I'm stumped in this situation I'm in. I posted here because I know there's like 3780108347822.3 million trillion people here that are ueber smart!    
 
Anyway, here's the story...
 
I built this nice computer with using parts from newegg - Vista 64, dual quad core Intel, 4gb memory, geforce 8800gtx on 700PSU. I bought a [url]Asus DVD burner, model DRW-2014L1T http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135156
 
I was always able to read my DVD's, and CD's perfectly. Even rip songs and what-not. I tried writing, and I make coasters if it is too much data. I downloaded the firmware update and the Vista 64 drivers, and still makes coasters out of my DVD and CD's. This is even using Nero, Windows, and WMP.
 
I figured, ok... this thing is FUBAR. I tried to get tech support from Asus, and lo and behold... they hung up on me when I was 20 minutes on hold because they said they were too busy, for me to try again later. =/
I sent in an RMA request twice in 3 weeks, and no response to this day (this was a month ago).
 
I bit the bullet and bought a new DVD write from newegg. This time it was a Samsung SH-S203N. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151154
 
Does the exact same stuff. Reads alright, but doesn't burn worth a crap. I had to just turn off my computer because there was no way to make the whirring stop after I attempted to write a full audio CD (with minutes to spare though). I got up this morning and turned on my computer, and Windows wouldn't boot! I disconnected the drive, and it booted fine. I put it back in, and wouldn't boot again. I put in the Asus drive, and it booted up perfectly!
 
WTF! Did I get ANOTHER piece of garbage device, or is there something severely wrong with my computer? Am I doing something wrong here? Any help is appreciated. I am really stumped!

IMO it's very unlikely that you bought two different burners that can both read but not write. I suspect your hardware is fine, and the problem is somewhere in Vista.  Can you install XP or Win2K or something on a separate partition and try writing from there? Just to check that the drives are OK.
 
 

I agree with what's his face. I also believe the issue lies within vista. Are there any errors within the system/application logs? If there are, can you produce them?
 
check out this link. The fix is for a different issue but i'd try it just to see if it works. Let me know...
 
http://portal.itauth.com/2007/11/2 [...] you-fix-it

Try burning a data CD at low speed.
Try different software like iTunes, Imgburn.

Did you try different types of media, by any chance? For example my Plextor PX-810SA works like a charm at 16x with disks from Memorex, Phillips and Imation, but with Verbatim or FujiFilm it makes coasters if I try to use more than 4x.

The Samsung drive probably is junk - all the ones that came in the Dell's at my work die if they are used any at all. I recommend trying different media as well - no name stuff rarely gives good results.

aevm:
I don't think I'll install anything with XP, I'll probably just use these drives on my XP machine. And you're absolutely right, I think it is highly unlikely that I have a problem with 2 drives.
Also, I didn't try different media, but one of them is samsung, which should be compatible with the samsung burner... ?
 
Twittermando:
Where do I find these logs for Vista?
 
evongugg:
It seems when I try to make it burn, it starts out at a really fast RPM and then slows down. Then it just stops responding. I'll check into that.

What mobo are you using?  Did you apply the chipset drivers?  ...yes, prolly, but just checking.  How's everything look in Device Mangler?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813182101
That is my mobo...
 
I don't think I've applied the chipset drivers. I'll look into that too.
 
 
btw, lol on the "device mangler"!

That could be it.

Right after you install the OS its typically good form, in Windows, to install the mobo's chipset drivers.  Installing them may positively affect your issue.

EDIT:  NICE Motherboard...damn.  However, SuperMicro's website does not seem to have drivers for Vista.  ...makes sense actually since its a server board.  That sux because the Windows chipset drivers are quite important, as you're seeing.

 
That samsung Drive is one of the best you can buy. Stop spreading false crap info.

 
I have the forerunner SH-183L and its worked like a charm, I've burned and lightscribed a plethora of disks with no trouble at all.  That 203N is an upgrade, I've got a feeling it'll work for you well when this issue is resolved.

Good catch Halcyon, but I did actually call tech support for this issue.
 
We / I was able to find it when we looked up the term "7DAL-E" in the search bar.  
He said it was interchangeable with the mobo I have.
 
Anyways, I tried flashing the BIOS but I'm having issues. Maybe this thread could help me figure this out too...
The instructions are to go into the command prompt and type "flash.bat 7dal3208.rom".
I do that, but then it gives me an error for "chkbat" or something like that - that it's not a valid command or something. I don't have a floppy on this PC so I can't use the exe version. I guess I can always take the floppy drive from my other PC...

update:
The new disc burner works fine on my XP machine (d'oh!)... which probably means that the other burner works fine as well.
 
One thing I found funny though, was that it didn't let it boot XP either! I was somehow smart enough to get the fubar disc out of the burner, and it started Winblows perfectly! argh...
 
So now, the problem lies somewhere on my machine. I'm going to try switching SATA cables and ports. Then if that isn't successful, I'm going to have to rip my floppy drive out of my XP machine and slap it into my Vista machine and try to do the BIOS update via that ancient technology.

That would suck, seems like it might be worth it to get one of the $15 USB floppy drives.  ...just for such occasions and when you need to to install RAID drivers, etc.

Dang...
I need some help now. I flashed my BIOS, but my BIOS doesn't recognize my RAID 0 array! Does anyone know anything about how do I go about getting it recognized again??? Dang...

There should be somewhere in your BIOS under (or near) IDE where it allows you to enable/disable RAID.

Well that was a scare... I'm back on the PC again, and I had to do what you said (but I had already done that), but I had to move up the HD in the boot sequence.
 
Anyway, the DVD-burner still isn't working. I've tried everything except for the Vista 64-bit drivers (which you were correct... it doesn't have any! WTF!)...
 
I flashed my BIOS, I changed the cable and the port, I've pretty much done everything I've been asked to do - except for the chipset drivers. F this, I'm going to call those f'ers right now and ask them why in the hell they haven't made any Vista 64 drivers!

Which f'ers? Asus, Samsung, both?

 
I know that's gotta be annoying that there's no Vista64 drivers, however, in their defense...that is a server board, but since they have Win2K and XP there's no reason for them not to have Vista drivers.  Laziness?  You could try installing XP, using their chipset drivers just to see if that affects the issue.  Heck, you could always run XP and use VMWare to virtualize Vista ...but I know that's not your goal.