Optical Drives...

I posted this on another forum with zeros replies, hope someone here can help


OK, my friend, she wants to browse the web, watch videos, ect No gaming.

She has a Compaq box with this motherboard I added 2 gig of ram, and a 500 gig seagate for storage. I did a fresh format on her 80gig, think it's a samsung hard drive. Installed XP Pro (SP3) and most programs she would need.
Then she tells me it won't burn to a DVD, Duh, it's a CD-R/DVD reader (TSST TS-H429A) so we run down to circuit city and grab this burner a Nexxtech LH1P20A. Seemed like a nice piece... So we are then walking through office Max a big display of buy 1, get 1 free of Magnavox DC-R & DVD-R, so we now have 200 CD-R & 100 DVD. Then it gets weird... I burn about 20 CD-R trouble free. From her 500 gig that I 'accidentally' copied over 350 gig of stuff. Then went to try some DVD-R I got four burnt with no problem, then the next one grinds the drive and can't find the blank. I thought ok, junk media. Nero reports all thesediscs as CMC. This continues though about 5 tries. I then un-installed the nexxtech and popped the TSST back in and it makes the same noise looking for the DVD-R I had just burnt. I am out of ideas, this thing won't see any media (Magnavox, TY, Verb) This happens with all programs that I try Nero, WMP, Power ISO, Magic ISO, IMGBurn. The media burnt in my Lite-On won't read in this drive. Almost thinking a windows issue since windows can't even see the media (but only 3 days old) I put the Nexxtech in my box, same result.

Conclusions:

Junk media.
Junk Nexxtech drive (getting returned tomorrow.)
Failing TSST drive.
NOT virus spyware (only been on the web about 10 minutes to get SP3.)

Questions:

Can bad media take out the drive? if so I don't want to kill the next one.
Is there any software conflicts causing this? (full list will be given if needed.)
Is the moon not aligned with Venus?
What is the best drive to get from circuit city (close, instant satisfaction type) A) Sony DRU840A, B) Memorex 32023257 C) LG GSAH54LI. Thats what is in stock in our local store.

Any answers or suggestions you can give will be appreciated.

 

well, i've read good and bad reviews on circuit city site about the dvd drive that you bought. i'd say it's probably bad (defect)? anyway, i tend to stay with brand name burners (i've not really heard of nexxtech). however, i also check the sales ads every weekend, so i tend to buy what's on sale, while sticking to a brand name. i'd say any of those listed should be ok. g/l, sos

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...h55ni&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1177717727747 <-- i picked up this one a few months back for $39.99 on sale

also, i'm not sure if dvd+r's would have been better?

 

Thanks, I have since found out that Nextech is CC 'house brand' built by "Orbyx Electronics" another brand I haven't heard of (who is zero help, even asking for firmware updates they don't even know what I'm talking about.) Oh well live and learn. It's going to get switched out for something else. Kinda leaning towards the Sony look good from the specs & reviews.
I have had good luck with -R & +R, but this thing wouldn't recognize -R, +R, +RW.