W3J Cd Drive Problem

my cd drive stopped working a few days ago and doesnt read and disks properly. I tried to burn something on nero and around 6% it fails and gives me an error message about "power calibration error". I know i havent changed any settings and it was working fine before. Anyone know what the issue is or what to do?

 

well u need to test it with some other software too before you can diagnose it as a dvd drive problem. Try burning a cd/dvd with some other software like windows media player.

 

As far as writing goes, generally power calibration error is a hardware problem.

BUT, this isn't to say that a software issue isn't causing your hardware problem. You need to test it with a known good reference outside of the OS.

The best thing to do to test reading is to take your ASUS Windows Restore disks and use them JUST TO SEE IF IT CAN BOOT off of it. If it doesn't, the drive is definitely bad. If it does, then the reading problem might be caused by the type of disk (even if you buy the same brand of disks, it might be a different batch that isn't as compatible) or some software installed interfering with it.

 

Also make sure that CD the drive is not loose.

 

If you don't mind checking what drive you have? Go to device Manager it will state in there.

So you are able to read some CD/DVDs? But can't burn? Try different programs like Nero, EasyCD Creator, and try different brands of CDs/DVDs.

Also try what AlexF suggested.

Other than that, yes you will have to RMA it, send it back to Asus, and be specific, stating you will need a new optical drive.

 

If its just burning... try disabling IMAPI CD burning service under Control panel > Admin tools > Services.

I had this power calibration problem one day outta the blue when using nero, did some google'in and thats a solution someone suggested. Worked for me.

 

You know, I have been having this exact problem with Nero the last couple of weeks! Sometimes it would not burn, sometimes it does, and when it does, I stick the DVD/CD back in the drive and Windows states its blank, when clearly you can see on the back that it has been written on. All becoming coasters, as it is not readable in any other computer as well. I will give your suggestion a try. Will report back later. Thanks

 

My cd drive is : DG1917Q ZGE852W SCSI CdRom Devide
and TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-L632D
Ive tried most of the suggestions : Disabling the IMAPI CD didnt help -
Boot disks and regular program cds work but it for some reason the DVDR cds dont work. The 2 brands I use have been working before and I dont think its a bad batch as I tested burning on another computer. Also I tried DVDR cds which were already burned and the cd drive couldnt read them either. The drive spins and speeds up for about 3 seconds before it dies down and tries to restart and it continues this loop with no avail.

 

Erm... burning on another computer won't help if we're testing media, because it's something that is related to the laptop burner and the media, not whether if the media is scrap . The TSST drives have always had less than fantastic media compatibility.

My Z63A (which is the barebones version of the W3A, which is one of the predecessors of the W3J) has a TSST drive and I found that it reads things just fine, but depending on the manufacturer of the disk, it typically struggles.

It's kinda funny, but I just noticed that I have the exact same model in my V1J that you have there.

Try to get a Verbatim CD-R or DVD-R and burn it at the slowest speed possible. If it can't, then I would send it back for RMA.

Do you burn DVDs often? Laptop DVD burners aren't as solid or durable as desktop ones, so if you burn a lot of disks, it might not last very long. I usually do any sort of bulk burning with an external enclosure with a desktop burner (desktop drives usually better media compatibility). If you do, you might want to consider one.

 

if i do RMA it, do you know if I have to return the whole laptop or do you think I can just detach the drive for them to look at; cuz not having my laptop for a few weeks is gonna be a pain. Also does anyone know if there are any replacement drives which are purchaseable and what the cost might be?

 

I would assume you could just rma the drive instead of returning the whole laptop. That would seem to me to be a a user replaceable item. Like the keyboard.

Others might want to weigh in though as I have only rma'ed a hard drive. They did let me just send the drive instead of the whole laptop. Its a lot easier than being without your laptop for a set period of time. Please let me know what they say if you contact them.

Good luck!