My friend purchased a HP Dvd Rw/Cd Rw burner. I helped her to install it in her HP PC. Once we turned the PC back on we noticed the Dvd writer was recognized in the Device Manager stating it was working properly. Note that I never installed any drivers nor got a pop up wizard saying it "found new hardware". So I assumed it was working properly with plug n play.

Here's the problem:

It will play Dvd movies (after I installed an Encoder) and it will play Cd's, but it will not burn data to a Dvd. I checked my media and since the Dvd writer is a 20x (+)(-) I assume the 16x (+) media we're using is fine. To make sure, I tried other media too, but it still gives an error saying insert proper media into drive (this is using the Nero trial).

For some reason the Dvd media is not being recognized by it.

Could someone please tell me what I did wrong with this installation? I'm new to this and I really should know this, but it has me stomped. I really want to try to figure this out before I email one of my Hardware professor's for assistance.

Please advise me what to do, anyone!

BTW, the drive she had in before was only a Cd/Cd Rw. She decided to upgrade to a Dvd/Dvd Rw/Cd/Cd Rr, don't know if this makes a difference with the Bios, etc. This is an older HP PC from 2001 (don't know the exact model#, but it's old :o))

Thanks for any help in responses :o

I have the full version of Nero, which has a tool called: Nero InfoTool. It reads the capabilities of the optical drive(s) and reports the read/write features available.

Nero trial may offer the same tool. Run it and see what it reports, then post back.

There may also be similar tools on the 'net, if Nero trial doesn't have it.

See below for an example.

Also double check that your not trying to burn more than the dvd can fit (~4.5GB)... :)

Did the DVD-RW come with driver installation disc? If it did then you should install the recommend drivers and software!

Reply to HVAC 8888 comment:

Forgive me if I posted incorrectly, I'm still trying to figure out this site.

I will check with my friend to see if it has one of those tools and we will go over the settings as your display indicates.

I didn't think to check her settings for that, but it makes logical sense. Give me a few days to respond, as I'm on HER time, when she finds times :o)) Wish she would bring the PC back to me and let me troubleshoot it more, hard to do over the phone when I'm trying to figure it out for myself :o))

Thanks!