Burn, baby, burn damn it

My iTunes won't let me burn CDs. It starts to initialize, then it says "canceling disc burn," and then I get an error message that reads "The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error occurred. (4280)." It's always been like that, and up until now, I've just been using my pre-iPod MusicMatch software to burn CDs, but now with all my playlists organized in iTunes, it would be so much easier if it would just work.

Anyone know what the deal is? I've tried two different brands of blank disks.

Comments

[Search the goddamn web next time]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300403

[sarah]

I did a web search a few months ago when I first noticed the problem and came up empty, so...

if you're a friend and being sarcastic, thanks for the tip. Mat sent me similar advice, and I have fixed the problem accordingly.

if you're an anonymous prick criticizing me for not being thorough, kindly shut the hell up.

[mark]

I was able to burn to a cd once but haven't been able to since. I also get the same error message. I don't have a sony CD burner but I tried the itunes fix anyway and that still didn't work.

[someone]

I have the same problem here, i have a mitsumi-drive.
I actually was able to burn via itunes, but it doesn't work anymore.

I didn't install anything new on that PC, except Windows-Updates.

[Anthony]

After months of trouble free burning, I got this same error this morning. I also tried the Sony fix even though my drive's a different company (since everything's basically made by two companies it may well be Sony).

No go.

Anyone find a fix? I'm @ a loss. -Anthony

[Mike]

You guys bother checking Apple Support? You probably have by now.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300403

Everything you need is here

[chris]

Well that link is posted in the start of this article.. and the guy that posted just before says he tried that fix.. I am having the same problem with another model drive and had no luck with the sony fix either. It appears that Itunes is installing some CDROM filter driver made called Gear works, I suspect that this is what is causing the problem.. Since I started getting this error I cant burn in any application. I have already swapped an identical drive as well.

[grant]

I have the same problem with an HP CD-Writer 9500i. Burning was no problem until I upgraded to iTunes 4.8

[MUGSYDEAN]

SAME PROBLEM HERE WITH TOSHIBA SATELLITE P25-S607

I THINK I WILL CONVERT TO MP3 THEN BURN WITH ANOTHER PROGRAM

IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS JUST GOOGLE IT.

[Garrett]

I found a solution to your problem!!! Go to the hp website, which is hp.com, then go to the support and troubleshooting menu, then type in "presario SR1020V" in the box. Click on solve a problem. Click on Cd and dvd drives on the left. Scroll down to where it says "when using itunes for windows, resolve the error:The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error occured (4280). If you go through this whole thing i guarentee it will work. Email me if it works because then ill feel happy i helped someone. but if it doesn't work, well then call up a computer place. i mean its pretty self-explanatory.

[Fred]

This kid is right! Follow his directions it really works. it completely solved all my problems with that error message

[Xavier]

It didn't work for me. I have an Acer pc with a MATSHITA UJDA750 DVD/CDRW. I have iTunes 6.0.0.18...

[Edelisa]

My iTunes won't let me burn CDs. It starts to initialize, then it says "canceling disc burn," and then I get an error message that reads "The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error occurred. (4280)."
I can't seem to find any help anywhere and I do not have a Sony drive I beleive it's ATAPI. Does any one have a solution?

[Overworm]

After searching through dozens of posts on the Apple help forums site, I found one useful answer.

1) Close iTunes, or don't open it in the first place.

2) Insert the blank CD into your drive.

3) If a Windows dialogue box pops up asking you what to do about the inserted CD, choose the "Do Nothing" option. If the dialogue box does not pop up after waiting 10 or 15 seconds, proceed to next step.

4) Open iTunes.

5) Go to desired playlist and burn CD as usual.

That should work. Once you've burned one CD successfully, you shouldn't have to close and open iTunes repeatedly. Just remember that the first CD should be inserted while iTunes is off.

I just tried it and it worked for me. I'm sure it's not an "official" fix, but I don't care. As long as it works.

[Arissona]

I have a HP Pavilion zx5180 and nothing seems to work for me. It has somehow corrupted burning in every program I have except a dvd burning program. Any help out there? or a link to an older version of itunes?

[-------]

NO, pal. It does NOT work, as an UNOFFICIAL or OFFICIAL 'fix'.

Dont bother posting apparent FIXES that only work on your half-assed cd drive/writer/whatever.

This is obviously some other CHARMING F*****ING hardware or software mod from this friendly and ever omnipresent steven stinking brown jobs-in-his-pants apple f***wit. THANKS steve, you twat. my pioneer was working JUST FINE UNTIL YOU F***** IT UP YOU DICKHEAD

[kilo]

Overworm's solution worked great for me, and the others were not applicable.

Thanks :)

[guyanakoolaid]

NEITHER worked for me. sorry.

[funeralpudding]

I had this problem with itunes (and actually with other apps, too) and an external USB burner for a while. I've tried all the fixes I've read about, including the chaging of one word of code in a system file opened in text, extra drivers, etc. I'm using Windows XP and an iomega zipCD650, but I've read about a variety of burners having errors of differing numbers. I will post this in several forums in the hope it helps somebody, it's worth a try, and it's easy. This is what I have figured out, also using another trick I've read about, and it is working for me about 95% of the time, versus about a 33% burn rate and a lot of coasters.

It never hurts to restart before a burn, or after several hours of continued use, and also disconnect any nonused USB devices. Have no CDs in your computer or external burner drive. Power up the external drive and connect it.

REPEAT THIS EVERY TIME YOU BURN A CD: In the bottom taskbar (on Windows; you may have to expand the selection) select the diagonal floating green arrow which is to "Safely Remove Hardware", and remove the external burner, usually drive E and the only selection. Wait a few seconds, then unplug the USB cord, wait a few seconds and replug it in. Then for good measure I do another trick I read about, eject the burner (using the "eject drive" from My Computer if necessary) insert the blank disc, wait for it to read (in My Computer, the burner drive [E] should, for available disk space, read 702MB or thereabouts) and then launch the burning application. After burn, quit application, and repeat.

hope i've helped,
funeralpudding

[BurnOneForTheKids]

The solution posted by Garrett worked for me. I have an HP dvd840i, applied the recommended fix to the gcdrtype.cfg file, rebooted, and no more problems!

[frustrated]

i have the same problem. i'm sure that the hp.com fix might work but i have a MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-830S. is there any solution for that?

[pyrohombre]

Also have this same problem with error code 4280 every time I try to burn a disc with Itunes. I have tried all of the propsosed fixes listed here without success. I also have an Acer model. It seems that everyone with a MATSHITA DVD-RAM drive are still having problems. I am at a loss, please help if you can.

[simBLiSsticxOo]

hey, i've been having the same problem and i know it gets REALLY frustrating. i've already had a burning problem with the itunes store and had to redo my entire library which wasn't fun.

the first time i got this error i just unchecked the "use soundcheck" box and i lowered the burning speed. it worked. but only for that one time. now i'm trying another suggestion to use the same cd once it's been rejected. i just put it back in to try again and it seems to be working so far. i only hope it works again next time. one suggestion i read even said to try a rejected disk for a third time. so keep at it, and hopefully that helps!

[Mel Thurlby]

I had the same problem and after looking at many, many Google searches on it, I remembered something my local computer store manager said. He told me that CD-RW caused lots of problems and he never uses them he always uses CR-R! So I put a CD-R in the drive and it worked! Try it, I had been trying with CD-RW for ages and getting the 4280 error every time until I put in the CD-R. They are cheaper too. :)

[Jay Antonio]

mine is MATSHITA UJ-850D.
no hope.
=(
please help