Strange -- DVD drive problem.

It's weird -- running Vista Ultimate. When I put in a DVD on my computer, it detects it, and let's say I'm making a copy or something...after it copies the information to the computer, and I go to put a blank DVD in to burn the data to it, it loses contact with the DVD player/burner. I have to restart the laptop in order for it to have access to the drive again. It's always telling me something is accessing the drive -- which is the reason why it won't detect anything afterwards. And I do close out of all of the software to make sure it's not that. Is there any fix for this?

For instance...just copied data to the computer...ejected it...inserted a blank DVD...now look

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I can only fix that with a reboot. (

Thanks,
Craig

What program are you trying to use to copy the information?

AnyDVD + CloneDVD2

But it happens with other software too like Nero. (I think)

Why don't you copy the disks as image files on your computer, then burn the image to blank disks with Nero (or whatever you prefer, as long as it burns image files)?

It sounds like you are trying to copy and burn with one step, which should work, but for some reason isn't. Try burning to your HD first, then burn the image ... plus, if it doesn't recognize the drive after the initial copying to the HD, it will still be there when you restart.

Worth a shot.

[quote3df272a647="moviemadnessman"]Why don't you copy the disks as image files on your computer, then burn the image to blank disks with Nero (or whatever you prefer, as long as it burns image files)?

It sounds like you are trying to copy and burn with one step, which should work, but for some reason isn't. Try burning to your HD first, then burn the image ... plus, if it doesn't recognize the drive after the initial copying to the HD, it will still be there when you restart.

Worth a shot.[/quote3df272a647]
No, I tried that too. After the files from the DVD were copied to the hard drive, I ejected the DVD. Then I put in a new one and it still bugged out.

So even after restarting (which sounded like it fixes the problem), you still can't burn the image from your computer to a blank DVD?

Sounds like there is a problem with your drive (assuming the same thing happens regardless of the software).

[quote553845f55c="moviemadnessman"]So even after restarting (which sounded like it fixes the problem), you still can't burn the image from your computer to a blank DVD?

Sounds like there is a problem with your drive (assuming the same thing happens regardless of the software).[/quote553845f55c]
No, after restarting, it works. It only occurs if I don't restart after I use it once.

I thought you said earlier that it wasn't working? So then, the copy/restart/burn method is working?

If so, then great ) But even if that does work, it sounds like you might have a lose connection somewhere, or possibly some driver issues.

The problem is that I don't want to restart. Why should I have to retsart? That wastes about 1.5 minutes of my life, lol.

Does it ever give you an error or anything at all, or does the drive just 'vanish'?

It "appears" as an existing drive, but I get those "in use" errors as shown above in my first post.

Maybe the burning/copying process is hanging on to the drive even when it should be finished. Open your process list and start to burn/copy something, and see what process(es) are using the majority of the system resources (as well as which ones appear).

Then, after the burn/copy is finished, exit the programs like you normally would and see if those processes end/return to normal.

I killed all the programs using the drive to make sure it wasn't them.

What about ending explorer.exe? (does Vista still use that)

I know it will probably tell you the options like you would see when you go to shutdown, but you should be able to end it, then restart the process again. Worth a shot.

Beyond that ... I have nothing else to offer at this time. But at least I was able to help you get it so you can burn things (albeit the computer requires a restart every time).

(not sounding rude)

I hate to burst your bubble, I was always able to burn things...just not right after copying data to the computer (I had to reboot). But thanks for your help. And to answer your question, yeah, Windows still uses explorer.exe as one of its main necessities for survival. P

Yeah, all I really wanted to do was to be able to burn right after copying data to my computer...I have no idea why it loses contact with the drive. Strange. Oh well, maybe dmorris68 can solve this one. Thanks for your help! D

Meh ... well, then I'm glad I was able to talk to you, then ... since I don't think I did anything else ;)

And yeah ... hopefully you can figure out the problem/get it fixed.

Bump...dmorris? D

Bumpy.

The problem is still occurring...

Buy a Mac.

Problem solved.

[quotef36cc80a18="tylerc"]Buy a Mac.

Problem solved.[/quotef36cc80a18]Buying a Mac won't always solve problems ... http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=66782

And TFOAF, I think you should just PM dmorris to bring his attention to your thread )

i dunno an answer, but i have a similar problem now with one of my drives. it simply won't detect anythign anymore. i put in a disc and the mouse cursor shows a disc showing it's reading it, but then it just says the drive is empty...

Okay, I figured something out. Instead of rebooting, if I disable the device and then re-enable it in the device manager, it works fine. Is there a way I can make some sort of batch file to perform the following action

Disable the DVD-ROM drive, and then re-enable the DVD-ROM drive. (D\)

?

Thanks,
Craig

^

^

Maybe your drive is screwed. Try restarting it.

Turn your computer off for about 10 minutes, unplug the IDE or whatever cable comes from the disk drive (If more then one cable, unplug all), and wait another 10 minutes. Plug it all in, and start up. If the problem persists, it's a software malfunction.

LOLz. It's a laptop.

Crap. I'm not much of a laptop guy.

but doesn't the drive slide out? I'm pretty sure it does. The CD/DVD drive should slide out from it's casing.

But the...the...the drive works...

Try a different burning software

It's not the burning software either. (