How Come Windows Won't Burn a CD?

[Tom]

I've had a puzzler for several months now, where the internal Windows XP CD burning systems don't work. If I drag files to the CD or try to burn music using WMP, I get an immediate failure--and I mean the instant you click go--where it tells me that it can't burn to the disc, that it might be a bad disc, speed is too fast etc. It doesn't seem to even try.

Now, if I use 3rd party software such as Nero (http://www.nero.com) or CDBurnerXP Pro 3 (http://www.cdburnerxp.se/), they don't have a problem at all and burn data files and music CDs perfectly and without hesitation and at 48x.

I thought it might've been my CD burner not getting along, but I recently replaced it with a new DVD burner -- same thing happens, so it's not the drive. I'm okay and just bought some music from MSN via WMP and burned the CDs for my car using Nero, but if a part of my computer doesn't do the job when it should, one wonders if there's another shoe to drop. MSKB has so far not been helpful, so here's my question being tossed out there. :dunno:

[Mandi]

Are your Windows Updates, up to date? I know I've seen updates to the CD-burning utility in recent updates.

I'd also look through your services and see if you've got anything disabled that is connected to the built in burner. (Run --> services.msc)

[Tom]

Thanks for the reply. I'm totally current on updates. Good idea on services -- only thing I see there is IMAPI CDBurning set to manual, which should be fine. I'll see about forcing it to start.

[Randall]

Good idea on services -- only thing I see there is IMAPI CDBurning set to manual, which should be fine. I'll see about forcing it to start. The services angle never occurred to me either. The Elder Geek (http://www.theeldergeek.com/imapi_cd-burning_com_service.htm) suggests switching to auto if you're having problems. Worth a shot.

It's also possible that third-party software could conflict with it -- I recently installed a Roxio Easy CD update at work because of problems with the XP feature. (Haven't needed to burn a CD since then, so I don't know if it actually helped any.)

When it works, it's the easiest way to fly. Unfortunately, I've yet to see it work reliably on any one machine. :hrmm:

Randall