Ok, when I attempt to burn a cd, i insert a blank disk (it's the right format, my burning program says i have to use cd-r) and it spins, and stops. and spins and stops. sometimes this will go on for a few minutes before it "catches" and it will burn fine. Other times it will go through this spinning and stopping for several minutes and then i get the "burn process failed" message. This is not the original cd drive that came with the computer, it's a newer, faster one. it worked fine at first. i usually set the burn speed much slower than the media requires, thinking this might help. it doesn't. i really hope my burner isn't shot. i've tried pretty much all brands of blank cds. can someone please tell me what is going on here? can this be remedied?

Have you updated the drivers or firmware? What type of computer is it? You may have to reload or update the drivers. You might also try a registry clean/fix program; there may be some corruption of the Windows Registry. I'd also recommend checking the CD manufacturer site and see if they have patches or workarounds.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

I went to Lite-On's site but none of their trouble-shooting or FAQs helped. I wrote them an email describing my problem. I appreciate your help, but I'm not 100% sure how to do the things you suggested. Don't want to update my driver until I hear from Lite-On. Still not sure how to update firmware. Thanks again!

There should be a link to the products and from there you should find a link to dowloads or support. There you will find drivers and firmware updates. (Not totally sure, but this may be the page you want: http://www.liteonit.com/ODD/e_index.asp. There's several companies called Lite-On, so I don't know if this is the one you want, but it gives you an idea of what you're looking for).

For registry programs, try http://www.tucows.com/regist95_default.html. The TUCOWS site has many shareware apps, and this page should have something that will help you. You might also consider some of the big PC magazine sites, like PCWorld or PCMagazine. These magazines not only have a download section but also advice columns which may help answer your questions. You can always write to them for more information if you need.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Thank you, went to the Firmware download section of Lite-On site you gave me. Looks like it's the one I need, but unsure if I should go ahead with it. Big warning flashing across site that says once firmware is upgraded it can't be changed back and to make sure I downloaded for correct model number. Has 2 different files for same model number. Eek. don't know what to do. Should I wait til I hear back from Lite-On?

P.S. CD+Rs wouldn't make a difference would they? Or are they not compatable at all?

Not knowing your model #, I can't say for certain which file to use. One may be older than the other; if so, use the newest one. Look at the readme files for each, that may help you make up your mind. If you've already contacted tech support, I'd suggest waiting for a response. They may have a known work around for you.

Technically, CD+R doesn't exist. It's just called CD-R (or CD-RW for rewritables). When you move to DVD's you need to be careful about which version you have. DVD+R isn't compatible w/ -R (same w/ the RW versions) and DVD-RAM is completely different also. Many readers can use either version, but you have to make sure before you buy the discs.

But to answer your question (in a round-about way), using a different disc may help (some brands are better than others). And you can use an RW disc in place of an R so you don't keep ruining discs. Normally RW discs use packet writing software to let you continue to add to them or write over them, but it's not absolutely necessary (as long as they've been formatted).

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Lite-On wrote back and they suggested updating the firmware. I went ahead and did that and the problem seems to be fixed. No more spin up, spin down. Thank you Crystalattice for all your help!