CD/ RW unit crashing Windows XP when blank disc used


Mesh Matrix XP 1800PLUS

Alteration by Mesh in 2003
A7A-266- Motherboard
A7N8X NFORCE2 Main Board
RMA478061

Problem:
When a blank disc is inserted in this drive, it irregularly crashes WINDOWS XP
Sometimes it correctly identifies the blank disc, other times it just crashes WINDOWS

I have tried various methods of insertion,
1. Insertion of disc straight into the drive
2. Going into WINDOWS EXPLORER, selecting the drive and waiting for it to state " Insert a disc", before insertion

Either way makes no difference

Could you please offer some advice

Yours Sincerely

Colin Wade

Microsoft say there is a driver issue

Hi colin,

Firstly whats the RMA478061 modification? is this part of the ASUS motherboard or a new CD-RW drive? I've searched for it on google and came up with nothing.

Secondly has it always reacted this way to blank discs or only recently?

Thirdly, have you contacted MESH computers and asked if anyone has reported this kind of problem with the same spec PC?

Because it is an irregular problem, It sounds to me it could one of three things, each of which have to be proved wrong to work out whats going on.

1st thing it could be is a dodgy or bad CD-RW disc itself. Try a disc in it that doesn't work. Then try it again... several times. If it crashes every time with that particular disc, try a different brand of discs. If it works fine with the new discs, then i'd say it was a dodgy batch of discs.

If it still crashes with different brands of discs, then theres a good chance it could be a dodgy CD-RW drive or lead. Do you have any PC spares handy (such as a spare CD-RW drive and different ribbon cable?) If so then try them and see if you get the same problem.

If you get the same problem then i'd say it were a software fault. I'd definately try re-installing windows and seeing if that solves it.

As for microsoft saying its a driver error (i take it you are running the windows xp supplied with your MESH pc) microsoft, believe it or not supplied the driver for your CD-RW drive. Its very rare you need to install a driver for a CD-RW drive when running windows XP. So they've shot themselves in the foot there, really.

Let me know how it goes,

Steve.

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for your reply, it was much appreciated

1. The RMA is the manufacturer’s last repair job no. and was on the original query sent to Mesh, to which I have not yet received a reply. (my apologies, I thought I had removed it for the DAL forum)

2. I rarely used the CD burner, and when it crashed, I originally thought it was just a faulty batch of discs, as it was OK when I put another in

3. Recently I have been using it much more and ascertained it was not the discs, as I have tried different manufacturers

I replaced the unit with a Sony DVD Re-Writer and the same thing is happening

Kind Regards

Roadrocket

Hi,

Judging by everything you've just said, you've ruled out the following :

1) Dodgy discs

2) CD / DVD drive itself.

And now if it only ever does it with BLANK discs, (i.e. If it plays game discs, movie DVD's, and audio CD's happily) i'd definately say something is corrupt in Windows. Theres no use using these so-called magic Windows Fixing programs that you get free on a magazine - they won't solve it. The quickest and easiest way to solve this, is to re-install Windows.

If you're worried about losing stuff off your harddrive, and obviously can't save it on blank discs, then find out where you're nearest small local PC shop is (and I don't mean PC world!) ask them for a relatively small secondhand harddrive (About 10Gb will be fine)

Then you can do one of two things.

1) Disconnect your current harddrive completely, then install windows on this cheap secondhand harddrive, and see if it solves the blank disc insertion issue. (I'm guessing 99.9% that it will be fixed!)

2) Reconnect your original hard drive, and dump all the files, music, photos, videos etc... that you want to keep onto this cheap harddrive. Then reinstall windows on your better harddrive.

If you understand what i'm saying.....?

Either way - you've got to reinstall windows to solve it. How you go about it is up to you. If you're unsure of anything i've said, just ask.

Best Of Luck

Steve.

Hi Steve

There is a new error message being displayed, after the crash analysis is sent to Microsoft

Problem caused by InstantWrite (vobiw.sys)
The problem was caused by InstantWrite (vobiw.sys). InstantWrite (vobiw.sys) was created by Pinnacle Systems, Inc.. This product is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

I have been on the Pinnacle web site and tried the latest patches to no avail so far . I have loaded the 8.2.0 with no results, and am trying the latest 8.3.0 update 29MB

My computer was purchased from Mesh with Ahead Nero installed. On replacing the hard drive Mesh installed Pinnacle, but did not send the disc
I have removed vobIW.sys, and the system will read discs with files on, but will not recognise blank discs

I could uninstall Pinnacle, but would have no software to reinstall.

I am asking Mesh for a disc, as you can selectively not install Instant Write, and this may resolve the problem

At present I have all my video work in Pinnacle

Is there anything else I could load to replace voBIW.sys?

Yes I have Pinacle and XP and the same problem with the DVD-RW. PC crashing with a disc in the DVD drive. Anyway I'm having a new PC as the problem has spoiled my pleasure.