External CD/DVD problems
 

I have a Toshiba Satellite A35 that I use as my traveling laptop. I've been backing up my data files to an external DVD burner (HP DVD 740), and also have an external CD burner (ATAPI CD-RW) attached through a D-Link USB hub. A couple of weeks ago the write functions on both the external DVD and CD stopped working. I can still read from discs, but not write. I hooked up an older TDK DVD burner and have the same problem, it reads but won't write. Given that all 3 used to work and I haven't made any changes (other than updateing virus signatures), what might cause them to stop writing, and what can I do about it other than buying a new laptop?

Nobody has any suggestions?

What software do you use to write to the CD/DVD media?

Do you have any software which emulates a CD/DVD drive (e.g. for mounting ISOs)?

1. I've successfully used both NTI CD & DVD maker and Nero. I've also just dragged and dropped files to the CD burner using Windows Explorer. None of them work any more, they give me a message that says "No supported drive detected" or something like that. (I'm traveling right now, the drives are at home.)

2. No, I don't have CD/DVD drive emulation software

what kind of device does device manager and nero show it as? About the time it stopped working, did you do anything to your pc and/or network.

Try plugging in an external dvd drive directly without the dlink and see if that works (to take the hub out of the equation).

I'll check the device manager when I get home Saturday. Nero and NTI CD&DVD Maker both show "No Supported Drive detected." I didn't do anything with the pc and/or network other than my usual update of virus signatures.

I have tried a direct link without the USB hub and get the same problem.

Do they work OK when connected to a different computer?
Do you have the latest drivers from the manufacturer?