DVD/RW issue & 2nd question about car stereos

[Douglas]

Model is a Lite-On DVD/RW SHW-1635S with the YS0R drivers (which I believe to be the current ones)
Back in the spring or early summer, I updated my computer with WMP 11 which totally fubar'd my ability to burn music with the program. Yeah, its not great, but it suited my purposes. Anyhow, so I started using Nero for data dvd's and started burning coaster after coaster. Or if I did get a dvd burnt, most of the data was corrupted. Didnt know if it was an issue with Nero, the computer or the burner. So I backed up my stuff and formatted the pc (I like to do this every year or 2 anyway to clean the pipes out).
So I reinstall windows (xp home) and I still cant burn dvd's. The drive reads them just fine though. I can load software, play games, listen to music, etc. I just cant burn. So I just figure I need a new drive. Its a low priority, so I havent gotten a new one. I dont burn often and if I do, I go to my sisters with my mini drive and burn there.
So right before christmas, I figure ill try to burn again. I actually wanted to see if I could burn a music cd to listen to christmas music. And the cd burns. So I try a dvd again, and it still has issues. It recognizes that its a dvd in the tray, but in the drive list, it calls it a cd drive and not a dvd drive. So I wonder if its confused as to what is there.
So do I have a bad drive, is windows not seeing it correctly, or any other suggestions? I dont have access to another burner to see if its that unfortunatly. And I dont want to buy a drive and then find out it wasnt the hardware and then I cant return it. Any suggestions?
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Cliff notes: DVD burner not burning DVD's but seems to be ok with cd's. Software or hardware issue? No error codes in the hardware's profile
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Stereo question.
I have a pioneer cd player in my car. Someone tried to steal it once and messed up the detachable face. It still works, but the lcd doesnt show anything. Can I get a face from another of the same make and model and plug it in there, or am I boned and need to replace the whole player? Wasnt sure if face plates and the player were keycoded to each other.

[Dirk]

The first issue

It all could well be that you need new firmware to make things work. search for the make and model in google and add "firmware update "

In microsoft at system , hardware properties , select the burner , go to advanced search for hardware id (should be somewhere) and note what the current firmware is , than look at date and time , select fimware that is newer and is stated to work with your burner install it , close down ther windhose and restart afer a short brake , try to burn a dvd (you must look if the dvd 's you want to use are supported with your burner (google medialist + burner name and type)

Second issue

i am affraid that you have to buy a new player for in the car (have you posted in the what car do we drive in topic from me) because the front unit and the back unit are locked with each other , a new front unit won't work because it has a different code as the unit inside the car

[JPhotoz]

Do you have someone that you can borrow a drive from? Maybe just to try to see if it is the drive being the problem.

Or just buy a new one. Maybe this one Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

$21 free shipping. No Tax here in NY.

I would say that the $21 is the way to go. They are not that expensive anymore since they come out with faster models all the time.

Jordan

[Douglas]

Ill check the firmware. Worst case, I look at getting one of those cheepys from newegg or something.

And thats what I was afraid of with the stereo. Whats the point of a detachable face if it can be used with any other body of that brand. Havent posted in the car thread yet. Car needs a bath & wax job so badly.

[träskmannen]

Have you tried some other DVDs? It could be that you have a batch of crap media.

For the stereo: Contact Pioneer customer support and ask them.

[Douglas]

Yeah. Tried a couple different brands. Going to try and update the firmware/drivers again. In the properties, it keeps referring to the drive as a cd rom in some places and dvd in others. So my computer is confused, it looks like.