I have been toying with all sorts of software to try and burn a file to disk, but have only just noticed (from Nero InfoTool) that I am only set up to play DVD/CD-R disks but not burn them.
:help:
Can anyone help me understand this and how I overcome it?

Thanx a bunch.

Not wishing to treat you like a fool 5star, but you do have a CD writer drive installed don't you.:confused:

neroinfotool should tell you what formats your drives can play and BURN

Not wishing to treat you like a fool 5star, but you do have a CD writer drive installed don't you.

Yes, I do have DVD/CR-RW capability on my PC :rolleyes:
But thanx for the insult :hihi:

neroinfotool should tell you what formats your drives can play and BURN

But it tells me I'm not able to write DVD-R only CD-R. Surely if my PC has DVD-R written on it, it should be able to burn to that disc :huh: :huh: :)

doesnt that mean it plays dvds but only writes Cds?

"DVD/CR-RW" = DVD Reader, CD Reader/Writer

a can of unleaded and a box of matches (or zippo to be more stylish).

Originally posted by GazB
"DVD/CR-RW" = DVD Reader, CD Reader/Writer

Yep, otherwise known as a combo drive.

Does Nero report the make and model so we can confirm?

it says something like slimcombo and some numbers. i cant check right now because i'm at work.
Is it possible to get my pc to durn to DVD?
I sent this question off to the manufacturer but am still waiting for reply.

Originally posted by 5star
it says something like slimcombo and some numbers. i cant check right now because i'm at work.
Is it possible to get my pc to durn to DVD?
I sent this question off to the manufacturer but am still waiting for reply.

if it's a combo drive then the only way you'll do that is by buying a new drive. they cost about £35.

if it's a combo drive then the only way you'll do that is by buying a new drive. they cost about £35.

I have a laptop, will this make a difference?
I know this may sound daft, but I don't know if a drive is software or hardware, and I want to know it's compatible with a laptop before i go buying it. ;)

a drive is the hardware.
yes having a laptop will make a difference. It will cost more.

If you want an internal drive (ie one that replaces the existing one) then it will cost considerably more and you'll have to find out if the manufacturer makes one.
If you're happy with an external one you can get one that plugs in through the usb ports and it will probably cost £75 (i've not looked, that's a guestimate).

Originally posted by 5star
but I don't know if a drive is software or hardware, and I want to know it's compatible with a laptop before i go buying it. ;)



Hardware = physical parts

Software = Programs & software installation CDs



You may be better getting an external CD/DVD burner. That way it can also be used on almost any other PC;).

if as said you dont mind external, then a 16x dvd writer at about £30 plus an external caddy at about £15 would be sufficient.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: thanx everyone:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'll go for the external one then, but where's the best place to go?
Plus, where is the best place to get blank discs and DVD cases?

www.ebuyer.co.uk for your gear, ignore their rep.
www.121cdr.co.uk for media. possibly the hardware too if they got an offer on :)

if as said you dont mind external, then a 16x dvd writer at about £30 plus an external caddy at about £15 would be sufficient.

I got myself a LiteOn 16X. It came with Nero and PowerDVD 5, but no software to make it work with my laptop.

Is this normal, or should my laptop pick-up the hardware straight away?

Or, is it that I have 2 E:drives now, and so I need to get rid of the internal one?

Originally posted by 5star
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: thanx everyone:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'll go for the external one then, but where's the best place to go?
Plus, where is the best place to get blank discs and DVD cases?

www.bigpockets.co.uk

Originally posted by 5star
I got myself a LiteOn 16X. It came with Nero and PowerDVD 5, but no software to make it work with my laptop.

Is this normal, or should my laptop pick-up the hardware straight away?

Or, is it that I have 2 E:drives now, and so I need to get rid of the internal one?

if its running windaz xp it "should" install the drivers etc instantly

if its running windaz xp it "should" install the drivers etc instantly

that's what I thought. Any idea what could be wrong?

does your new one plug into a usb port?

you can try disabling the old internal one in start/control panel/remove hardware.

if I do that...would I be able to retrieve it in the future?

Yes, straight into the USB port.

should....................being the operative word :P


do you have a driver cd for that internal drive? just in case :P

I don't remember. But I suppose I could always restore with the re-boot disk.
I know I'll lose everything, but it's not the first time I've done it. I've seen more virus' than doctor. :hihi: