My dvd writer HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GSA-H20L (ATA/ATAPI-5,not SATA)does not recognize blank disks when inserted.It plays movies and audio dvd/cd without any problem but simply says there is no disk/insert disk when a blank is put in.I've tried changing autoplay settings and opening with different programs like Ashampoo but still nothing!.Also tried to find firmware and driver updates but no luck yet.I've also pulled the pc to bits and made sure all cables etc. are connected.Also tried different disks from cd r-/+ to dvd R RW -/+ (all of them basically).Any ideas would be a great help.

HP/Compaq Presario SR1910AN
Mobo C51/MCP51-A8M2N-LA-00
Vista Ultimate x64 (upgraded from XP home edition)
Maxtor 500Gb HDD
AMD Athlon 64x2 6000+ (upgraded from AMD Sempron 3200+)
HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GSA-H20L ATA/ATAPI-5
2Gb ddr2 667 Mhz (from 512 Mb)
Nvidia 8800 gts (from 6150le onboard to 8600gt to 8800gts)
All drivers are current.
Oh yeah Device manager says that the dvd drive is working properly!.HELP!!!!!!!

I'll try,let you know what happens

Thanks for the info,I'm just on my way to the shop/store to try another brand (tried with imation dvd - r x16)no go,get back to here later (maybe 1 hour).P.S. What are you using (brand) blank media ??.

Yeah!.I use an external hdd for backups and usually a 16Gb mem drive/rom(usb) for portable apps etc.
The reason I'm trying to get this to work is because I need to burn an .iso image of Linux Ubuntu(bootable) to boot a friends machine(he has no os at all.).He's a pensioner and can not afford windows xp or vista at present.The system we built(yes I put it together)out of old bits and pieces starts fine but no os,I'm sure you get the idea.

Maybe it is a Vista driver problem after all. I don't have exactly the same device (because I am not on my HP system), but similar. Here is how mine look:

Go to Photobucket http://photobucket.com/. There you register and upload whatever snip ot picture you want (I recommend to make your snips in PNG format - is clearer), left click on IMG code (the last of the 4) - that is like a copy. Then paste into the reply box here. Note: after you pasted, you will only see a string of letters and numbers, but after you post (send post), it will become a picture. Make sure you leave a couple of blank lines between your text and the information string from Photobucket. If in Photobucket you have the feeling that the picture is very large, you can resize it. Click on the picture once it's loaded, then above the picture you will see the "resize option". Take the biggest one they show there. After a while, you'll get the hang of it.

To capture the image use the snipping tool (it's in Accessories). Type SNIP into the Start search and it will appear above. Pin it to the Start menu or Quick Launch to have it handy. Launch the tool, drag the cursor diagonally over the part you want to capture, and when OK, release the left clicker. Then File > Save as > give it a name > Save (or hit ENTER). The snip will be in Pictures. Upload it from there into Photobucket and proceed as explained earlier.
PS. I close shop for today. It's 3AM for me. Talk to you tomorrow.

You basically have the same driver as me. The 2 other driver modules I have are probably not relevant for you. The GEARASPI... is for my Norton Ghost, that you probably do not have and the PxHelp... is an old Sonic driver that I do not even know why it is there. I think Nero uses it.

Just bought a new drive to see if it works.

Samsung (SATA) SH-S203B,came with a driver disc and after installing and checking for updates now both drives work in Vista x64????.It's what I was after but the nagging question remains.Must have been a driver issue but still can't understand why a driver from another manufacturer can fix my other drive?.Anyway thank you for all your help,much appreciated.

If you do find something send me an email so we don't clog up the forums.LOL!

mtkamppi@gmail.com