Writing DVDs: Problem with Blank DVDs or something else?

I am archiving files to DVD, on Windows 10 & a Lenovo Z51, using an external DVD writer. Windows is up to date. My laptop shows the DVD writer in Device Manager & Disk Manager. However, it doesn't show-up as a drive in Windows Explorer or Imgburn.

I am using 5 year old Verbatim DVD -Rs. I've not had problems with them before. I have tried using several different DVDs from the spindle - no difference. Other things I've tried:

• I can play a movie on DVD without a problem.
• A DVD that I recorded myself a couple of years ago shows up fine.
• Changing the drive letter.
• Using an old DVD writer - I get the same problem.
• Uninstalling & reinstalling the drivers from within Device Manager.
• I've tried editing the registry as per various support articles. However, I can't see the Upper / Lower Registry limits that some support articles mention.
• Another laptop and I get exactly the same problem.

I've come to the conclusion that the most likely culprit is the DVDs. Is that likely?

What software are you using? I use an external DVD-ROM on one of my machines and use this.

CDBurnerXP: Free CD and DVD burning software

Let me know if that helps.

Hi there

@Jedzi

I'd 100% advise AGAINST using DVD's for backing up / archiving things -- get a cheap large USB passport portable self powered external USB device -- you can get cheap ones -- even 4TB ones don't cost the earth, backups more reliable and infinitely faster.

Also you can archive old Movie etc DVD's as iso's using things like AnyDVD -- VLC / KODI etc plays iso's directly (including menu's etc).

If I ever get any DVD's I always make an iso copy and archive it. Plays brilliantly on external TV via KODI on an amazon firestick box.

Cheers
jimbo

All your points indicate a bad batch of DVD-R discs. So buy a different brand, maybe try DVD+RW. Intentionally I buy different Brands.

Also clean the DVD drive optics very carefully. Those with the optics in the disc tray pick up a lot of dust. Affects the write reliability.

I have many boxes of Verbatim DVD+RW and 2 other brands, as far as I know all are OK.

Have had a bad box of CD-RW many years ago, they were branded but I suspect from some grotty production facility and badge engineered, the ATIP info did not match the box details.

"I've tried editing the registry as per various support articles. However, I can't see the Upper / Lower Registry limits that some support articles mention."
They are no longer there. That has been the case for many years.

I have CD-R burned about 19 years old, all are good.

Thanks for all of your responses. As an update:

· I’ve tried CDBurnerXP – no difference.
· For the moment at least, I’m happy to keep using DVDs. I also back up the files to a USB external drive and subscribe to the theory that backups in multiple places / formats are safest.
· I found an old pack of Sony +RW DVDs, including one still in its wrapper. When I tried it – I got exactly the same results; weird if the problem is the DVDs. The odds of having around 15 DVDs, all with the same problem, seems slim.
· Also weird: I plugged the external DVD writer into another laptop and a desktop and got the same results - which suggests it could be the DVD writer.
· I tried an old & slightly unreliable DVD writer with the desktop and the new Sony DVD, which worked.

This points to the new DVD writer being suspect. I've returned it and I've got a new one on the way.

Jedzi