possible to burn dvd-r with dvd+r drive?

[GooseTickler]

is there some hack or software that will allow this?

or is it hardware related i.e the laser that burns on the dvdr disc wont allow dvd-r?

thanks

[nimbles]

not normally although some writers can do this with a firware hack- but you'll prbably invlidate any remaining warranty by doing so- without knowing your writer pretty difficult to tell if it is one of the firmware hackable ones.

[GooseTickler]

sorry for the late reply, been trying to find out what this damn drive is called?! i cant find its name in properties. i got it as part of a package for this comp (t450)

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/35123-35527-35527-35527-39847-2864977-8165239.html

anyone know if its possible for this sort of drive? HP dvd-writer?

thanks

[Jesterrace]

What speed does it burn at? If it is an HP then you are SOL as I have yet to see an HP support -R burning. Probably among the worst writers out there IMHO (considering what you are getting for the price). My advice would be to yank the drive out and sell it on ebay and use the money from the sale towards a Pioneer 107. If it is a 4x burner then I am almost 100% sure that it is a 300i model.

[jase1]

300i is an NEC1100A clone isn't it?

This is one of the drives that can be hacked to become an NEC1300A, but it is extremely hit and miss as to whether you'll be able to do anything useful with the drive.

Agree that a true -R capable drive is the way to go, provided you don't want to use +R discs.

In all fairness to +R, for most purposes if you aren't going to be trading/selling a lot of discs +R can be perfectly OK for general use.

[Jesterrace]

Yup, +R do work fine for most applications, it's just when you consider cost and overall compatibility it is a little lacking. I can't remember if it is an 1100A clone. Either way though we need the specs from his drive before we can tell. I just don't support HP or Dell when it comes to them ripping people off on burners. There is about $150-$200 extra charge to put in a 4x + format only burner and it costs less than $120 to get a Pioneer 107.

[PhilEnfield]

As jester says, it's probably a 300i, if so it's a 4X DVD+R / 2.4X DVD+RW Burner.
This drive was first made about 15/16 months ago, which in DVD Burner Land, is now quite ancient.

Assuming you are using XP, you may find some details about the drive in System Information try here :

Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information/Components/CD-ROM

I agree with jester, you may want to replace it with a Pioneer, to bring things up to date. Not sure what the position is in the US, but Ritek +r's are currently around £6-£7 more expensive, on a 25 spindle, so there's a good reason to upgrade on it's own :

[GooseTickler]

indeed it is the 4x type.

my plan was to sell it and get a pioneer drive if i was unable to find a solution. i guess thats my only option now. its a massive inconvenience not being able to burn dvd-r, considering how cheap they are at the moment.

pioneer, here i come :D

thanks guys