nero 7

Hi

I'm not sure whether my problem is with Nero or with my disk drive.
Basically when I open up Nero 7 all seems well, but as soon as I insert a blank CD to burn, the little timer just goes round and round endlessly (until I remove the disk and Nero then appears normal)
I was going to re-install Nero but its an OEM PC and I don't appear to have a disk for it.

UPDATE : I've just tried burning a CD again and this time when I press the "burn" button the "Save Image File" menu appears even though I'm attempting to burn an audio CD. This has now happened several times, and sometimes I still get the little timer as my DVD writer tries to read the blank disk.

Hope you can help

 

I'm assuming you have XP or Vista. Grab a new blank CD and put it in the drive and be sure that no programs are open (like Nero or other burning software). Windows should pop up a window saying something like "HEY!!! There's a blank disc here! What to you want to do with it?!?!" and you'll have a list of options. Click on "Cancel" or close the dialog window. Find yourself a small data file, right click on it, and select "Send To > Drive D:" or whatever your CD/DVD burner drive letter is. Then follow the on screen prompts to finish burning the small data file. Then when it's done, pop the newly burned disc in a different PC (if possible) and make sure it burned OK. If so, then the problem is likely with Nero. There's plenty of good free burning apps available, try one and see if it works for you. Here's a few that I like:
AShampoo Burning Studio 6 http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ashampoo_Burning_Studio_6_FREE_d5937.html
BurnAware http://www.majorgeeks.com/BurnAware_Free_Edition_d5839.html
CD Burner XP http://www.majorgeeks.com/CDBurnerXP_d4242.html (haven't used this in a while, but it's VERY popular)
StarBurn http://www.majorgeeks.com/StarBurn_d5936.html
...and there's many, many more free burning tools listed here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads3.html

 

Thanks for your reply.

It appears the problem may be with my DVD RW Drive. When I insert a blank disk it does not autoplay (even though the autoplay option is enabled).
I did as suggested and attempted to send a small data file to the drive, but it failed to recognize the CD (which is presumably why Nero wouldn't burn a disk).
The drive does however play a DVD movie (but not autoplay)

I guess I'm resigned to a new DVD RW. Are they easy enough to fit ? (I've got a desktop system)

Thanks again

 

I don't mean to imply anything or to insult your intelligence, but are you sure the drive is a burner? Have you burned successfully in the past? Have you tried a different burning program (there's many good free ones here http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads3.html or try one of the ones I posted earlier)?

Anyway- replacing a DVD drive is really simple. The only small problem you might have is the front panel; many of the major PC makers (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc) require you to remove the front panel from the rest of the case in order to remove/replace a DVD drive. So, if you open the case, unscrew the drive, and you can tell that the front panel is stopping it from sliding forward, then you'll need to consult the manual (available online usually) to find out how to remove the front panel. Sometimes it's real easy and self explanatory; other times it's like a freakin' nightmarish puzzle. Other than that, just be sure to connect the cables (power and data) firmly and correctly, and make sure the jumper (if there is one) is set the same as the drive you removed. It will plug-n-play and Windows will pick it up automatically.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your ultra-fast reply ! (the ink was still wet on my post!)

Yes it's definitely a burner (I've burned hundreds of CDS), and don't worry I don't take offense...after all you never know the level of people you are trying to help. (one of the great things about this forum is that you guys are never patronizing or for that matter assume we are all experts)
At some point I'll certainly try some of the burning software you suggested (thanks for that), but whilst my drive is failing to recognize a blank CD I guess there is not much point at the moment.

I appreciate your advice on replacing the DVD drive. I'll give it a go.

You guys have once again been more than helpful.

Thanks