DVD-R Compatibility with Other Systems

[Old Dog 0]

Hey everybody, my first time here.

 

Got a DVD-R/W drive for Christmas. Works great. The problem is that none of what I put on these DVD-R disks can be read from any other computer in my house except the one where the drive is installed. On my computer, everything's working great. I've got two other systems in the house - both about 3-4 years old. The other two systems don't even recognize that there is even a disk in the drive! I've tried formatting the DVD-RW disk but that didn't help. I'm using the Roxio Media manager primarily but have seen the same signiture with other programs. However, when I copy data to a CD-R/W, all computers can use that without any problems - its just the DVD+R and DVD+RW disks that can't be read. I'm using a 4X recorder if that's any help - which I think the other systems can read OK. I'm not even certain if this is a hardware or software issue. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[jmmijo 1]

Well two things that maybe causing this issue:

 

1) You're creating a data disc and leaving the session opened. This will mean that further writing to this particular disc is still possible with the drive you created it on. Double check that this option/check box is disabled so that the disc get's properly closed and then should be able to be read on any other system that has at least a DVD reader in it

 

2) There maybe an issue with Roxio Media Manager. I personally don't use nor like this app. I prefer to use Nero 6.xx but again, if this app is working properly then possibility one is the only reason I can think of for this problem.

[Old Dog 0]

Problem solved! I took a good hard look at how the Roxio software was closing the DVD and concluded that it *was* working correctly. I took one data DVD that I created myself down to the local Office Depot and put it into two of their demo machines in the store and they both read the data perfectly. That left the only thing that might be wrong would be the suspect DVD drive itself in the Dell PC. I hate to admit it, but it was the Office Depot salesman who suggested I try a different or updated driver for the drive.

 

The Dell website was very helpful and I found that it was not a driver update that I needed but rather a firmware update - which they provided. The firmware was updated successfully (this was my first attempt at doing an update like this) and the drive can now read everything from my new DVD-RW drive! Lesson learned for me is to check those drivers (and now firmware versions) when introducing new technology. Even though the suspect DVD drives were relatively new (~3 years) updates can come fast and furious.

 

Thanks for the help - and I will investigate using Nero instead of Media Manager.