[Liberator]

Originally posted by JC Denton
Wait a sec, before the drive began acting up, did you burn those discs off the same spindle you're now using?

Their all from the same 2 spools, I have burned successfully from both spools.

[Liberator]

final update

don't know why the forum has been dead the last couple of hours but the drive just started working again.  Turns out that I hadn't cleaned it as much as I thought I had, the disk only cleans it once and then you have to take it out, put in an entirely different disk, then replace that one with the cleaner disk to clean it a second time.  I think I'm going to try and find my old audio based cleaner, instead of software it uses redbook audio tracks to tell you how to work the disk.

[demon442]

I should think that the answer is obvious, its hit the end of its life.   Take this oportunity to buy that brand new 52x you've had your eye on.

[Liberator]

I figured it was getting close.  What is the average lifespan of a CD-RW drive in terms of disks burned?  I've only done about ~200 since I got the thing.

[Hippo]

Usually more than that...

[Thorn]

If you use it as a CD drive as well it significantly decreases the lifespan.

[Liberator]

I kind of had to after my DVD drive gave up the ghost out of nowhere

[demon442]

Go ahead and invest in a brand new DVD-RW drive as well, then.

But a word of caution with the new 52x burners, if you decide to burn at the full 52x, DO NOT[/i] bump your tower, you will end up with a shattered disk flying out of the front of the drive if not worse.  I suggest keeping it at about 48x, its the best speed for stability.

[Liberator]

Actually, this one is burns at 12x.  You're telling me that there are CD-R drives that can burn a disk at 52x?  I kinda had my eye on a nice Lite-On CD-R/DVD combo drive at Wal-Mart, it's only $50.

[mitac]

Get a DVD writer. Spending 50$ on a combo drive is nonsense, when you can get a DVD writer for little more than 60$.

[Thorn]

Originally posted by Liberator
Actually, this one is burns at 12x.  You're telling me that there are CD-R drives that can burn a disk at 52x?  I kinda had my eye on a nice Lite-On CD-R/DVD combo drive at Wal-Mart, it's only $50.

Mine is a 48x

[Liberator]

Originally posted by mitac
Get a DVD writer. Spending 50$ on a combo drive is nonsense, when you can get a DVD writer for little more than 60$.

Where?  I haven't seen one(from a reputable company like Lite-On) for less than $100 anywhere.  

I'm not sure I want a drive that spins that fast anyway.  I put a 52x on my brothers system and it sounded like a jet spinning up.  I'd be happy with a nice new 32/40x as my current drive reads at 32x.

[mitac]

Well, I could tell you a few shops around here, but that won't help. The flight would cost a lot more.

Personally, I would not go for Lite-On. The only DVD-drive I've ever seen to break down was a Lite-On. Newegg.com got a decent NEC DVD writer for 65$. Though I have no idea on Newegg's quality, you better ask some of the other forumites. It's just the only US based online shop I know.

[Liberator]

When I get some money(and a job:sigh: ), this is second on my list of necessary hardware upgrades.

[Nix]

I got a new Sony DRU-710 from Newegg (LiteOn OEM) that's a +R 16x, -R 8x 48-52X CDR and all the like for 80.  Spend the extra cash and get the DVD burning capability.  If you ever do backups on your system you will benefit from it greatly.

Good luck if you can get the drive and keep it working with just a cleaner disc.  I had to tear mine completely apart and adjust a calibration screw on the base of the laser eye.  After I messed with it, I ressurected it but it's starting to go out after about a year of use after adjustment.  I got fed up with my old burner and was quite sad cause it was a Yamaha F1, the one that did the Disc Tatooing.

[Grey Wolf]

There's another Sony retailing for about $64 at Newegg, OEM w/ software.

[Liberator]

Originally posted by Nix
...cause it was a Yamaha F1, the one that did the Disc Tatooing.

Slick!  Any pics?

[demon442]

Newegg is a very reputable source for hardware, while I have not used them, I have more than one friend that swears by them.

I've never heard of LiteOn, so I can't comment on their quality.  Keep your eyes open for Sony, LG, and the like.  Spending a little extra for a quality drive is well worth the time and effort.

On another note, I reccomend keeping your DVD and CD bruners as seperate drives.  It may cost more, but when you do a lot of disk copying it comes in handy.  That and any DVD drive will spin/read faster than most burners, so things spool off of the CD more quickly.

[Liberator]

I've always read good reports about Lite-On, they have a reasonably large reputation in the budget hardware community.  LG is a relative newcomer to me however, I don't know anything about them.