Member Avatar for robyngar

i'm totally not computer literate i'm just trying to find some help! My cd burner for some reason can't or won't read the cd's i'm trying to burn. Both the cd and dvd's play, but i cannot for some reason burn an audio cd. When i put the blank cd into the drive, i get a message saying "please insert blank disc into drive"....i've checked the drivers (well as well as a computer idiot can) i've looked for updates, downloaded updates...i've been doing this for 8 hours and i can't figure out the problem....UGH...can someone help this IDIOT??!!! pppllleeeaaassseee??!!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by vigneshvh

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Symptom summary and context: the burner can read CDs/DVDs but the burning software reports the drive needs a “blank disc” when an apparently blank CD is inserted. tried the bundled Sonic software and, according to earlier replies from and , also attempted Windows Media Player; those steps failing points toward media/driver/software-interference issues rather than simple user error.

Practical checklist (quick, in-order):

  • Confirm the blank media is a writable CD (CD‑R or an erased CD‑RW). DVD discs are not equivalent to audio CD media.
  • Inspect the disc in Explorer: a truly blank disc appears empty; a session‑finalized or partially written disc won’t be accepted as “blank.”
  • Try a different brand/new pack of blank CD‑R (cheap media frequently fails). Burn at a lower speed if the option exists.
  • Disable or uninstall packet‑writing/virtual‑drive tools (InCD, Roxio DirectCD, Alcohol, Daemon Tools, etc.)—these commonly block blank‑disc detection.
  • Check Device Manager for errors under “DVD/CD‑ROM drives”; uninstall the device and let Windows redetect it. Swap IDE/SATA cables or try an external USB burner to rule out hardware/cable failure.

Advanced checks and cautions:

  • Registry upper/lower filter entries under the CD class key can prevent blank detection; back up the registry before removing UPPERFILTERS/LOWERFILTERS.
  • Look for drive firmware updates from the drive manufacturer and apply only official firmware.
  • If software already tried (Sonic/WMP) failed, test with a small, reputable burn utility on another PC to separate media/drive from OS/software issues.

Safety note: always back up the registry and important data before making low‑level changes. If editing system settings is uncomfortable, professional service will avoid accidental data loss.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for Duoas

Er, this is the wrong place for such questions. This forum is for people progamming in C++.

A CD usually needs to have some formatting done to it before writing. Perhaps your software is complaining that it hasn't been prepared to write audio data to it?

Member Avatar for robyngar

i apologize, i'm just trying to find some help, i thought this was the place to do it...

Member Avatar for Angie70

I think it's a software problem. Try different programs perhaps? I recommend Sonic over Nero.

Member Avatar for robyngar

I actually have Sonic, it came with the computer. I thought maybe i had an outdated version and have tried updates etc., but nothing seems to be working...it's very frustrating

Member Avatar for jbennet

try butning a music cd through the burn tab in windows media player and see if that works

Member Avatar for robyngar

i've tried that too....i give up

Member Avatar for chagass36

Robyngar, when the problem started?
My english is terrible :) (by google)

You tried to make a restoration of the system?

Member Avatar for vigneshvh

i hope u r cd drive is working as usual while reading dc or dvd but u r cd drive is not detecting a plane cd to burn,ie u r cd writer is not working in u r cd writer.please show this to a computer servicing center,

commented: please dont use "u" and "r" - "leet speek" is against the rules -4
Member Avatar for vigneshvh

from my previous answer i want to edit more and that is there is one more thing to check and that is wether your cd writer softewere like nero or alcohol is working or not i can also cause such problems,co before showing it to service engineer please chesk it also
tanku

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