Windows XP doesn't recogize blank CD"s

[bobwhite1]

I just completed a new install of Windows XP Home edition with service pack 2 in a Dell Computer. Everything went smoothly until I inserted a blank CD-R. The CD-Rom would not recognize any blank CD's nor will it recogize any CD's that were created on my other computer using Windows Vista. It does recognize all my program CD's and I can install them without any problem. I formatted a new CD using my vista program and it was recognized by the computer using XP home. The CD rom does recogize CD's created on a older computer when it had this XP Home edition installed in it. I hope someone can make somthing from all of this, TIA

Bob

[unclebud]

Sounds like the laser is dirty as it can't see burnt CD's but see's pressed CD's. Try blowing into the drive or use a cleaning CD if you have one.

[bobwhite1]

Thanks for the fast reply uncle bud, actually it is recognizing burnt CD's, just not the one's I've burnt recently using my computer with Vista. Also it won't recognize new blank CD's. I get the message to insert a disk into drive D, which is the drive for my CD rom. Any other ideas it has me in a quandry.

Bob

[Krispy Kritter]

My first thought would be the drive is failing, especially when all of the media and discs are usable on another PC. CD's are old technology and there shouldn't be any incompatibility issues or need for firmware updates to recognize media (unlike DVD).

[bobwhite1]

You might be right Krispy, I just formated a cd on vista and then copied files from the Vista computer now they are recognized in the computer with XP and do great. I have a cdRom from another computer that was frizzled by lightning Its still good. That was a Toshiba and this is a Dell, do you think if I install it and reboot the dell will recognize it? Of course the simple thing is for me to just format blank cd's before I use them. But that won's solve the challenge. Saturday I will have the computer connected by cable to the internet and if dell or windows has an update I'll down load it. Anything else you might add would be appreciated.

Bob

[Krispy Kritter]

You should have no problems swapping hardware. I don't know how or why you are "formatting" CD's. The only discs you would want or need to format would be CD-RW discs. Disc recognition is hardware related, new drivers won't make any difference. The typical things to try for issues like this, would be to clean the laser, try upgrading/flashing the firmware if a new version is available, or simply replace it. With DVD burner prices at about $25 shipped, there is no real reason to spend a lot of time and effort troubleshooting old hardware.

[minidv2dvd]

XP home may not recognize packet written disks by itself. the kind you format a cd-rw and then drag and drop files to. you may have better luck if you install the software you used to have on the computer to write that format with. might have been nero or roxio.