Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

ITunes won't burn CD- Unknown Error (4251)

My CD burner on my new Compaq works with other applications but when I try to burn a playlist on iTunes, it says it's initializing the disc, then cancels the burn and throws up a message saying it couldn't burn because of an unkown error (4251). I've uninstalled and re-installed iTunes - still no help. Any ideas?

Compaq Presario Windows XP

Posted on Dec 31, 2006 9:48 AM

Reply
3 replies

Dec 31, 2006 9:58 AM in response to RadioMan5

These 3 steps will usually fix most burn issues in itunes.

1) Eventho the PC is new, goto the PC makers site and see if theres any updates for your model, especailly Firmware updates for the CD Drive and BIOs and IDE controller updates for the PC.

2) Slow the burn speed in iTUnes from "Max" to something like 8x or lower. You do this by going to edit>Preferences>Advanced tab>Burn sub tab

3) Try a different brand of blank CDs.

Also goto help>Run DIagnostics>CD and copy/paste the resulting report here so we can overlook your setup

Dec 31, 2006 10:19 AM in response to RadioMan5

I am having a similar problem burning CDs. Itunes begins to burn CD than cancels with the following message "The attempt to burn a disc failed. The disk is locked and cannot be written." After some research I found the following article "Burning disc in iTunes for Windows using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive fails with 4280 error." I followed directions as noted, this worked for the burning of one CD, then failed message returned. I have tried different CDs and lowering record speed to no avail. Burner worked up until updating to latest iTunes. Here is the diagnostic report

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Sony Corporation PCG-GRT390ZP(UC)
iTunes 7.0.2.16
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.1
LowerFilters: PXHELP20 (2.0.0.0), AFS2K (3.1.21.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),
Video Driver: NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5600 (Sony)\GeForce FX Go5600


IDE\DiskIC25N060ATMR04-0 ______________________MO3OAD1A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
USBSTOR\DiskLexar __JumpDrive______1.00, Bus Type USB
USBSTOR\DiskSony ___MSC-U04________3.00, Bus Type USB
IDE\CdRomSONY CD-RW__CRX830E_____________________JFK1___, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

Current user is an administrator.

E: SONY CD-RW CRX830E, Rev JFK1
Media in drive is blank.
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 4.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.


The last failed audio CD burn had error code -46(0xffffffd2). It happened on drive E: SONY CD-RW CRX830E on CDRW media at speed 4X.

Any help would be appreciated.

Dec 31, 2006 4:22 PM in response to pac_80

Ever since I updated to the latest version of iTunes I have been getting burn error 4261. I had no burning problems with the older iTunes version.I have spoke with customer support several times and tried everything they suggested (including updating firmware and lowering burn speed". Unfortunately nothing has worked. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this.

Here's what I got when I ran the diagnostic:


Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Dell Inc. Dell DXP051
iTunes 7.0.2.16
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.1
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),
Video Driver: RADEON X300 SE 128MB HyperMemory\RADEON X300 SE 128MB HyperMemory


IDE\DiskWDC WD1600JS-75NCB1____________________10.02E01, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
IDE\CdRomHL-DT-ST DVD+-RW_GWA4164B_______________E113___, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]
IDE\CdRomTSSTcorp DVD-ROM_TS-H352C_______________DE02___, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

Current user is an administrator.

D: TSSTcorp DVD-ROM TS-H352C, Rev DE02
Drive is empty.

E: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B, Rev E113
Audio CD in drive.
Found 20 songs on CD, playing time 74:28 on Audio CD.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Track 2, start time 04:58:24
Track 3, start time 08:20:08
Track 4, start time 11:55:52
Track 5, start time 15:10:21
Track 6, start time 18:23:39
Track 7, start time 21:47:14
Track 8, start time 24:41:40
Track 9, start time 29:06:33
Track 10, start time 33:08:33
Track 11, start time 36:26:04
Track 12, start time 39:16:42
Track 13, start time 43:37:28
Track 14, start time 47:27:35
Track 15, start time 51:21:63
Track 16, start time 56:13:25
Track 17, start time 60:26:21
Track 18, start time 63:49:68
Track 19, start time 67:05:09
Track 20, start time 70:47:40
Audio CD reading succeeded (check for old firmware).
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 16 24 40 48.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 16.
The drive DVDR speeds are: 16.
The drive DVDRW speeds are: 16.

Force Optical Power Calibration before burn is turned on in the preferences.

The last failed audio CD burn had error code 4261(0x000010a5). It happened on drive E: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B on CDR media at speed 16X.

ITunes won't burn CD- Unknown Error (4251)

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.