Using Fujifilm Photo Discs

[Dick]

I have tried to record to a Fujifilm PhotoDisc CD-R 700mb using the Roxio System and 'SEND TO CD DRIVE' method.
Both set up well but reject the disc as unsuitable ('Please insert a blank disc')
I have had no trouble using other makes of CD-Rs. Has anyone met this problem before, please?
And if so, how can one get over it?

[Jon]

Sorry - only just saw this.

Is this with any Fuji Photodisc? What make is your CD burner (see Device Manager)? Have you checked the manufacturer's website for their recommended discs? Which version of Roxio (which stands along with Sony and Symantec in my Computer Hall of Shame)?

Only time I've seen this is with a defective CD, and I haven't burned very many coasters at all in the last several years.

[falkirk]

I used these discs yesterday to renew my back up of all photos using Google's  Picasa 2 system and all seems well. I hope my experience helps to eliminate the problem.

[Dick]

Thank you, Jon, for your reply. I have been on holiday for 2 weeks but your reply inspired me to have another go!
Using the CD Writing Wizard I burnt successfully to a Packard Bell CD-R. I tried again with 2 more Fujifilm PhotoDisc CD-R (Lifetime Guarantee, Ultra-Violet Shield!) but no success. The message was 'Insert a Suitable blank disc' so it obviously didn't recognise the one inserted.
There was no other information except to advise one to 'check compatibilty with the manufacturer of your recorder'.
The Roxio is Easy CD Creator 5 which I know is outdated but I haven't updated it because of reports on this Forum - and because I haven't needed to as the CD Writing Wizard worked if the Roxio didn't.
Under Device manager I found  DVD/CD-ROM....NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A.

 Thanks, Falkirk - I haven't heard of Google's Picasa 2 System before. Free? How do I locate it? And did it work for you with Fuji Photo Discs?

Your help is appreciated.

[falkirk]

Dick: Find Picasa on http://picasa.google.co.uk
I find it gives me all I require. I used Fujifilm Photo disc cd-r and the backup went smoothly so it might be worth a try.

[Jon]

Bingo! The Dell USA support site has a new firmware for the ND-1100 which

1) Improves writability of black CD-R media
2) Improves readability and writability of DVD+RW media

You'll need to create an account with Dell support, then search for downloads and drivers for the Dell Dimension 2400. Look under "Removable Media Storage Devices". Note: they also have a Roxio patch to version 5.3.4 if you're not up to that particular level ("Patches and Fixes").

If you choose to go that route, you can download the updater application and be very careful to follow the directions explicitly. Alternatively, you can either replace the drive (a possible end result of a failed firmware update in any event) or swap the discs with someone whose drive will read them.

Optical drives are tested on the media avcailable at the time of release; media released subsequent to that (such as the Fuji PhotoDisc and other black substrate media) may not work well, or at all. And what works in one model drive won't necessarily work in another. Short of a compatibility list (which NEC USA has lost in a site reorganization, but NEC UK doesn't even list the ND-1100), there's no way of being sure a given brand name will work. And "house brands" may actually be made by ['i]any[/i] manufacturer, so you may get different results from spindle to spindle.

[Dick]

Thanks for the Picasa site, Falkirk. I will look further into this and try it out to see if it solves my problem and doesn't interfere with my Camedia programme.
Thanks, Jon. A lot of info here but I am always hesitant when you say 'follow instructions explicitly' - I often meet terms which I don't really understand! We shall see.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Jon]

Read, ask here, repeat as needed. That's doctor's orders (or shampooing directions, one or the other).