Prince

Ok, here's the problem: if I burn a cd-r with hundreds of small files on it, it's usually fine. If I burn a cd with large files on it, from a hundred MB up, about 6 times out of ten I will experience trouble accessing the data later on.

I always have the burner software verify the data after burning. It's always fine. I put the disc in its case and on the shelf for two weeks. Pop it in the drive, it has no scratches, nothing. Try and copy a large file to the HD...

Unable to copy file - Invalid MS-DOS function

I don't understand it. I've tried different media, but I mostly just use Maxell. I've always considered it a trustworthy brand of blank media. I never experienced this with my old computer.

I've tried different burner software, different operating systems...the same deal. Sometimes the burner refuses to stop burning and "hangs". Sometimes it refuses to detect any discs but one during each logon session.

Sure, this could be a bad media problem. But it is happening way too often and particularly with large files for me to quite buy it. I had no such trouble with my old computer and its older burner.

I have Type 3 On-Site Service agreement (2-year optional warranty) bought and paid for, and it expires in August.

I spent an hour and a half on the phone with one of Dell's support technicians. Despite of a sometimes incomprehensible Indian accent, he was quite skilled, and ended up blaming the media.

He'll call again tomorrow. But really, what can I say? Is there a brand of media that I can buy that I could use and prove once and for all that the damn burner does not necessarily burn or access data correctly?

Or am I supposed to believe that every set of 30 Maxell cd-r's has about 12 faulty ones?

So far I see little reason to renew this warranty contract with Dell.

__________________
Who is John Galt?

Redjake

I laughed out loud at that

No offense to outsourcing.

Anyway, I always purchase Memorex CD-Rs. After losing 1 out of 3 CD-Rs after burning them, I only purchase the finest (in my opinion). It sounds like a medium issue to me, as well. If it's not that, I got nothin'.

__________________
Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

WarWagon

Do I what I did with my hard drive if you're under warranty. Say "My CD burner is broken, I would like a new one shipped to me tomorrow." It was a done deal, next day aired to me, and return shipping prepaid by Dell. They have to send you a new one free of charge, as long as the original is returned within X number of days. When I was having troubles ghosting my drive, I also called and said "I'm having difficulties, I need the maximum 5 day return extension." Boom, extended 5 days. Be authorative with those idiots at Dell, or you'll never get anywhere with them.

Prince

Yeap. I always buy Memorex when I buy rewriteables. But even with those the drive has succeeded is ruining several perfectly good and unused CDRW discs beyond undo. I don't know how or why (and no, I don't exceed the media-specific burning speed).

That is what I said, actually, but the technician insisted that we had to complete this "testing procedure". It'll never end, I can already tell.

__________________
Who is John Galt?

kutulu

I always try to be nice, but when things aren't going my way I will regress into being a total asshole. It's sad, but the asshole gets his way more often then the nice guy.

Holo

You might wanna post this at www.cdfreaks.com forum. I would say eliminate the media as well. That way they can't say that. Get like 3 5-packs of other brands and test burn them all. if you get errors then you have more ammo.

__________________
I happen to like the words "fuck", "cock", "pussy", "tits", "cunt", "twat", "shit" and even "bitch". As long as I am not using them to describe you, don't go telling me whether or not I can/should use them...that is, if you want me to continue refraining from using them to describe you. ~Prince

Mister B

I'm suprised they aren't giving you more help with this.

When my dell burner started acting up they had a technician sent to my dorm room 2 days later! He even replaced it with a faster drive. Maybe you aren't being demanding enough or something, but give them hell and you should easily be able to get a new drive.

Are you by chance using Easy CD Creator? If you are, try reinstalling the software with the newest version, or use a different program all together.

__________________
"Little racoons and old possums 'n' stuff all live up in here. They've got to have a little place to sit." Bob Ross.

Prince

I'm using Nero 6. I've experienced the same problem with other software, too, however.

My extended warranty covers on-site repairs, so they are supposed to send a technician over on the next business day, AFTER the support tech on the phone has assessed what the problem is. Considering the sort of problem this is, however, I don't know how well this can be diagnosed.

Still, I'm not going to let this be swept under the carpet.

__________________
Who is John Galt?

kutulu

Start being a major dick to them. Customer service will walk all over you if you let them. Don't let them.

Mister B

Just lie to them about the problems you are having to make it appear that you need a new drive.

Tell them there is a loud clicking sound or something that happens once in a while. Not the most ethical approach, but screw it. You bought the warranty for a reason.

__________________
"Little racoons and old possums 'n' stuff all live up in here. They've got to have a little place to sit." Bob Ross.