Why won't my CD-RW Drive work?

My CD writer will not accept CD's, either CD-RW's or CD-R's, Adaptecs direct CD will not format a CD (ejects it immediately). create a drive like CD or create a music CD. The CD is ejected in the testing phase with the error message "disk is write protected", even so they are brand new CD-RW' and CD-R's. This drive will however read recorded CD's.

Any ideas?

A frusteted computer nerd says thanks for any help.

Horst A. Dewitz

This question was answered on January 9, 2003. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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First, make certain you only have the software installed that came with the drive CD recording software tends to fight with members of its peer group Unfortunately, this can even include some of the dubious utilities online, such as Kazaa, which is controversial as Spyware, among other things.

As good PC operating practice, download a copy of AdAware from Lavasoft.com or from Tucows.com Run it to see if there are any Spyware programs running on your PC Remove the suggested programs, as many of these utilities can cause problems, aside from potentially watching and reporting every move you make on the Internet.

If everything seems cool, software-wise, and the drive has been around more than a year or two, it's really not worth messing with older (or even not-so-older) CD-RW drives They can be replaced for fifty dollars or less, and go bad more often than almost any other PC component, save maybe for floppy disks

Suggestion is not to buy a drive that doesn't come with software Newer drives, especially, will work with most CD-R software, but it's good to have a program that will work with a degree of confidence in case of future problems.

Unfortunately, Adaptec's Direct CD is another program which has cost me hours of fruitless troubleshooting time Avoid it, unless it came with your drive.

Good luck.

RG

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Posted by Robert of Mesa Community College on January 9, 2003

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