Software fails to recognize DVD-RW discs

[Mummyscurse]

This is a new problem to me. My Sony DVD-RW drive suddenly stopped recognizing my unbranded, DVD+RW discs. It was as if there was NO DISC in the drive at all. The DVD+R discs continued to burn just fine. Failing to resolve the problem, I assumed that the drive was just "broken". I ordered a Lite-On iHAS120 drive, and hooked it up a couple hours ago. It appears to have installed by Windows, upon reboot, and both my Nero and Alcohol programs properly recognize the drive and model. In this latest instance, however NO DISCS are being recognized, by either program. Again, it's as if there was no blank in the drive. While I can't cite the manufacturer of the DVD-RW discs, the DVD-R discs are Fuji DVD-R 16x blanks (these were still working in the Sony drive, but not the Lite-On). I've also tried Matrix DVD+R DL 2.4x blanks, without success, in the new Lite-On drive. These, too, worked in the old Sony drive.

So, basically, DVD+RW DISCS stopped working in the Sony, ALL DISCS refuse to work in the Lite-On (it appears that this drive does not require drivers, per se...only the firmware, which is current, is downloadable from Lite-On). Any ideas, or suggestions, on what might have gone wrong, all of a sudden? My DVD-RW record capability was fine one day, and buggered the next. It's even worse with a new drive! Sheesh....!!!

[DereX888]

This is a new problem to me. My Sony DVD-RW drive suddenly stopped recognizing my unbranded, DVD+RW discs. It was as if there was NO DISC in the drive at all. The DVD+R discs continued to burn just fine. Failing to resolve the problem, I assumed that the drive was just "broken". I ordered a Lite-On iHAS120 drive, and hooked it up a couple hours ago. It appears to have installed by Windows, upon reboot, and both my Nero and Alcohol programs properly recognize the drive and model. In this latest instance, however NO DISCS are being recognized, by either program. Again, it's as if there was no blank in the drive. While I can't cite the manufacturer of the DVD-RW discs, the DVD-R discs are Fuji DVD-R 16x blanks (these were still working in the Sony drive, but not the Lite-On). I've also tried Matrix DVD+R DL 2.4x blanks, without success, in the new Lite-On drive. These, too, worked in the old Sony drive.

So, basically, DVD+RW DISCS stopped working in the Sony, ALL DISCS refuse to work in the Lite-On (it appears that this drive does not require drivers, per se...only the firmware, which is current, is downloadable from Lite-On). Any ideas, or suggestions, on what might have gone wrong, all of a sudden? My DVD-RW record capability was fine one day, and buggered the next. It's even worse with a new drive! Sheesh....!!!

Well, I have had very similar problem with my first DVD+RW discs years ago (my post must still be somewhere here).
Same as you did, I have assumed back then that it must have been drive's laser that is dying, but after changing drives from multiformat LG to S*ny +R/RW exclusive the problem remained the same.
I suggested then there must be a flaw with the Windows support (drivers) or with the way these drives support + discs rather than with the discs themselves (since they still could be used in a standalone dvd recorder), but I was quickly told that it is impossible, or that I should have 'upgraded' to XP (I'm still using Windows 2000) or that I'm just biased (due to my evident lack of love to +R/+RW formats since begining).
Later, on at least 2 diffrent occasions, I have observed very same behaviour on my office's XP machines too, so its not that there was any problem with my Win2000...

I have solved this problem years ago in a very simple manner:
I don't use any +R or +RW discs since
(BTW: one of my -RW discs passed 2000 rewrites not long ago)

/edit:
But please anyone reading it - do not think DVD-RW discs are oh-so-troublefree, no no
Occasionally they become "unerasable" when used in a standalone dvd-recorder, and it happened couple times on a computer burner too. The only way to recover from it is to use some good software to completely erase them (I used to use DVDinfoPro for that, it never failed me) but I don't do that anymore - it takes 40min to do so, and since rewritable discs are so cheap I just treat such "self-locked" rewritable disc as if it were write-once disc.
The only truly trouble-free rewritable discs I have ever had are DVD-RAM discs.
Some of mine are already 10 years old, and they still work perfectly on a standalone recorder and computer burners, still without *ANY* problems yet

[lordsmurf]

Sounds like the discs are cheap junk. Media ID?

[DereX888]

Sounds like the discs are cheap junk. Media ID?

If his drive can't see them he won't be able to get media ID...

[Mummyscurse]

Thank you all, for your input. I will confess to using cheap media, partly from a lean buying budget, but also because I'm a natural cheapskate, always looking for a great "deal" (and, often getting hosed by buying too cheap). The three different manufacturers of the three types of media I use... DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD+R DL... shouldn't ALL be reacting the same way, in this rather bizarre, newly developed problem. The well reasoned explanation that DereX888 put forth, makes a good deal of sense, and will be something I'll investigate.

It's getting late, here in SE Florida (76 degrees and a nice cool breeze for my morning walk, and a slightly overcast, but still bright, breezy, 83 degree day... eat your heart out, if you've already seen your first snowflakes of the season <G>). So, I need to call it a day.

Oh, DereX888 is right on the last count, too... I'm getting nothing but "no disc" messages, at all, showing that a disc is even in the drive. To the PC, to the drivers (what drivers?), to WindowsXP... to some darn thing preventing the burning, the discs aren't even in the drive. And, it all stops before it gets started, "no disc" in the drive.

I also am kinda thinking that I'd rather spend "X" amount of dollars on new DVD-R discs... or RAM discs? (I think these drives burn RAM discs, but I will have to check that, too, before buying new discs.). It might just be less of a headache, if that is a viable solution, than going nuts, trying to diagnose, and solve, the problem.

Good advice, I think, and a point of departure and online research for the morning. Thank you, again... I'll report progress, if any... including the purchase of a 5-pack of DVD-R blanks, to see if THEY'RE RECOGNIZED!

[DereX888]

Thank you all, for your input. I will confess to using cheap media, partly from a lean buying budget, but also because I'm a natural cheapskate, always looking for a great "deal" (and, often getting hosed by buying too cheap). The three different manufacturers of the three types of media I use... DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD+R DL... shouldn't ALL be reacting the same way, in this rather bizarre, newly developed problem. The well reasoned explanation that DereX888 put forth, makes a good deal of sense, and will be something I'll investigate.

It's getting late, here in SE Florida (76 degrees and a nice cool breeze for my morning walk, and a slightly overcast, but still bright, breezy, 83 degree day... eat your heart out, if you've already seen your first snowflakes of the season <G>). So, I need to call it a day.

Oh, DereX888 is right on the last count, too... I'm getting nothing but "no disc" messages, at all, showing that a disc is even in the drive. To the PC, to the drivers (what drivers?), to WindowsXP... to some darn thing preventing the burning, the discs aren't even in the drive. And, it all stops before it gets started, "no disc" in the drive.

I also am kinda thinking that I'd rather spend "X" amount of dollars on new DVD-R discs... or RAM discs? (I think these drives burn RAM discs, but I will have to check that, too, before buying new discs.). It might just be less of a headache, if that is a viable solution, than going nuts, trying to diagnose, and solve, the problem.

Good advice, I think, and a point of departure and online research for the morning. Thank you, again... I'll report progress, if any... including the purchase of a 5-pack of DVD-R blanks, to see if THEY'RE RECOGNIZED!

Good luck on your reasearch at the morning
You'll find that only few standalone dvd recorders and a handful of computer drives support excellent DVD-RAM format (which is a shame, really), and that the DVD-RAM blanks are still expensive when compared to -/+RWs.

I can tell you how to "unlock" your DVD+RW discs/drives: try reinstall Windows
Yes I know it is ridiculus advice, so not that I recommend it, but that's what I did it once in the office and - lo and behold! - after Win reinstall the very same discs were "seen" and writable again...

[Mummyscurse]

I had a feeling, myself, that a reinstall of WindowsXP might fix things up, but I'm not quite at a place yet, where I want to go to all that trouble... and maybe screw something else up that is working right now.

I purchased a 15 pack of DVD-RW discs, and those are still not recognized by the new, Lite-On drive.

I hooked up the old Sony drive, that was still recognizing DVD+R blanks, and it now recognizes the new DVD-RW discs! So, I'm back in business with that drive, in a roundabout kind of way. I can use the Lite-On drive in an HTPC computer that I'll be putting together from an old mobo/processor, and a couple Christmas gifts I've requested... an HTPC case w power supply, and some RAM. So, that drive won't go to waste. And, the new HTPC unit will run off a clean install of WindowsXP, so I expect none of these current problems with the Lite-On in a new box, with a fresh OS installation.

[Noahtuck]

Thank you all, for your input. I will confess to using cheap media, partly from a lean buying budget, but also because I'm a natural cheapskate, always looking for a great "deal" (and, often getting hosed by buying too cheap).

When you can buy Verbatim media @ $20.00 for a 100 pack.... you should not even be bothering with any other media regardless of the price!!!

[Mummyscurse]

Noahtuck... Would you mind sharing the source of those Verbatim discs for $20? My usual sources, Shop4Tech and SuperMediaStore don't have prices in that range (unless there are "sales" that I've missed).

I was wondering if a system "repair" kind of program, such as TuneUp Utilities, might be able to diagnose, and then "fix" this elusive problem. At worst, if it wasn't up to the job, the DVD-R or DVD-RW solution would keep me going with this Sony drive. But, what if repairing WindowsXP had some effect on it?

To cut to the chase, TuneUp Utilities spotted a number of "errors", which I allowed it to repair. Upon inserting the DVD+RW discs that were "invisible" to the software... viola, there they were again! I'm back to burning with those discs!

I guess the motto is, never underestimate the power of good software (prudently applied with a "restore" backup created first!).

Thank you, group, for all the sound advice and willingness to lend a hand...