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NEC ND-3540A does not recognise CDRs

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seanform

Technical User
Dec 5, 2002
35
MT
Hello, I have a NEC DVDRW Model ND-3540A. It works fine with DVDs. However when I put a blank CD it does not recognise it. Nero gives 'no disc in drive'. I have tried it on different PCs. I have also upgraded its firmware from 1.01 to 1.04 but problem remains.
 
Could be defective. I understand that there are seperate lasers for CD and DVD. Is it still under warranty?
 
Yes. That can be the reason. I did not know that cd and dvd reading/writing have seperate lasers.
 
Question is: Does it recognize anyother type of CD that you pop into it, and not just blanks?

on blanks, it could just be that it can't focus the laser properly and then you may need to try another type of blank...

if it does not recognize Magazine CD's or the Original XP CD, ie. then mostlikely the DVD is toast...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
 
It does not recognise CDs. It works fine with DVDs however.
 
Then it is mostlikely like Micker mentioned...

You could try a Firmware update, and see if that relieves the problem, otherwise buy a new one (pretty cheap nowadays)...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
 
You haven't mentioned what burning software you're using. That could be a factor here.

Also, I'm not sure we got a clear answer to Ben's question earlier about it reading CDs. Have you tried a regular store-bought music CD? We understand it can't read blanks, but we need to know whether or not it can read commercial CDs as well.

If it can't read any CD, period, then the burning software you're using does not matter. And since you've tried installing the drive in different PC's trying to read a "commercial" CD, then we can be pretty sure it's not a Windows problem. At this point, I would venture out to or and get another one for cheap. If you buy OEM, you should be able to find another NEC burner for under $50 easily.
_________________________________________________

As for there being more than one laser...

(You may want to grab a cup of coffee before moving on!) [morning]

Most DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives manufactured in the last five years have one lens and one laser. The laser switches wavelength intensities to read the different type of discs - DVD and CD formats. The "switching" process could be acting up on the drive. Some drives get stuck only able to read CDs, and others (as in your case) get stuck only able to read DVDs. Older DVD players have two seperate lasers - one for CD and one for DVD - which is the reason why many of the first DVD players were so expensive. You won't see that in any computer DVD-ROM drive today.

Here's more info to back that up:

...Mitsubishi has designed a mechanism that swings two different lenses into the path of the laser beam, changing its wavelength from 635 to 780 nanometers. Another clever solution, devised by Matsushita, beams the laser through an aspheric molded-glass lens that has a special holographic pattern on its surface. The holographic pattern modifies the laser's wavelength for either CD or DVD by diffracting the beam...

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Therefore, it would be rare if your drive is having some sort of mechanical problem reading CDs. Instead, there is probably a short or some other malfunction on the system board inside the drive.

[thumbsup2]

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
 
Thanx CDogg for that precise and clear to understand information...

:thumbs up:

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
 
It does not read commercial cds. Originally it was installed with nero but i've also tried burning with xp. Yep i'm sure it has a faulty cd laser. Thanks m8s :)
 
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