HomeForumsWhat's newResources 
 
 
Getting CDRs to be read on an OLD CDROM Drive
racketboy - Jun 12, 2003
  racketboy Jun 12, 2003
I have an old Thinkpad that has a CD Drive that has problems reading CDRs.

In Windows it can usually read them, but it can be a little reluctant and can also be very slow and give read errors.

But if I boot into DOS, I always get Abort, Retry, Fail errors when trying to read a CDR.

Factory pressed media seems to work fine.

Think is, I want to install Linux on the machine, but all I have with me is a distro on a CDR. I also would like to be able to read other disks too, so don't just teach me how to install other ways.

Is there a certain burning process that would help.

Or maybe a certain type of media?

Right now I'm using Fujis. They have a blueish bottom.

 Dyne Jun 12, 2003
1x burn speed mebbe? the only thing i can think is that since its an old drive it might be picky with fast burns?

 Raijin Z Jun 12, 2003
The burn mode is more important than the speed, but some drives just CAN'T read CDRs.

 racketboy Jun 12, 2003

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by Raijin Z@Jun 13, 2003 @ 12:12 AM



 The burn mode is more important than the speed, but some drives just CAN'T read CDRs.


it will read it in Windows -- just not real well

I'll try the lower speed.

BTW, the drive always makes weird sounds with CDRs too -- very strange

 racketboy Jun 12, 2003
OK, I tried burning another copy at 1X to see if that helps -- it doesn't.

I also tried reading an Imation disc that is also a faily light color with just a hint of green/yellow. It didn't work.

 mal Jun 12, 2003
Are those discs working any better in Windows?

 racketboy Jun 12, 2003

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by mal@Jun 13, 2003 @ 03:06 AM



 Are those discs working any better in Windows?


Nope -- not at all

 IceDigger Jun 12, 2003
If using the best brand cdr's out there doesnt work nothing will.

 racketboy Jun 12, 2003

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by IceMan2k@Jun 13, 2003 @ 04:13 AM



 If using the best brand cdr's out there doesnt work nothing will.


as in Fuji?

I have a feeling no CDRs are gonna work -- the bad sounds give me a bad feeling.

I'm gonna take the Thinkpad to work and see if I can take the HD out (not sure how to do that), put it in my USB enclosure, and put the install files on there, and then put it back in the machine. Or something of that sort.

 MasterAkumaMatata Jun 13, 2003
What ISO settings did you use when you burned to CD-R?

This setting is good.





If you enabled any of the highlighted areas below, then you'll see the warning message at the bottom.




 mtxblau Jun 13, 2003
Firstly, poke around the thinkpad website for the service manual - it'll tell you how to remove it. The newer models are as easy as removing an external panel... for my older thinkpad, it was a nightmare.

Before you stick it in the USB enclosure, make sure you have the adapter (unless the enclosure does have one).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&cate...

I've had this similar issue (actually, I didn't have CDRom drive for my thinkpad - 365XD), what I did was make two partitions, and with the adapter placed all the install files on the second partition. Then I booted up, formatted the primary partition, and installed. Worked great. I imagine one partition would be fine as well (I used a parallel port adapter to do this - tricky business).

 racketboy Jun 13, 2003
my enclosure is for notebook drives, so that helps

 racketboy Jun 13, 2003

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by MasterAkumaMatata@Jun 13, 2003 @ 05:18 AM



 What ISO settings did you use when you burned to CD-R?



This setting is good.


Akuma, is that Nero?

 MasterAkumaMatata Jun 13, 2003
Indeed.