DVD-RW problems

While technically it's not gaming related, it is PC, so here it is:

For some reason, my parents Pc recognizes the DVD-Rw as a DVD-Rw up until a DVD-R is put in. Then it proceeds to think it's a CD-RW with a CD-R in it. I have no idea why it does this, but it will not let me burn DVD's at all. I tried burning from an image, and it gave me a coaster. Can anyone help me? it's a Sony DW-U18A drive, if that helps.

what OS are you running?

Windows XP

ok, well first the obvious stuff...

make sure you have the newest service packs, drivers, etc. and make sure you are using compatible media. if you went the cheap route and got the no name dvds, you may have a problem. if you got a brand you've heard of before, then you should be fine.

win xp labels the media as it sees it. so if you put a cd in the drive, its going to think its a cd-drive, and if you put a dvd in its going to say dvd. thats just the way the OS reads it. i have a tdk burner and it works the same way.

also, what program are you using to burn? i would suggest trying Nero, as its really solid. you can get a demo/tria. for free at nero.com

there are a lot of things that would make it a coaster, but it really depends on what you are trying to burn and where you are trying to play it. is it just a data dvd? is it a movie? try and burn a cd and see if that works, if so, its probably the software.

What burning software are you using and what brand of media ?

OK, to answer everything

1. It's all up to date
2. It's HP disks, pretty trustworthy, nyeh?
3. I've used NTI, says its a DVD-R, but will aonly let me urn as a CD-r, and Windows itself says it's a CD drive whenever I put any disk in, DVD or otherwise.

It seems more like a Windows problem to me.

yeah, the HP media should be fine.

its strange because I had a similar problem when I tried to burn a DVD under windows 98. for some reason the OS just would not recognize a dvd no matter what. I upgraded to XP and i havent had a problem since.

Thats the same thing that happened to me! My Lite On Wouldn't recognize HP media. Maybee they had a bad batch?

It's still not working, and it's pissing me off.

Try updating your drive's firmware.
www.cdfreaks.com

Somebody help Sneaky out.

yup look for a firmware update for your dvd drive.


also buy dvd rw's cheap and reuse em forever and no coasters.

found this too

http://forums.driverguide.com/showthread.php?t=1934&page=3&pp=10

I have a sony dual layer dvd recorder model dw-d22a and I kinda had the same problem with that , I suggest getting (like Jalu6 said ) nero 6 , that software the dvd drive came with sucks ass I hate it I couldnt record shit from an image trust me pissed me off so u just tried nero 6 , my images dvds burned perfectly dw-d22a

Damn, looks like I need to get Nero 6. Thanks for all your help guys.