I recently had some OS problems, which I solved by repairing my Windows XP SP2 installation and now all seems well, except for writing via my DVDRW drive. It worked faultlessly before, but now I can't get it to write using any software.

Within "My Computer", the drive shows as "DVD-RAM Drive (E" while no volume is inserted, as it should. However, when I insert a blank DVD+R or even a blank DVD-R, the drive lists as "CD Drive (E" instead and will not let me access the volume, reporting "E:\ is not accessible. Incorrect funtion."

The drive is a Sony DVD RW DW-G120A and I am unable to write to it both with Windows own DVD write app. and also with other software (The main one I use is "VSO ConvertX to DVD"). Drivers for the drive are Windows standard (I contacted Sony, who confirmed that no other driver version is available or necessary) and I've tried disabling the drive via device manager and letting Windows reintroduce it through "Find new hardware", to no avail.
I'm sure that the problem was caused during the Windows repair, but I have no idea how to correct it.

Any help would be good.

Many thanks...

Anyone? I could really use some help...

Hi betterspud. Sorry it took time for someone to get back to you.

Can you check something for me, it's probably not going to help any, but worth a check.

Goto your Device Manager -> IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers -> and gotot he Properties of both Primary and Secondary IDE Channel -> Advanced Settings -> make sure DMA if available is selected in Transfer Mode (both times).

@GaRHaR

Have checked IDE Channel properties and both Primary and Secondary are indeed set to "DMA if available" for both device 0 & 1 on each. Autodetection has then set transfer mode accordingly.

Anything further that you can suggest will be gratefully received...

One thing you can try - this worked for someone else, but if it doesn't - then i'm completely out of ideas.

Start -> Run -> services.msc
Scroll down until you find IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Double click on it, change Startup type to Disabled and Stop the service.

You may have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.


What this does, is disable the Windows XP Burning features that it has (and imho is worth nothing more then the delete and throw in the eternal fires of the afterlife).

Tried it, but still no joy...

Does this mean that it could be a physical hardware fault? It seems conincidental that it happened during the OS problems I had.

It's driving me insane. I can't understand why it functions perfectly fine when playing a DVD or CD, but won't write...