My Compaq Presario R3250EA laptop/notebook PC runs Windows XP Home Edition fully updated to the SP3 service pack and subsequent updates. The computer has a Toshiba SD-R6252 1a11 DVD writer. I have discovered that when I try using no-brand DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs that I purchased from a supermarket (the packaging has the supermarket's name on it), the DVD writer refuses to burn to them using Nero Express. It ejects them with a message to use a writeable disc. However, it will burn to Verbatim, Imation, Memorex, and Maxell discs. Can you please tell me if there is a way to fix this problem?

Answer

I have come across the reverse problem to yours in which a DVD writer refuses to burn to brand-name discs but will burn to no-brand discs. It is unusual but it can happen. DVD writers can be fussy about the brands they accept, but it's usually the cheaper discs that have no printed name on them that they don't like.

The problem could be caused by a faulty drive, but the cause is more likely to be outdated firmware installed in the drive.

During their manufacture DVD writers are programmed with a firmware database that contains the names of supported brands of disc. Firmware is software code that is permanently stored on a EEPROM flash-memory chip. CD/DVD drive/writer manufacturers often update the firmware in order to fix compatibility issues of this kind.

The Toshiba SD-R6252 DVD writer was only supplied to HP/Compaq, so Toshiba doesn't supply firmware for it. However, the support section of the HP site lists firmware updates for three different DVD/CD combo drives that were fitted to your notebook computer's model.

There is a firmware update for your model with a version number 1A14 called Softpaq 28709, which can be downloaded directly by clicking on ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp28501-29000/sp28709.exe. (Remember that you should always scan a downloaded file with a virus scanner, which is usually done by right-clicking with the mouse pointer on the file and choosing the scan option - if you have a virus scanner installed, which,of course, you should have.) The firmware update is fairly old, but it recognises more brands of disc that the drive's original firmware. All you have to do is install it by clicking on the downloaded file.

Note well that only firmware that is created for a specific make/model of drive should be installed, because if the wrong firmware is installed the drive can be destroyed.

If your have some other make/model of DVD writer, you should look at its manufacturer's or the PC's manufacturer's website for a firmware update.

The procedure is the same if you have any other make/model of DVD writer.

Computer diagnostics: How to solve or fix common desktop and laptop PC problems

To diagnose and troubleshoot specific and general problems with Microsoft's software (Windows 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express) using the MS Knowledge Base, visit the Diagnostics page on this site.

Click a relevant link below to visit the information it describes on this website:

1. - Recovering and repairing Windows XP when a computer crashes or fails to boot

2. - Recovering and repairing Windows Vista when a computer crashes or fails to boot

3. - Windows Vista problems: How to fix problems with Windows Vista

4. - Recover, restore and repair Windows 7 (Win7) when a computer crashes or fails to boot

5. - Windows 7 problems: How to diagnose and fix problems with Windows 7

6. - Windows XP: How to troubleshoot and fix shutdown, restart (reboot), and startup problems

7. - Typical DLL (Dynamic Link Library) device driver problems

8. - Software problems: How to fix problems with Windows, programs, and utilities

Also visit the Software pages on this site for more information on specific software-related information and problems.

9. - Motherboard and power supply problems: How to fix common problems with faulty motherboards (mainboards) and power supplies (PSUs)

10. - RAM memory problems: How to fix problems with the Random Access Memory

11. - Hard disk drive problems: How to fix computer hard disk drive (HDD) problems

12. - CD/DVD drive problems: How to fix problems with CD and DVD drives and discs

13. - Processor problems: How fix common processor (CPU) problems

14. - Video/graphics card problems: How fix common computer video and graphics problems

15. - USB and FireWire problems: - How to fix common USB and FireWire problems

16. - Network problems: How to fix common wired and wireless networking and internet problems

17. - Laptop/notebook problems: How to address or fix the most common laptop/notebook problems

How to fix problems with device drivers in Windows XP and Windows Vista and Windows 7

Although the information on the following page is specific to Windows XP, much of the advice is relevant to the earlier versions of Windows. Click here! to read Troubleshoot Device Driver Problems. Click h ere! to go to Tips for fixing common driver problems in Windows Vista. Those tips should also be applicable to Windows 7.

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Visit the Build a PC page for information on how to build a desktop PC and solve self-build problems, and visit the other pages, such as the Video/Graphics, Sound, Motherboards, and Monitors pages for more problem-solving information, all of which can be accessed via the menu items and jump menu on the orange navigation bar, or via the site search engine at the top of each of the main pages.

The Tips & Tricks pages of this site contain additional useful tips, tricks, and problem-solving advice.

The safest way to upgrade RAM memory: Use the UK and US Crucial Memory Advisors

Paul Mullen, who was the highly-respected computer guru of the Helpfile at ComputerShopper.co.uk - "I have recently been buying my memory only from Crucial Technology. I would rather pay the extra cost than waste time trying to track down the obscure program faults that bad memory can cause."

The best way to choose RAM memory for a brand-name desktop or laptop computer, or memory for a particular make/model of PC motherboard is to make use of the Crucial Memory Advisors (provided under the brief guideline on the minimum memory requirements for Windws XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). If the Crucial memory you receive does not work, you are guaranteed a refund and standard shipping is free.

The memory requirements of the versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7

Most of the versions of Windows Vista require more RAM memory to run optimally on a computer that doesn't use memory-hungry applications than Windows XP. A video-editing application is an example of memory-intensive software. Only Windows Vista Home Basic has a recommended minimum amount of memory of 512MB, which is the same amount recommended for Windows XP. Windows Vista Home Premium, the most popular version, and Windows Vista Ultimate require a recommended minimum of 1GB (1024MB) of memory, which is twice the amount of minimum memory recommended to run Windows XP. Note that if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, up to 4.0GB, it requires twice the amount of memory as a 32-bit version, which can only use a maximum of about 3.5GB. For more information on computer memory, read the RAM pages of this site, which includes information on the lower memory requirements of Windows 7.

UK - Crucial Memory Advisor - UK

USA - Crucial Memory Advisor - USA

How to Use the Crucial Memory Advisor

For example, if your computer has an Asus motherboard, open the menu, scroll down to ASUS, and click GO. If, say, you have a Dell computer, scroll down to DELL, and do likewise. You will be taken to the relevant information on Crucial's website.

If you don't know the make and model of the motherboard installed in your computer, here is a good free utility - Belarc Advisor - that creates an analysis of the hardware and software on a personal computer. Look under FREE DOWNLOAD - http://www.belarc.com/. Another utility that also provides detailed information on the memory itself is CPU-Z.

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