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[SOLVED] Multisession data DVD wrongly identified as blank

Graphical Environments, Managers, Multimedia & Desktop questions.
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Kevin1
Posts: 29
Joined: 2014-12-23 22:34

[SOLVED] Multisession data DVD wrongly identified as blank

#1 Post by Kevin1 »

Running Jessie 8.11, 3.16.0-6-amd64.
For several years I have been periodically archiving encrypted backups of my documents folder to Verbatim DVD+RW discs.

I format a new disc using:

Code: Select all

dvd+rw-format -force /dev/sr0
I add the first backup file to the disc using:

Code: Select all

growisofs -Z /dev/sr0 -V "VolumeLabel" -R -J /path/to/file
I add subsequent backup files to the disc using:

Code: Select all

growisofs -M /dev/sr0 -R -J /path/to/file
Until recently, on inserting a disc containing backup data, the disc volume label has been displayed in Nautilus and I have been able to access the backup files. Now, Nautilus identifies the disc as 'Blank DVD+RW disc'.

This occurs when I insert any of my many backup disks.
I can play video DVDs and audio CDs without problems, so I think the disc drive must be OK.
On another machine running Wheezy 7.11, 3.2.0-6-686-pae, all of the backup disks are correctly identified and accessed by Nautilus.

I suspect that a recent update to 64 bit Jessie has caused the problem.

Any advice, please?
Last edited by Kevin1 on 2018-07-19 19:40, edited 1 time in total.

kevinthefixer
Posts: 190
Joined: 2018-05-05 22:30

Re: Multisession data DVD incorrectly identified as blank

#2 Post by kevinthefixer »

I'd try a live-CD of Stretch to see if that works. If so, upgrade your system. A lot of bugs seem to have been worked out of Stretch.

Kevin1
Posts: 29
Joined: 2014-12-23 22:34

Re: Multisession data DVD incorrectly identified as blank

#3 Post by Kevin1 »

Thanks for the suggestion, kevinthefixer.
The 64 bit Stretch live DVD identified all my disks as blank.
I have discovered that 64 bit Jessie identifies a 32 bit Wheezy live DVD as blank (a single-session disc). The disc is correctly identified and accessed on my 32 bit machine running Wheezy.

Can anyone replicate this behaviour?
How can I track down the source of the problem?
The DVD drive would seem to be OK as it can play videos.

kevinthefixer
Posts: 190
Joined: 2018-05-05 22:30

Re: Multisession data DVD incorrectly identified as blank

#4 Post by kevinthefixer »

I'm afraid I can't duplicate your problem. I dug through a bunch of my ancient backup CDs and read them all on Stretch AMD64. After 15 years they aren't supposed to be readable! I'm beginning to suspect that you have a hardware problem. I once had a DVD drive fail slowly, starting with its refusing to read or write DVD+R disks but still working with DVD-R. You might try cleaning the lens; probably won't work but doesn't cost much. Next I'd try a different drive, maybe borrow an external USB one? If you're convinced it's a bit-depth issue, you could try enabling multi-arch, but I wouldn't count on it working.
https://wiki.debian.org/Multiarch/HOWTO ... ti-arch%29

Kevin1
Posts: 29
Joined: 2014-12-23 22:34

Re: Multisession data DVD incorrectly identified as blank

#5 Post by Kevin1 »

Many thanks, kevinthefixer, for attempting to replicate the problem and for suggesting it could be a hardware issue, despite playing videos OK.
I cleaned the lens with a cotton bud dampened with distilled water and now the drive reads my backup disks just fine (and still plays videos).

Kevinthefixed :D

kevinthefixer
Posts: 190
Joined: 2018-05-05 22:30

Re: [SOLVED] Multisession data DVD wrongly identified as bla

#6 Post by kevinthefixer »

Yeah, I oughta get a raise, huh? Always check the easy stuff first!

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