burning at the slowest speed available and see if that works.

If you still get this error even after trying different brands and burn speeds, you can attempt to clean the lense. If after all this you still get the same error, then its likely a sign that your burner is getting ready to go on a permament vacation...

[kicko]

read my reply in this thread it has worked for me and i can't i had an issue since.
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=270698&highlight=

[wayne421]

For what it's worth, when I got this same error my Pioneer DVR-105 had crapped the bed. I got over 500 burns off of it, so no complaints, but it took me a while (and many coasters on different media types) to figure out it was actually the drive and not some other issue.

W

[InXess]

Best way to determine what's going on is to make a temp new installation of Windows, put a burning software only and do a test run. If OK revert back to your Windows and do a thorough cleanup/removal of such software.
Lens cleaning was an option when drives retailed for few hundred bucks. With 40 dollars drives this is a waste of time in most cases. It fails in I'd say 80% or more (also mine) and usually leads to drive replacement.
Power calib. error generally means drive inability to properly lock-in the media either due to bad disk or bad drive.
With 2 drives involved you have to seriously look at the software environment though.

[lordhutt]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The final verdict was much more simple though. I won't bore you with all of the gory details of how the conclusion was reached but I would just like to say thank you to my Sony DRU 500A for a few years of loyal service and for over what must be at least 3000 sucessful burns. Thanks and sorry but I will now have to toss your ass in the garbage and replace you with someone capable of burning 2 layers at a cost of less than 25% of what I paid for you.

As far as my SATA Plextor drive is concerned....well she is just to picky on the type of media she likes. You will most likely be able to visit her on E-Bay shortly as she will be replaced as well.

Thanks again all.
-Andy