cannot burn dvd-r discs in k3b without root privileges

[David Leimer]

I have Ubuntu 5.04 x86, use GNOME, and use k3b to burn discs, and I have a
Samsung TS-H552 (Writemaster).

I can burn CDs, DVD+Rs, isos, etc. in k3b with no problem, however, when I try
to burn a DVD-R disc, I must have root privileges (gksudo k3b), otherwise it
gives me an error about inserting blank media, as if no disc is in at all.
However, with root privs, it works perfectly. Not a big deal, but technically
not correct. I shouldn't have to use sudo just to burn a disc.

[Martin Meredith (mez)]

Under tools-> configure k3b-> Devices, can you tell me what it says next to
"Writes DVD-R(W)" and "Writes DVD-R Dual Layer" and tell me whether there';s any
difference to that screen when you run it as root.

[David Leimer (dleimer)]

I did that and you were right; under my regular user account, it did not show an
entry for DVD-Rs. However, in a seemingly unrelated event (try to play a dvd
movie) i changed the symbolic link of /dev/dvd. It used to point to my
DVD-writer, but i pointed it instead to my DVD-ROM. Now, in k3b, the screens
look identical. However, I have not tested this as a ran out of DVD-Rs recently.

On another note, you mention looking for "Writes DVD-R Dual Layer". My burner
is definitely dual layer, but I haven't tested it yet because its new. Nothing
about dual layer shows up in the k3b info screen. Does that mean I will have
problems burning those discs too?

Additional info: My burner can do DVD-Rs, and DVD+Rs, but for dual layer it can
only burn DVD+Rs.

[Martin Meredith (mez)]

That may just be because I was looking at a slightly different version...

When looking at that screen: do any of the devices show "/dev/dvd" under the
"System Device Name"

If so, it may be that k3b is picking up the wrong devices when scanning, which
is something that can be fixed.

[David Leimer (dleimer)]

The devices it names for my DVD-ROM and DVD-writer are /dev/hdd and /dev/hdc,
respectively, which are both correct. Reassigning that link (/dev/dvd) seemed
to do the trick. I still haven't tried dual layer discs yet, and I hope those
will work.

[Martin Meredith (mez)]

hmm.. I'm quite confused about how changing a link that isnt related to what k3b
is seeing should make it work, but .. I'm happy to mark this "fixed" if you are?

[David Leimer (dleimer)]

Sure, go ahead. Seems fine to me now. Thanks for taking a look at it.