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I'm using Windows XP Pro...SP3......everything up-to-date. I was on holiday for a week, came back to find that the first few CDs I burned in WaveLab, would not PLAY on any CD player. I'm using the same printable White Diamond CDs I've used for years, burning at 32. Tried other speeds to no avail.Tried other files....same result. I was panicking 'cos I needed some in a hurry....(I'm glad to say!)......thought there might be a dodgy batch of CDs.....but it had never happened before. Went to my old "BITSA" PC....exactly the same set up as the main PC.......same files , same discs....burned & played perfectly!
Back to the main PC...checked all the WaveLab settings, were the same on both PCs. Created a new instance of the file.....burned......played in Media Player, but would not play on ANY CD player!
Uninstalled & re-installed WaveLab....no effect. Installed a different CD burner....CD Burner Xp.......exactly the same results as WaveLab........nothing that would play.
AS a last resort took a "non-printable" TRAXDATA disc,went through exactly the same routine......PLAYABLE CDS!!
With my limited knowledge I'm trying to narrow down where the fault is.....I thought it might be my CD burner on the main PC.....but it burned the TRAXDATA CD with no problem!
ANY advice & help welcomed....We have a big show coming up shortly....and I have recorded a new CD that we hope to sell! I hope someone can help........& I don't know where to go from here!
***Sorry for the long explanation.......I felt it was necessary. PS....No! I had not downloaded any new programmes.....been on holiday! Joe G.

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Just off the top of my head, sounds like you just are burning to redbook specs. I would say check your settings but you have already done that.


Keith
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Quote:

...played in Media Player, but would not play on ANY CD player!
....




Joe,

That sounds like what would happen if you failed to remember to "Finalize" the Audio CD after burning.

Finalize turns it into an AUDIO CD and not a DATA CD.


--Mac

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Hi Mac, No! All were finalized in both WaveLab & CD burner Xp. It's something that I always check. I burn 100's of CDs, that's why I'm totally at a loss to understand why this has happened so suddenly.HHELP!! Joe G.

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Defective CD burner on the main PC? Cable came loose?

Can you swap the burners on your two computers?


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Just a thought Joe, have you got an external cd burner you could try ? Even borrow one ?
Maplin do them pretty cheaply. I had that problem with an old drive years ago and it turned out the drive had gone faulty.

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I have seen burners where the laser output falls off and they no longer burn reliably - can be as simple as a little dirt on the lens...

In this instance I think a good guess might be that the printable disks require a little more energy in the laser to get a good burn than the non-printable ones and that your burner has dropped below this threshold.

Given that you "burn 100's of CDs" it may simply be that the laser LED has deteriorated.


--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya laugh --=--
You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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How to clean the lens on your CD burner:

http://www.howtodothings.com/computers/a3631-how-to-clean-a-cd-rom-drive.html

Inexpensive cleaning kits are generally available in the blank media section of most department stores. They contain a cleaning disk with tiny brushes mounted face-up and diametrically opposed and a small squeeze bottle of cleaning solution. You apply the solution the the brushes and spin up the disk for a few seconds to clean the laser lens. Normally, it's an indication that the lens is failing but it may prolong the life of the laser for a while.

Joe, HTH.

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Don, furry, Matt, Thanks for the help! Lawrie, It looks like you could have picked up on the fault! I borrowed some Tayio Yuden discs from a friend......burned them at the same settings....they were read & played on the CD player. So the laser is a likely culprit.........more money!! Regards, Joe G.

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By all means, try cleaning the laser lens first.

Easy way, pick up a lens cleaning CD (places like Radio Shack, etc.) and follow the directions. This has the advantage of being able to perform the cleaning without any disassembly, simply insert the cleaning disk and run it. Typically these use carbon fiber brushes to clean the lens.

If you don't mind removing the drive and its case covers, you can clean the lens using nothing more than a spot of Windex or equivalent ammonia based window cleaner applied to the head of a cotton swab. Let dry thoroughly, reassemble covers, reinstall drive and test again.


--Mac

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Thanks Mac, I can borrow a lens cleaner, meanwhile I've bought this on ebay.....Samsung SH-S222 Internal DVD±RW SATA Writer O...£11.94.......I hope it pays for itself quickly! Regards, Joe g.

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Samsung cd drive I'd had in the PC for a few years Joe. Been the most reliable I've used yet

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Hi Lawrie, Just an up date........you were right on the ball with your dignosis! No problem with the new DVD burner. And I was able to get the CDs burned for the big show we did last week ...........sold out of my new Ragtime Banjo! CD AND of "THEN & NOW!" with Sally & myself. So again thanks to my Aussie friend! Joe G.

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Thanks for the update Joe. Glad sales are going well for you.


--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya laugh --=--
You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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