So, here's my problem:


I own a Philips CDRW CDD 3600 (SCSI) with a venerable Pentium 233MMX on windows98. A few months ago, my CDRW started having problem writing Data CDs ( a lot of coasters). I must say that this problem occurs only with Data CD's, not with audio CD's or when I copy a CD with cloneCD (RAW data): these work well, hopefully! For writing Data CD, I used Easy CD Pro v2.11. It started giving me error messages at the closure of the disc (finalization): if I remember well, it said "Current program area empty...". Then I tried a trial version of Nero v5.0: more coasters. It would give exactly the same problem,as it would not finalize discs. That meant that I could read these coasters with my CDRW only ( no CDR). I then used a trial version of CDmate 2.2.1: bingo! more coasters with that one ("cannot close session"). I then discovered this site, went to the FAQ and followed the instructions. I updated my ASPI (now v4.60 1021), I checked that AIN and Sync were disabled... They were. And I removed the 4 VXD that are recommended to be removed. Then, with CDmate, It finally worked...Once :( Then it was followed by 4 beautiful coasters...

Help! I'm getting mad with that thing. And please don't say to me to buy another one. If I could, I would not write this post!

Thanks for answering!

I used to have the same burner, sold it on to a m8. Never had any problems with it apart from being slow. I have a BIOS-update to V2.00 if you are interested, it might reset things internally. HTH.

I still own a HP 7200i. This is a rebadged IDE version of the same drive. Mine too started behave the exact same way. Every second disc burned turned out to be a coaster. The tray on these drives does not make an airtight seal, so a lot of dust is allowed to enter the drive`s internals. You should try to clean the lens, either use a cleaning disc or take the drive apart, and clean your lens with a q-tip, and perhaps some mild solvent.
I found two good web pages about this issue, but now both of them seems to be gone. :(
I took the easy approach, and bought a new drive, but the venerable 7200 is still in use as a reader in my old 200 MHz AMD K6 machine, which is rarely used.....:rolleyes:

I had an archived thread with all the info about cleaning the 3600/3610/7200 etc. I'm not sure if it got carried over form the old board. I don't suppose one of the mods would know.

I'll have a dig to see if I have any of the info archived