Help! Please! Every time I try to burn mp3 files from my hard drive to my cd-r drive I get a message to install a blank cd into my burning device. This happens with any program I try to burn music with. Apparently my computer doesn't recognize that there already is a blank cd-r in the tray. What gives? Thanks in advance for any help anyone might be able to give me...

Did this drive ever burn OK?

Does it recognize CD's that already contain data or music?

Are you sure that your blank disks are compatible with the drive?

Jephree,
Yes, this drive has burned ok in the past and also will play and display music and data. Perhaps you are correct that the disks aren't compatible with the drive. Oddly enough, I just stuck in an Imation cd-rw and it burned the mp3 files ok. How can I tell which cd-r's are compatible with my drive? Thanks for the input.
Madjack

Are the disks detected when you insert them? Do you get the blinking CD icon next to the cursor? Does the drive light blink?

What is the difference between disks that you have burned in the past and these that cannot burn? Are they both -RW? What about the write speed?

Jephree,
The computer does detect the cd when I insert it. I don't get a blinking icon next to my cursor, but I do get a blinking drive light. The write speed on the cd-r's is 52x. The cd-rw says 1x-4x compatible, whatever that means. This a fairly new computer for me and perhaps I never have burned cd-r's on it after all. I have never had a problem burning music with cd-r's on my other computers, so I just assumed this one was capable of it too. Again..thanks for the help.
Madjack

"I just stuck in an Imation cd-rw and it burned the mp3 files ok."

What was the write speed on this disk?

I am not certain but this may be your problem.

What is the make and model of your CD-RW drive?

You can see this by right clicking the drive under My Computer then click Properties then Hardware.

The write speed on this disk (the cd-rw) was 1x-4x compatible. Not sure what that means but it is all I can find on the cd-rw. The computer is a HP a1430n. the model is HP DVD Writer 740b. When I select the recording tab on properties, "enable cd recording on this drive" is checked, and the write speed selected is "fastest". Hope this info helps. Thanks,
Madjack

I think you need to get CD-R or CD-RW as seen here:

CD-R Write Once 40X
CD-RW Rewritable 24X


16X DVD(+/-)R/RW (+/-)R DL LightScribe drive

Must use Double-Layer media discs in order to take advantage of the DL technology
Must use LightScribe-enabled media discs and supporting software in order to take advantage of the LightScribe technology

Port type Quantity

DVD-R DL Write Once 4X
DVD+R DL Write Once 2.4X
DVD+R Write Once 16X
DVD+RW Rewritable 4X
DVD-R Write Once 8X
DVD-RW Rewritable 4X
DVD ROM Read 16X

CD-R Write Once 40X
CD-RW Rewritable 24X

CD-ROM Read 40X


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...843642&lang=en

There is a Firmware upgrade here (may or may not help):

» DVD-RW 16X HP DVD Writer 740b Drive Firmware Update

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...843642&lang=en

Jephree,
Thank you so much for your prompt help. I think you have steered me in the right direction.
Madjack

No problem.

Let us know if we can help further in the future.