Samsung TS-H552B DVD-RW Problems - new problem

**trevethen** · December 28th, 2004, 10:27 AM

This is a similar problem to that posted on here on 10-29-2004.

I had a Samsung TS-H552B DVD-RW as a present from my son. Problem - it will read and write to and from a CD, and will read but NOT write to a DVD.

We have downloaded all updates for the Samsung to no avail.

The DVD-RW will show the size of a CD or a pre-recorded DVD, but will not show the size of an un-recorded DVD. Hence, it will not write to a DVD.

The settings for the new DVD-RW are the same as for the CD-RW, MA (Master).
The BIOS has not been altered either.

I have a "Tiny", Pentium 3, computer with 128 + 256KB RAM, 20GB HD with 3GB space, 3.5" Floppy Drive. I am running with MS-XP (SP2).
Without opening the computer, I cannot give any info on the motherboard, etc.

All other programs and systems appear to run normally with the exception of the DVD-RW.

All help would be gratefully received, as I want to copy GB's of photos onto a DVD in preference to numerous CD's.

regards,
Philip.

**CeeBee** · December 28th, 2004, 02:15 PM

What application are you using for dvd writing?

**trevethen** · December 29th, 2004, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by CeeBee

What application are you using for dvd writing?

I'm only using the MS burning software that is part of Windows XP SP2.

regards,
Philip

**Archer** · December 29th, 2004, 07:16 AM

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ [Freeware]

**confus-ed** · December 29th, 2004, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by trevethen

Samsung TS-H552B DVD-RW .

So as nobody said 'why' - you want to try something else other than the built in service in xp which is just for CD burning - .. I will

.. oh I just did !

Description of CD-ROM recording in Windows XP refers

So the long & the short of it is, buy some/find some DVD recording software ! Nero is the defacto standard & used by lots of folks (generally you get recording software if you buy retail 'bundled' not so with cheaper OEM purchases, then you need your own

) & its certainly worth a try if only to 'test'

**CeeBee** · December 29th, 2004, 08:16 AM

I believe Samsung drives come bundled with Nero.. try using it.

**trevethen** · December 29th, 2004, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by CeeBee

I believe Samsung drives come bundled with Nero.. try using it.

Thanks to all for your replies and help. I now have it working, but I will explain how.

As this DVD-RW was OEM, there was no software with it.

I now know that MS XP sp2 will not write to a DVD.

I also contacted Samsung, and this is their reply :-
"The minimum requirements are a Pentium IV 700Mhz with 256RAM !
WE even recommend to uses the drive in combination with a Pentium IV 2Ghz 256 RAM memory. Based on your system information it is not very likely your drive will perform (well). Please try your drive on a PC thatmeets the suggested requirements."

My Pentium 3 runs at 450MHz.

Another suggestion was to download a burning program such as Nero, or
Freeware. As a start, I went with freeware and downloaded "Burn4Free CD & DVD 1.0.5" from www.download.com, and was able to burn my DVD with no problems.

So, all ends well. Many thanks. I will be buying a proper burning program such as Nero.

**maj2k5** · January 8th, 2005, 04:53 PM

hi i have the same problem can you tell me how did you get it to work i can't read blank disc.

**Archer** · January 8th, 2005, 05:19 PM

Hi maj2k5 you might be better starting a new thread listing a detailed description of your problem along with you hardware to save confusion.

**trevethen** · January 9th, 2005, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by maj2k5

hi i have the same problem can you tell me how did you get it to work i can't read blank disc.

"Confus-ed" said "the built in service in xp which is just for CD burning".

It would write to CD but would not read or write to DVD.

I downloaded "Burn4Free CD & DVD 1.0.5" from www.download.com, and the Samsung burner worked OK. Since then I have put Nero on the computer, but as yet have not used it.

A reply came back from Samsung themselves, that said, and I quote "The minimum requirements are a Pentium IV 700Mhz with 256RAM !
WE even recommend to uses the drive in combination with a Pentium IV 2Ghz 256 RAM memory. Based on your system information it is not very likely your drive will perform (well). Please try your drive on a PC thatmeets the suggested requirements."
It is working well at 450MHz.

regards,
Philip.

**maj2k5** · January 9th, 2005, 08:18 AM

hi i have used nero and burn4free but when it has done burning the disc, the disc still is blank?? i have a 600mhz computerbut with 64mb ram.

**confus-ed** · January 9th, 2005, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by maj2k5

hi i have used nero and burn4free but when it has done burning the disc, the disc still is blank?? i have a 600mhz computerbut with 64mb ram.

Mmm you know that bit archer said about 'detailed' ? Well don't ignore that bit like you did the bit that said 'start a new thread' or no-one can tell you why