[jessicalynn]

Hello, all -

This is my first post, and I joined this site specifically to ask for help with my problem.

I have a Dell Inspiron 5100, running Windows XP. I have had the computer for over four years, and until a couple of weeks ago, I never had any problems burning CDs. However, now, it just won't work. I have tried everything I can think of - I have tried burning using iTunes & several other music programs, I have tried burning them on my computer itself (as data & as music CDs), I have tried several different types of blank CDs. But each time, this is what happens - it tells me the disc I inserted isn't blank. "Please insert a blank disc," it says. So I try another disc. Same problem.

I have tried using the troubleshooter on my computer to see if there's anything wrong with the drive itself, or if I needed to update the drivers, but it can't find a problem.

What's wrong? What should I do?

Thanks much.

[Emrys88]

Are you able to a disc with something on it and see if it picks it up?

[jessicalynn]

Yes, it will read CDs with music already on them, and play or rip tracks to my hard drive - it just won't recognize blank CDs.

[Xeon]

Well I have had this sort of problem before but it did recognise blank CDs it just wouldnt burn them.

At first i thought it was a problem with the software that the burner actually uses to burn data to CDs but turns out it was a drive problem, aparently the laser burnt out inside or something like that, was a while ago now.

Anyway try reinstalling the software that your Drive uses to burn CDs, If you dont have the disk then try searching for the software on the internet that is allocated for the drive type you have.
If this dosent work it may just be a hardware problem and your drive is probebly dead, if this is the case just buy a new one they are reletively cheap.

Hope this helps!