Vista DVD Burning Problems

Vista is one of the newest editions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. For those who are upgrading from previous versions, such as XP, you may find certain programs and hardware are not functioning properly. This can be the case the DVD burners installed on the computer.

For some DVD burners you can only use specific writable DVDs. There are primarily three different kinds of burners. DVD+R, DVD-R, and a combination of the two. DVD+R drives can only use DVD+R disks, while DVD-R can only use DVD-R disks. Attempting to use the a disk from the other drive will not work, not matter what you try to do. The only way your drive can use both disks is if it is a plus and minus DVD drive. The drive will state what kind it is on the front of the tray.

There are many external DVD drives which you can purchase. This means the drive isn't installed on the inside of the computer. It also means you move the drive from computer to computer. However, you will need to make sure the drive is properly connected. If it is not it will not be detected by the computer, which means the drive will not be usable.

Insert the power cord into the back of the DVD drive. Plug it into a wall outlet but don't power the drive on yet. Now connect the drive to the computer using the USB cable. This can be done by plugging the cord into the DVD drive's USB port (found on the rear of the device), and insert the other end into an available USB port on the computer. Make sure both connections are fit snugly into their ports. Now power on the DVD drive (the switch is also usually on the back side of the drive). In a moment you will be told of the computer detecting the DVD drive.

If you are using the proper DVD disks in your drive and the external DVD burner is connected properly to the computer, a problem may occur where the driver is not up to date. A drive is an application which lets the computer know how to use the hardware. When the computer was upgraded to Vista, the operating system may not be compatible with the current driver. To correct this issue go to the website of the DVD drive's maker (such as HP, Sony or Dell). When you arrive to the site you will find a link regarding "Downloads and Drivers" (name will change slightly depending on the site you are at). Select this link. A new page will load, from which you need to select the kind of device your looking for updates for (DVD Burner). Once this is selected a new list will appear which shows all the different model numbers. Select the model number of your device and click "OK." A list of all available downloads and updates will be shown. Download and install these one by one, then when you finish, you will be able to use your DVD burner correctly.