Problems printing lightscribe labels

[strep3241]

I have a Samsung dvd burner that is capable of lightscribe. I have used it to print several lightscribe labels in past. Here lately, whenever I try to print a lightscribe label, I get an error saying print process failed, an internal error has occured.

I am using Nero 8 to create the labels. I have tried cd-r's and dvd-r's. And yes I am turning the cd upside down in the drive. Is this a problem with the drive itself or just a software problem? What other programs can I use to print a lightscribe label? I have tried the Lightscribe Simple Labeler and it produced an error as well.

 

[mechBgon]

If you haven't already done it, make sure to get the latest LightScribe system software itself, too. http://lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

 

[strep3241]

I have been doing some troubleshooting and I figured out it has to do with my machine. I took the the drive out and installed it in the new computer, which is running XP, I just built and I was able to print a lightscribe label fine so I know there is nothing wrong with the drive itself.

So I put the drive back in my machine that is running Windows 7, used the same software that I used on the other computer and I get an error.

I am using the latest lightscribe software as well.

Are there other programs that I can use to burn a lightscribe label? I have tried Surething CDLabeler 4SE and that seems to be just for inserts and paper labels.

 

[Steltek]

I think your issue is that Nero 8 isn't Windows 7-compatible. You could always try to run it in WinXP SP3 compatibility mode to see if that makes a difference. Another option is to install WinXP under a virtual machine on your computer and see if it works.

FWIW, you might look around and see if you can find one of those offers for the free Ashampoo Burning Studio 2010 - they are always having offers of free downloads from various sources. It isn't the best burning software, but it also isn't the worst I've ever used, either. I'm pretty sure that it does support lightscribe beginning in V10 and later. This is probably a trial version download link through Softpedia, but you can try it to see if it works:

http://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/lpa/softpedia

Just make sure you register using a junk email because they have a tendency to spam the heck out of you (or at least they used to, anyway).

 

[strep3241]

Well I just uninstalled Nero 8 to make sure that wasn't causing a conflict. I then tried the same program that worked on the XP machine, which is Lightscribe Simple Labeler, and it still did not work.

I will give Ashampoo a shot.

 

[corkyg]

My favorite Lightscribe proggie is SureThing CD/DVD Labler. It combined with Lightscribe's own drivers, etc., really never go wrong in XP, Vista,k or 7.

 

[strep3241]

I tried SureThing version 4SE but it did not work for me. Maybe I was doing it wrong. It seemed that it was just for printing inserts and paper covers and not lightscribe labels.

What version are you using?

 

[Steltek]

Well I just uninstalled Nero 8 to make sure that wasn't causing a conflict. I then tried the same program that worked on the XP machine, which is Lightscribe Simple Labeler, and it still did not work.

I will give Ashampoo a shot.

Well, from your description, it just acts like it isn't going to work no matter what software you use. I presume you've run the software with administrator rights when attempting to burn the disc?

The only other thing I can think of right off the top of my head is that maybe the firmware on the drive is not compatible with Win7 (something that I did see several times in the past on machines upgraded from XP to Vista that had Liteon drives). You might want to check the Samsung website to see if there is an updated firmware available there for the drive.

If you have access to another machine with Win7, it might be worth pulling the drive again and installing on that machine just to see if it works as-is under Win7 - that would at least let you know if it is specifically your machine or the drive.

 

[strep3241]

Yes I tried running the software with admin rights.

This is what does not make sense to me. A few months ago, I was able to burn a lightscribe label using Nero 8. Now I can not no matter what software I use. Nothing has changed hardware wise since then. I was using the same Windows as well.

 

[Steltek]

Per your signature, you appear to be running your system with significant overclocking. It might be worth dialing the overclock back to at least eliminate this as a source of the problem.

 

[corkyg]

I tried SureThing version 4SE but it did not work for me. Maybe I was doing it wrong. It seemed that it was just for printing inserts and paper covers and not lightscribe labels. What version are you using?

SureThing Deluxe - 5.2.662

 

[strep3241]

Per your signature, you appear to be running your system with significant overclocking. It might be worth dialing the overclock back to at least eliminate this as a source of the problem.

Why would being overclocked be the cause of this problem? I can understand if I was reinstalling Windows or something like that.

SureThing Deluxe - 5.2.662

Did you have to pay for that? I am looking for something free. I don't want to pay for something when I know the program isn't the problem. It looks like there are not too many free options out there going by google.

 

[Steltek]

Why would being overclocked be the cause of this problem? I can understand if I was reinstalling Windows or something like that.

Just because the system ran flawlessly when you set up the overclock doesn't mean something hasn't changed over time. When you overclock, you are obviously running at speeds the equipment wasn't designed to run at and thus stressing all components of that equipment. A simple memory glitch could affect the operation of your DVD drive.

You know the drive is good - your testing showed it. So, your issue is directly related to your specific system - either a Windows issue or a hardware problem.

The hardware should be easy to test. Either drop the system back to specs, or better yet, do some stability testing by dropping Memtest86 or Orthos/Stress Prime 2004 on the system for a few hours. Either of those should tell you for sure whether you have any stability issues with your overclock.

Eliminate the obvious before you have to dig into Windows, 'cause you'll never get the hours of your life you waste digging around in its 'innards back.

 

[corkyg]

Did you have to pay for that? I am looking for something free. I don't want to pay for something when I know the program isn't the problem. It looks like there are not too many free options out there going by google.

Yes - and is is well worth $29.95. It has the best Lightscribe support on the planet, and you get scads of great downloads, backgrounds, etc., for Lightscribe.

 

[strep3241]

Just to let you guys know, I got the problem fixed. I just had to switch motherboard sata connectors. It was hooked up to a sata 3 connector and I moved it to a sata 2 connector and now I can print a lightscribe label just fine.

The overclock had nothing to do with the problem as I figured it wouldn't.

Thanks for your help.