Member Avatar for Prodigy

I can burn music from a cd to HD but can't burn to CD?? Whats the problem? The burner I have installed is NEC NR-7900A.

The program I use to burn my CDs is Windows Media 9.0. I have used this program for over a year now and i worked perfect.. When I try to burn a CD it says that "No Devices Detected". What could be the problem?


Dell 8200
Windows XP Home Edition

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Dani AI

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Brief diagnostic primer (NEC NR-7900A on a Dell 8200, Windows XP Home). The core symptom — Windows Media Player 9 reports “No devices detected” while the drive still reads discs — usually points to either (A) Windows/software-level problems (WMP/IMAPI conflicts, packet‑writing drivers, registry filters) or (B) hardware/capability issues (drive not actually a writer, jumper/cable problems, failing write laser or incompatible media). ’s suggestion to check WMP’s Devices list and ’s suggestion to try other burning software are good first isolation steps; the checklist below converts those hints into a reliable order of tests.

First tier (device detection)

  • Confirm the BIOS lists the optical drive and that the same model appears under Device Manager → DVD/CD‑ROM drives. If the drive is missing or shows errors, check power and IDE cable/jumper settings and reseat or swap the cable before software troubleshooting.
  • If the drive is present, test burning with a different burning application (this separates WMP issues from hardware faults). A successful burn with alternate software means WMP/IMAPI configuration is the likely culprit.

Second tier (Windows/software fixes)

  • Ensure Windows’ IMAPI (CD‑burning) component is enabled. Remove packet‑writing apps (InCD/DirectCD) which can make discs appear “not blank” (as noted by ).
  • If other apps also fail, check for the common registry filter conflict: back up the registry, then inspect the CD/DVD class key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

    If UpperFilters or LowerFilters exist, export the key and then remove those values; reboot. (Edit the registry only after creating a restore point.)

When hardware is likely

  • A drive that reads but won’t write can have a dead write laser or be incompatible with the blank media brand/type. Try a different brand/type at lower burn speed and a commercial lens‑cleaner if optical contamination is suspected (cleaning carries small risk). Firmware updates from the drive maker can help, but only after confirming the exact model/capability.
  • On aging systems the simplest practical fix is a low‑cost external USB writer.

Notes: referenced Microsoft KB316529 (mentioned above) for WMP detection issues; that and device‑manager/BIOS checks help determine whether this is a software or hardware problem before replacing components.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for caperjack

did you go into WMP's tools /options and Devices and see if the burner is still in the list ,if not try adding it to the list

Member Avatar for varturas

a) Try using another burner software (nero, easy creator) trial version (it's free)
b) Did you try to burn CD image on disk and then burn this image to CD-R?
c) I could not burn Audio CDs, what ultimately helped was cleaning of my burner (do it at your own risk).
Check this link for more details
http://www.nero.com/us/632173730078676.html#11
-Arturas Vaitaitis

Member Avatar for kt_pie

It doesn't matter what program I use, every time I try to burn a cd, it thinks the disc I put in the drive isn't blank. I don't get that.

Member Avatar for finito

umm, this may be a silly question, but do you have a CD-Writer or is it just a ROM?

Member Avatar for finito

umm, this may be a silly question, but do you have a CD-Writer or is it just a ROM?

Sorry I didn't read your post correctly

please try this
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316529

Member Avatar for paiger

I was using itunes! I don't know if the music in the library had to be from itunes, or if i was doing something wrong! I put about 18 songs that i wanted to burn in the list, then i hit burn cd. I don't know what it could be but it's a blank cd and it cancels less then a minute of trying to read the first song on the list. Help!

Member Avatar for thegeex

Are you sure you try on CD writer when burn CD and How old is your CD Wirtter,After some time CD writer lens automatically out of service.Replace CD writer Lens.

Member Avatar for Darien_1

Where can somebody download KB316529?

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