Hi, T. It may be the drive, but if so, I'm not sure if getting a new
one from Dell will fix it. To clarify my problem:
* My Dell Inspiron 7500 laptop will not read the Mandrake 9.0 ISOs I
have created.
* The same CDs work fine on other machines (like my desktop).
* My laptop has not had any issues with previous Mandrake ISOs, only
9.0.
* My laptop can read most 80min cd's (e.g. if I burn a cd with some
data files), just not the Mandrake ISOs.
Some troubleshooting attempts I have made:
Different 80min media (Iomega, etc.)
Using Gtoaster and cdrecord at different speeds
Using the '-dao' option in cdrecord
If, as may be the case, my laptop drive simply can not read an 80 min cd
loaded as full as the Mandrake ones are, what can I do? I have already
requested a replacement drive from Dell. It should be arriving shortly
(my hope is that a newer drive version will have more compatability).
If that doesn't work, then what?
I would very much prefer not to install from the hard drive. I feel a
little frustrated having recently paid my Mandrake dues for a product I
can't use. In the early beta phase I suggested a different ISO be made
available for people having trouble, and I still think this is a good
idea. I'm sure I'll work this out with the help of the list, and I
appreciate your reply, T.
- Paul
On Sun, 2002-09-29 at 19:05, Technoslick wrote:
> I see that your Dell Inspiron 7500 either has a CD-ROM/Floppy Drive or
> DVD-ROM/Floppy Dive unit in the Media Bay. Assuming that I understand
> correctly: 1) your CD-ROM (or DVD-ROM) drive is able to read
> commercially produced CDs flawlessly; 2) you aren't specifically
> speaking of being able to boot off those CD-Rs when you say "not
> readable"; 3) and you can read CD-Rs produced on other than your Linux
> PC --- It sounds like the problem lies exclusively in your Dell.
>
> Older CD-ROMs could not read the surfaces of CD-Rs due to the lighter
> burn temp and impressions made with a CD-R drive. That was pre-12X days.
> I have a 24X Toshiba that will sit there and churn for the better part
> of a minute trying to make sense of a CD-R, then quit. It would be an
> unexpected surprise for a modern laptop to have a CD-ROM drive (I won't
> even entertain a DVD-ROM drive incapable of seeing a CD-R!) that was
> blind in this area.
>
> I think the key to understanding what's happening is in having you
> better define what it is that your Dell's ROM drive *can* and *cannot
> do*. If you can say that you have tried burns off of other PCs (owned or
> unowned), and commercial CDs, too, and they all work in your Dell,
> PLUS...the burns off your Linux box are readable in other PCs (non-Linux
> ones, too)...as a professional troubleshooter, I would start to look at
> your Dell as the sole source of the problem. If your laptop is still
> under warranty, call Dell and ask them if there is a known issue with
> the particular combo drive that you have on your computer. Check their
> support site (http://support.dell.com/), login with your account (if you
> have one), create one, or use your computers Service Tag number to get
> to the info specific to your machine. Then look in the downloads area
> for patches or driver upgrades. You could have an earlier production
> combo unit with a sensitivity to CD-Rs produced by certain CD-RWs, or
> its plain buggy and needs a TLC patch. :-)
>
> Please remember that all this I have said here is under the assumption
> that you are only speaking about the inability to *read* any CDs on your
> Dell laptop that were burned exclusively on your Linux box.
>
> Good Luck, Paul. I hope you find your answer...
>
> T
>
>
> Paul Rodriguez wrote:
> >
> > I have attempted to burn the Mandrake 9.0 ISOs several times. In all
> > occasions, the CD was not readable on my Dell Inspiron 7500 laptop. The
> > CD did, however, work on my desktop. When I put the CD in the laptop
> > tray, it seeks for approximately 15 seconds before giving up. I have
> > tried different CD media. I have tried using Gtoaster and cdrecord. I
> > have tried changing the writing speed. I have tried using the "-dao"
> > option in cdrecord. But nothing seems to make these CDs readable on my
> > laptop. Please help.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft?
> > Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
>
>
>
>
> ----
>
> Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft?
> Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft?
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
