[SimonTrucker]

I hope you can help with this.

I recently bought a DVD burner. A Pioneer DVD-RW, DVR-111D. (http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/45/73/442/DVR-111D/index.html)
I fitted it into my box and updated the firmware to the latest on the Pioneer site (1.29). using the cables that where already there from removing my CD burner.

Today I decided to burn a music CD, for my first ever burn.
Several years ago I bought a spindle pack of Memorex CD -Rs, 52x, 700MB, 80 minute ones, for the CD burner I had then but never used.

I put a blank cd into my new drive, started tagging tracks to burn (in MusicMatch Jukebox) and noticed that the burn window said there was no media present.
I got the same thing when checking the Nero Burning suite, so I checked in the hardware Device Manager. That also said No Disc present when I clicked on Populate in the properties > volumes tag for that drive.
I put a data dvd rom into the drive to check. That is recognised in device manager no problem and seems to work fine. All the menus come up when asked for at least. I didn't try installing any software off it, but think I've done it previously

Any ideas please.?
I don't have any other blank media as I thought Memorex was a good name and so 30 CDs should do me for some time :)

[Wolfeymole]

Hi Simon

I have seen some comment somewhere, the location eludes me for the moment, which said that old cd's/dvd's may have the top disks on the spindle affected and may not work when inserted.
Please allow me to research this and get back to you.

[SimonTrucker]

Originally Posted by Wolfeymole Hi Simon I have seen some comment somewhere, the location eludes me for the moment, which said that old cd's/dvd's may have the top disks on the spindle affected and may not work when inserted. Please allow me to research this and get back to you.

I've just been into town and nipped into Curries (or was it Comet ? ), asked about this problem and got this answer as a probability (I had also thought this might be the problem). So I bought a new 10 pack. On trying a new disc, it's exactly the same. :-(

[Wolfeymole]

I doubt a new pack of disks will be faulty Simon and although the bios may see the drive, the lens may be faulty.

[SimonTrucker]

Do they have different lenses for reading and writing ?

If so, that could be it. I bought the drive whilst I was in Luxembourg on my way to Switzerland at a good price. Not a fantastically good price, but a bit better than I'd seen in the UK. It wasn't in any protective packaging, so might have got a knock en-route despite my careful packing.

[Wolfeymole]

Arghh right.

This may be classed a a "Grey Import" and truly not suitable for the UK market.
Just a thought mate.

[SimonTrucker]

Oh , I hadn't considered that.

[Wolfeymole]

You obviously know what I mean Simon but for the benefit of those that don't;

Grey Imports

[SimonTrucker]

I now know why my new DVD drive can't see blank media.
I got it checked over by a mate in the trade.

It's goosed .

Next time I go past that shop it's going back and I'll want my money returned. Otherwise they'll get the drive returned through the window, attached to a large brick if required.
(Nothing to loose, its a plastic n metal brick anyway, if they won't give me my money back, the moneys gone too)

I've sent them 3 e-mails, all the same except one was translated into French by Googles page translator. I explained that I had a problem with the drive I bought from them, giving them all the relevant details, receipt number etc, and told them all the steps I'd taken in an effort to rectify the problem.
I asked about changing the drive for a new, checked one.
I still haven't had a reply, not even an acknowledgement, so I'm taking no crap. They had their chance.