k3b burning problem or dead burner?

[wayne1932]

This is a Dell D610, with a TsstCorp DVD+-RW TS-L632D DVD burner in it.  I bought the machine used, and I think that I have burned disks before in it.  Since I installed PCLOS 2010.1 on it, and fully updated, I am getting some strange results. 

I have always burned at the slowest possible speed.  I am burning a data disk with k3b, using Philips CD blanks. 
Burning appears to be proceeding normally and finishes OK. 

But the burned CD is not recognized to have any data on it with Dolphin file manager, although when I check it with k3b, it gives the correct volume name and amount of data, tells me it is not-rewritable not appendable, and not empty.  I get the same results when checking the disk in my desktop machine with k3b. Notification popup window does not see it either, although the light on the drive blinks for a long time after the disk is inserted. The burned disk to the eye appears to have been burned--about half of the disk has different appearance for 283Mb of data. 

I have completely removed k3b and all k3b related files, Then reinstalled it, and reinstalled all the wodim and cdrecord files it depends on.  No joy afterwards, same results.  I have no problems burning these disks in my desktop machine. 

Anybody have any ideas about what to try next?

[menotu]

Are other CD/DVDs (i.e. not ones burnt by k3b) recognized by your system and can they be used okay?

Have you tried burning a disk with another app?

Tried switching to another account and seeing if things are okay there?

If you've done any updating, maybe worth trying a reboot.

[wayne1932]

Have had no problems reading other disks, pressed or burnt.  However.

I just tried a DVD+RW that I had used before, tried to erase it and k3b failed to even try--got the  "can overwrite" message.  That same disk in my desktop machine was successfully erased (k3b).  Then that same disk was successfully written to on the laptop with my data, and it is recognized in my desktop machine. This data is a lot of genealogy stuff-- pictures, files, programs(for the Winders folk to install)

So right now it looks like I can burn DVD+RWs but not CD-R. 

[Old-Polack]

Have had no problems reading other disks, pressed or burnt.  However.

I just tried a DVD+RW that I had used before, tried to erase it and k3b failed to even try--got the  "can overwrite" message.  That same disk in my desktop machine was successfully erased (k3b).  Then that same disk was successfully written to on the laptop with my data, and it is recognized in my desktop machine. This data is a lot of genealogy stuff-- pictures, files, programs(for the Winders folk to install)

So right now it looks like I can burn DVD+RWs but not CD-R. 

Some machines use different lasers for DVD and CD burning. You may have one laser in the process of dying, or just dirty. I'd be cleaning the lenses with alcohol and something soft. I use Bounty paper towels mostly, and cotton swabs for tight places. If lens cleaning doesn't work, a new burner might be in order.

[menotu]

My wife has an TsstCorp drive on her HP Pavillion and same thing happened - CD laser went but DVD one is okay.

Do you happen to have a CD Laser Lens Cleaner disk handy?  You could give that a whirl and see if that will help "restore" it.

[T6]

most dvd burners use only one lens

when they start to fail to read dvds or cds but can read the other, time to replace them, some time later will stop reading the other type it reads now

sometimes a deep clean can help but a cleaner disk won't be enough

it is better to disassemble the unit to gain access to the lens surface and clean it delicately but firmly to get better results, not only dust can be accumulated there

this video(for a dvd player but is almost the same) will give you the general procedure to do it

http://www.howcast.com/videos/13287-How-To-Clean-an-Optical-Disc-Player

don't use paper!!  this will scratch the lens, if you don't have cotton you can use microfiber cloth

the cd lens cleaners that uses liquids are known because some liquids will create a perfect layer of dirt over the lens and you eventually will need the cotton or the cloth to clean the mess

anyway remember that this diy can be dangerous, do it at your own risk

[menotu]

but a cleaner disk won't be enough

Always worked here.

[T6]

the always remarked by you is only your perception of your good experiences with optical technology

that always is not for everyone under different circumstances

last week i found a post-it inside a dvd burner, the unit couldn't open the disc tray, after i removed both parts of the post-it the unit was still failing, the paper had nothing to do, it was the mechanism refusing to work, the classic fix worked, always leave a disc inside the tray, any disc, the tray will probably work

someone said the magnets keeping in place, the disc holder(a piece on top of the motor that moves the disc) was working beyond requirements

as you see, i have some experience with optical drives, not always a cd cleaner will be enough, in fact in some cases this things can damage the lens 

[wayne1932]

I've about reached the conclusion that the laser for burning CDs is going bad.  After "burning" a CD the appearance of the burned area has changed, but the disk  is not completely recognized or read.  When I look at it in k3b, it will read the volume ID and tell me all about it (how much data, read only, appendable etc) but I cannot read the data.  Sometimes another CD drive will just tell me it is a blank disk.  This drive will read burned CDs and pressed CDs.  As a matter of fact I have an audio CD I burned several years ago that gives me trouble in my stereo system--TEAC player.  This CD will play in the laptop better than it does in my Desktop machine.   It plays DVDs very well.  Cleaning the lens with a cotton swab and alcohol did nothing to improve it. 

[T6]

then you found the answer, time to replace the drive

[wayne1932]

I tried to clean it with compressed air.  Got too close and now it's DEAD. 

Just ordered a new one off ebay for $33. Free shipping.

[T6]

compressed air usually doesn't help specially if you aim to the lens, that is why the cotton is so popular

[wayne1932]

Back from vacation, the new drive came while I was gone.  Have it installed in my laptop, and am now checking it out.  The old drive was a TSST brand, the new one is a NEC, but they have the same Dell part number, and identical in appearance.

It reads/plays cds and dvds just fine.

First trials to burn gave an error message about permissions so I run k3bsetup, and changed permissions.  The instructions given with k3bsetup are not very helpful, unless you already know what you are doing, and if you do, why have these instructions? 

Never had problems before but now I'm having questions about cd/dvd burning in general.  Joliet? iso9660?   8.3 filename?

Back later when I get questions organized.