Thinkpads Forum

When I first got my z60t I reformated and clean installed windows (not the restore) and installed all the drivers I could find.

The problem im encountering is that when I insert a Blank CD-R into the drive sometimes it reconizes it and sometimes it doesn't. Im wondering if it has to do with not using the IBM original factory windows and software or if its just the burner.

The burner reconizes everything else just fine (including data cd-r, audio cd-r and all dvd's). I have the DLA program installed also.

Im contemplating whether to go back to the factory settings or to continued with my clean installation.

THANKS!

While you could have a hardware problem with the optical drive, I suspect that your problem might just be the manufacturer or brand of blank CD's that you are using. I have a desktop PC with a Plextor CD/RW drive that is highly rated. I had problems with certain CD's from Verbatim made in India. Other CD's from Verbatim made in Taiwan worked great.

Here are a couple of guides I ran across lately: CD Media Guide 1 | CD Media Guide 2

riceboy54 wrote:When I first got my z60t I reformated and clean installed windows (not the restore) and installed all the drivers I could find.

The problem im encountering is that when I insert a Blank CD-R into the drive sometimes it reconizes it and sometimes it doesn't. Im wondering if it has to do with not using the IBM original factory windows and software or if its just the burner.

The burner reconizes everything else just fine (including data cd-r, audio cd-r and all dvd's). I have the DLA program installed also.

Im contemplating whether to go back to the factory settings or to continued with my clean installation.

THANKS!

When this happeneds to me I get my lens cleaner along with the cleaning cloth that I use for my glasses and clean the disk, sometimes I also have to reorient the disk on the drive and make sure its pressed down compleatly all the way around on the drive hub.

I tried cleaning it and using another cd-r and it does the same thing. What happens is it gives the sound of the spining up then it sounds like it looking for something then stops. This repeats about 5-6 times before giving up.

Whats weird is that it reads those same brands if the cd has been burned already. It only has problem with blanks.

Im going to try to restore back to the factory state. Does anyone know if the factory restore deletes partitions I created (example, C: has windows and D: has my files. Will it delete D as well?)

Thanks for the help

riceboy54 wrote:Im going to try to restore back to the factory state. Does anyone know if the factory restore deletes partitions I created (example, C: has windows and D: has my files. Will it delete D as well?)

Thanks for the help

Yes it does. You'll end up with one C: drive and all existing files gone.

ok wow, you just saved my life

time to go out and buy an external enclosure

Thanks!!

Couple of things to look at ... my T43 uses a Sonic DLA driver, and advises to DISABLE the default Windows one. Using both can cause ... problems. Make sure you're using the one or the other.

Also, if Autoplay is enabled, try inserting the disc with the SHIFT key pressed, to temporarily disable Autoplay. If this prevents the endless spinning-spinning-spinning, then try using the popup menu to format it, or drop files to it, or even use Media Player to burn a CD of music that you are licensed to use. Just as a test mind you.

I have the same problem with 5" CD-RW discs ... I can boot from a burned one, but a blank one just spins an eternity. I think I DID manage to get one burned and written to, and I think I did some variation of the above trick. Give it a try and let us know....