CD Writer Problems

[LazyBonzo]

I tried to find help on the forum where I spend most of my time, but it's not specifically for computer problems so I'm posting here (first post) hoping that someone has any ideas.

Summary of my problem:
My CD-RW drive has stopped working, it used to write cd's now it doesn't. It also takes several minutes to now read a game or music cd, and it only recognises one brand of my CDW's, the others (which work fine on my friend's cd writer) it won't even accept are there.

For more details (computer and drive details) this is the original topic -
http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/33/53.html

[If linking to other sites is frowned upon then can someone tell me so and I'll pick out the relevant parts of my post].

Any help is greatly appreciated (though I won't be back at my house with the computer till monday (1st Nov))

 

[MaxBurn]

To eleminate the question of software problems pull the drive and test it in another computer.

Seriously though, as far as things failing in computers, optical drives are pretty high on the list. Both myself and my friend are on our second DVD burners.

 

[Will Rickards]

CD-RW drives are cheap.
You can find a liteon one for probably less than $20.
I wouldn't waste time trying to diagnose the drive but spend $20 and almost absolutely* ensure the problem gets fixed.

* It could of course be not the drive itself but maybe the power supply or cable. ANd you could get a dead drive even if you buy new...