I had to install a new HDD on an older Dell Dimension 4100. The CD-RW is the Memorex 40MAXX 1248AJ internal (not USB). Before the new install of the HDD & OS, this drive would read and write CDs. Now, after the install, it will only read CDs. It appears to have a generic Microsoft driver loaded. I have upgraded the firmware to ZWS4, but I just can not find a driver for the drive itself so I can burn CDs again! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Support Information:
Device Type: CD / DVD
Manufacturer: Memorex
Model: 40MAXX 1248AJ CD-RW
Interface: IDE
Operating System: Windows 2000 Workstation
Age of Device: < 2 years old
FCCID:

Type of drive: cd-rw, cd-rom (rewriter &amp; reader)
Location: internal
What recording software are you using?: Easy Cd Creator/version

Find it on DriverGuide (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=srch&sm=b&aax=&qa6=650&qa5=3&qa7=1700&dp=2&qm0=40MAXX+1248AJ+CD-RW&jmd=and&fzz=d) | Find it with Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Memorex+CD+%2F+DVD++40MAXX+1248AJ+CD-RW+Windows+2000+Workstation+) | Research manufacturer Memorex (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=getinfo&companyid=650)

Driver is provided by the OS so no other driver is required. Windows 2000 does not provide any burning support so you will need to install a compatible 3rd. party recording application like Easy Cd Burner or Nero.

Hi Ken, Thanks for your reply. I thought so, but, now I'm confused. I reinstalled the original software that they were using (Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4) and it won't burn any disks - it tells me "There are no supported CD-Recorders available. Ensure that your CD-recorder is powered on and that all cables are properly connected." Well, I haven't changed any cables on that, all I did was upgrade the firmware from ZWS1 to ZWS4 - do you think that's my problem? Thanks very much for your help!

Update: I just installed Burn & Go, to see what would happen. I got an error message "Hotburn did not detect a CD-R/RW in your system......ensure that your drive is properly connected and configured" - so, do you think I need to do some cable changes? even though I never changed the cables to begin with? How strange.

i'm not Ken but thanks anyhow. Easy CD Creator 4 is not compatible with Windows 2000 OS. You must have at least v5.x to work in the newer os. Burn & Go I have no experience with so can't advise you there.

If your reading disks ok but not able to burn, then your problem is the burning software. If you have a cable problem, it would not read disks as it does.

I am SO SORRY Jerry - [Ken - where did that come from?] Can you tell I'm losing it? LOL This burn & go says it's good for Win2k on the box. I am at a loss (and almost at my wits end!) I can't figure it out - why the owners of this system could burn before I worked on the computer and now I can't get it to burn, only read. Is it possible that the cables could have something to do with it? Even Memorex say the drivers are in the OS and it should work.

Windows 2000 can/will only provide support for reading disks. All support for burning depends solely on the burning software. What software/version did the owners use to previously burn with? If it's the same as you're now using, then it should work now. Why it doesn't is a mystery but I do know that Easy Cd Creator v4.x will not work with Windows 2K or Windows XP.

Try visiting www.thehotzone.org. They might have something that will interest you. You must register (it's free) before you can read anything beyond the Guest section.

Well, I have a printout of the software previously installed before I changed the HDD and it said Roxio Direct CD v5.1.1.210 and Roxio Easy CD Creator v5.1.1.104. But the Burn & Go I also installed says on the box it supports W2k. I thought perhaps I needed to enable DMA for the CD drive, but when I went into Disk Management, I couldn't find that option anywhere.

Thanks for your help. I'll have a look at thehotzone. If you think of anything else I can check, please let me know.

You won't find DMA settings in Disk Management. Try Device Manager, IDE ATA/Atapi Controllers, double-click Primary IDE Channel, Advanced Settings, make sure "DMA if available" is selected. Let me know if this helps.

p.s. enabled "DMA if available" for all IDE/ATAPI devices - still no luck.:zombie:

I'd suggest to test the drive in another machine or take it to a repair shop and have them test it. Then you will know where the problem lies.

Hi Jerry. Here's an update:
Well, turns out the Burn & Go was NOT for W2k...my mistake...better get my glasses fixed...LOL

I know the drive was writing because I made a "driver backup" disk before I removed the old HDD. They found the original software - Roxio v5 from Memorex - so I installed it. Upon opening the program I received an error "Easy CD Creator Engine initialization has failed: (could not load CDR4).
Then, the program continued to open. I selected make data disk, and dragged a folder into the window to be burned. When I clicked record here is the error I got: "There are no supported CD-Recorders available. Ensure that your CD-Recorder is powered on and that all cables are properly connected. You may also need to update Easy CD Creator to recognize your CD-Recorder. To update select....blah blah...."

Okay, I know this software supports the CD-RW because it came with the thing and it has Memorex on the disk! So, it got me to thinking about a PCI device in device manager that had a bang on it. Until now, I hadn't been able to figure out what it was, except that I knew it was with 0/31/3 function. So, I ran Everest Home Edition and finally was able to identify this as the Intel 82801BA ICH2-SMBus Controller. Upon matching the original Belarc advisor printout to the current one, I saw that this driver was currently missing. Of course, it was never backed up by Driver Magician Lite, as it wasn't necessary - it's part of the OS. Well, I installed the 82801BA controller. I really thought there would be a relationship between these two problems. Unfortunately, I am still getting the same errors from Easy CD Creator.

My next step will be to shut the computer down, reseat the connectors on the CD-RW drive and see if that and the reboot make any difference.

Well, sorry to be so long-winded. If you have anything else to suggest based on this "revelation", please let me know! Thanks much.