I have an ACER Aspire 1640z running XP Media Center Edition version 2002 Service Pack 2.
The drive is Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-850S.

I have had this problem ever since I've had the computer, but I would really like to fix it if possible.

The problem is only with data cd/dvd's. Sometimes when I put one in, the computer will insist it is empty. My usual work-around has been to put the disk in an old computer, copy it to a new disk, which the Acer would then happily read. This time it is a dvd-rom and I don't have any blank dvd disks.

The first time I put the disk in, the machine read it with no problem, so I thought I was home free, so I didn't immediately copy it to the hd. But now it says there's nothing on it. I have NTI CD & DVD-Maker on the machine and it can read the disk, but it won't copy it to the hd; I finally had to use IsoBuster to transfer the data to the hd.

Any ideas would be appreciated. If you need more info, will SUPPLY. So Windows couldn't read it through My Computer but ISO Buster could?

My first suggestion would be to reinstall the CD/DVD Drive's Drivers.
You can do this by going to the manufacturers website, looking for the right hardware, and downloading the driver.I have been told it uses generic Windows drivers. Going to Device Manager and doing update drivers, it says it can't find a better match than what is already installed. I went to DriverGuide and downloaded SOMETHING for 'Matshita anyDVDRAM' and the readme and manual were in Japanese.If you find the model of the Disc Drive, go to google and search for:
Download DRIVE Drivers.

Or go to your Computer Manufacturers website, look for the Computer Model, and look at the Driver Section.I found this on another fourm. You can try it but at your own risk. Make sure to back up your registry just in case....
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1887134&SiteID=17

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The solution i am posting works perfectly for Acer laptops wiht Matshita UJ-850s. I have not tested it on Toshiba yet.

Method 1: Remove the registry entry

WARNING: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method.

These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk. Note If you had installed multiple CD-writing software products on your computer, you need to uninstall the software products before you remove the registry keys.

 

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
4. On the File menu, click Export.
5. In the File name box, type savedkey, and then click Save.
6. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters, and then click Delete on
the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

Note If this data type is missing, go to Method 2.
7. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters, and then click Delete on
the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

 
Spoiler: Tried that, didn't work.

The Acer Driver Download button results in 'Page can't be found...' Apparently the drive is manufactured by Panasonic, their site lists several UJ xxx drives, but not UJ 850S. Sigh.

Is there a way to force a reinstall of the driver that's on the machine?You can go to the device manager and delete it...than reboot

That should reload the same drivers you have now.

By the way, you did delete both the upper and lower filers in the regisrty?

Well, that didn't work.

Yes, both upper and lower. I ran across that yesterday and tried it, with much trepidation. It had no effect on my problem, but something else complained, I forget what, and I had to restore it.Can you check this on your machine and let me know if you are set to PIO or DMA ...



For Windows XP

Go into your Control Panel by first clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on the Control Panel icon located in the right column of the Start Menu.

If your Start Menu is set to the Classic View, then begin by clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on Settings, then click on the Control Panel icon to open up the Control Panel.

Now, Double click on the System icon to open up the System Properties window.

Now click on the Hardware tab located at the top of the screen.

Then click on the Device Manager button in the center area of the screen.

Now click on the plus sign

• next to the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers to expand that section.