iTunes won't burn cd's

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 410 Location: Ontario, Canada

I have iTunes 9, have burned cd's in the past but now get an error message.

I use XP Home.

Error is: Attempt to burn disc failed. An unknown error occured (4450)

I did try to play one in Windows media player, it listed all 20 tracks without names, played the first song, all the rest appeared to be playing but I couldn't hear them.
Tried burning in MP3 format but said songs weren't in that format and couldn't be burned that way.

Have tried searching the internet for help but you folks seem like the most logical choice Very Happy

Also, is there any way to play songs from iTunes through Windows media player?

Anyone have any ideas as to how I can fix this. I'm sick of wasting CD's!

Thanks

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 1059

What burning program do you use? What Burner do you use?

The original Windows Media player (2) will play some iTunes in a reduced window.

When I have problems, I revert back to re-writable CD's. Slower, but you can erase and try again until you have the problem fixed.

Actually, it sounds like your burner has gone south! They are cheap now, might as well get a new one, with an updated burning program.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Have you change the brand of CD's? - has anything else been changed?
What brand are you trying to use, brand used before (if applicable)?
What is there max burning speed?
Have you tried burning at a slower speed?

How old is the drive - it may need to be cleaned - if so, run a cleaning disk in it (can be had a Wally World [wal-mart])

Things to try;
another [good quality, name brand] CD (more times than not, the brand / quality used make all the difference)
slower speed
(can use CD-RW for this, if you have them)
Try a different burning program - just to see if the drive WILL burn

<<<If all else fails, you can always use gasoline & a match, THAT will "burn" them!!!>>> Twisted Evil

(that'll teach 'em)

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 410 Location: Ontario, Canada

CD brand is the same, HP CD-R. It's the only kind (CD-R) my burner will use. Burner is the one that came in computer HP a500n, no idea of make or model. About 5 yrs old.

I just chose use max as the speed but theirs was 26 I think.
Have a cleaner but haven't used it, will try that.

I used iTunes burn button, didn't know I could use another program, thought I had to use theirs.

I actually have trouble finding my iTunes songs listed. There's a file but they're not all there!

Been thinking about getting an external DVD/CD burner cuz I'm not sure if I could install an internal one myself. Probably can but leary about trying.

Thanks for the input, I'll try a couple of your suggestions and see what happens.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

If those CD's are of a different batch, you MAY have a bad batch. Like I said, MOST of this kind of problem ends up being the disks, but not always.
(experiment with the CD-RW's - if you have them - try a couple)

Still try reducing speed, on certain disks / burns, this can help.
And try the cleaner. (that won't hurt at all) - also note how you may be handling your blank disk, it is possible a fingerprint is getting on them & THAT can cause a bad burn as well.

You may or may not be able to burn ITUNES with another program (I'm not sure as I don't do itunes) but as for the BURNING itself, there are TONS of software. So unless this burner is somehow "locked" to this software that I don't know about, you should be able to use any burning software - please take note that I HAVE heard of certain drives that just would flake with certain software, though... { I've used NERO & ROXIE the most but I have used Window built in stuff & a few others }

Installing an internal drive really isn't all that hard, but an external may offer more flexability. - depends on your needs (& wants / usage)

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 410 Location: Ontario, Canada

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

I'm not doubting your word, but I find it very hard to imagine a drive that won't use CD-RW's - I have a burner I got with a P2 - 400Mhz & IT will.

Kinda sounds like if you can afford it, maybe a new drive IS the answer. But me, I'd wanna figure out what the deal is with that one, either way.

BTW: what is the top speed of the BURNER?

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

If this is yours
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00070262&lc=e...mp;dlc=
the burner is a CD-RW and the speed is 48x24x48 maximum speed
48 is the recording speed
24 is the rewriting speed (erasing and overwriting)
48 is the reading speed

If your paperwork/manual shows three numbers, then you have a CD-RW drive; if it only shows two numbers, then you have a CD-R drive. The first number is recrding speed and the second is reading speed.

Again, if the above link points to your computer, it came with RecordNow software. Have you used it to burn anything?