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XPS 8910, what blank disk should I buy?
XPS 8910
I have an XPS 8910 running Windows 10, Version 22H2. My desktop has the optional DVD/CD-ROM drive, that is what is showing up in the Device Manager.
After hunting on the Dell site I was able to pull up the system configuration, as shown below.
429-ABBB : BDRE Drive (Reads and Writes t o Blu-Ray disks)
| Part Number | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| PVM4X | Blu-Ray Rewritable,6X,Serial Ata,9.5T,BU40N,Hitachi Lg Data Storage | 1 |
Somewhere, I do not recall exactly where, I found this bit of information for my drive DVD+/-RW
I have two very old spindles of discs, one labeled DVD+R and the other DVD-R. Putting them into the drive I received the same message with both:
Windows can't read the disc in Drive F
Make sure the disc uses a format that Windows recognizes. If the disc is unformatted, you need to format it before using it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to create a secondary copy of backups for my critical documents.
Hal
Kflash08
3 Apprentice
3 Apprentice
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554 Posts
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February 14th, 2024 19:29
@Moodyfan I know that I had a problem with my Inspiron and CD burning within Windows a few years ago, but it was for a completely different but somewhat similar issue. Not sure if this will help, but you can try my solution here.
Chino de Oro
5 Practitioner
5 Practitioner
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5.6K Posts
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February 11th, 2024 23:04
That is a common message when Windows tried to read an unformatted media (blank disc). Similar as a hard drive, the media has to contain partition to be displayed in File Explorer or to be playback with media player.
A blank disc, however, should be recognized in burning software such as Nero or Power2Go.
Compatible blank disc for BU40N are: DVD+R, RW DVD-R, and RW DVD-RAM
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
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3.2K Posts
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February 11th, 2024 23:05
@Moodyfan The error message indicates the disc is unformatted. Did you try writing (burning) data to the disc?
Your research on the Dell site indicates a Blu-Ray drive, but the specs for the XPS 8910 only indicate a Slimline DVD+/-RW optical drive.
Kflash08
3 Apprentice
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554 Posts
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February 12th, 2024 00:20
If you're using Windows Explorer to write files onto a disc, clicking on the drive with a blank disc inserted should bring up a dialog box asking what you want to do with the disc. If it doesn't, there is either a problem with the drive or your Windows configuration.
If you are backing up documents, you're probably better off using a USB flash drive, or an external hard drive/SSD for larger & faster backups. CDs and DVDs are more for archiving data that you're never going to modify in the foreseeable future.
Moodyfan
4 Posts
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February 12th, 2024 19:28
@Vic384 I tried to drag a file to the disc but I got the same error message. And yes, what I found on the Dell site showing the system configuration is obviously wrong. I did see Slimline DVD+/-RW optical drive somewhere, but not sure where I saw it.
Moodyfan
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February 12th, 2024 19:33
@Kflash08 I did not get a dialog box, all I got was the Windows message. Is there an easy way to tell if the problem is with my Windows configuration or the actual drive itself?
Regarding the backups, I have the desktop backed up to an external drive. I was looking to backup certain critical documents to place in our safe - our wills, tax returns, etc.
Moodyfan
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February 16th, 2024 18:46
@Kflash08 Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am copying data to a DVD as I type this. I also was able to play CD's and DVD's I own. It was the blank copies that I was unable to do anything with.
You are a rookie? I would give you a 10! Thanks again.
(edited)