Why lightscribe is too light

Is LightScribe dead? It's been months since I've switched my computer over from XP to Windows 7, and it only dawned on me a few days ago I need to put LightScribe software on the new installation. I can't find any. I'd used ArcSoft which turned out to have some bad stuff included which it was like pulling teeth to get rid of and "Sure Thing" software. They were both freeware, but I can't find any out there. Can't even find the LightScribe website any more.

There are two or three programs on cnet for LightScribe, but people are saying they don't work, come with malware, etc. Does anyone know of any LightScribe freeware still out there that's reliable?

I even checked to see if there was anything on my computer's old hard drive that might help me, but it seems I junked the old drive and then forgot having done so. Is lightscribe dead? I certainly hope so. They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. If you can't live without it, you may need to buy a commercial product at this point. I used to support LightScribe here, but even I gave up after printer costs dropped.

The quality of ink jet labels on discs like Taiyo Yuden's Watershield brand is a million times better than anything LightScribe can do. It happened with 3 different drives. My burns were almost never really dark enough and once I tried the trick of burning the same image a 2nd time. It did make the burn darker - at the cost of seriously messing up my drive. The drive quickly went downhill after that little experiment, so I never tried that again.

Although my old LightScribe labels are stored out of direct sunlight in temperature controlled conditions, many of my labels have already started to fade and some of them will be completely unreadable in a few more years. Given that it was taking 20 minutes to burn ONE LightScribe label and they rarely turned out dark enough, this format is just a loser all around.

If you can find software then use up your discs as quickly as you can and abandon the format. I'm not sure, but I think I read somewhere that Verbatim may have stopped making LightScribe discs, and that's not good at all. Apparently you can still find HP Lightscribe software from cnet, among other places. The small file linked above is actually the downloader for the full package, a bit over 11 MB, so that matches what I have.

Haven't used it in ages, but I still have the Lightscribe install files on our office PC, version 1. I should think the version linked above will do.

Was it ever alive? Originally Posted by Keyser. Originally Posted by hech Originally Posted by fritzi Apparently you can still find HP Lightscribe software from cnet, among other places Originally Posted by gastrof. Last edited by gastrof; 31st Mar at Thanks guys! Pros: 1. Looks really nice professional; almost holographic at certain angles 2. Text and vector-style graphics like logos look great Cons: 1. You have to do 2 burns to get it dark 2.

It takes a long time 20 to 30 minutes per burn 3. Photos look like crap 4. You have to buy special LightScribe discs expensive compared to normal discs 5. Monochrome like black and white, but more of a sepia tint I only use LightScribe for special projects. Adds that extra "touch". I also use it for movie projects, like when doing people's family videos. They love seeing their name with a little graphic on the disc.

Regarding software, SureThing is the best software to go with imo, like corkyg said. You have to buy special printable discs, available in white or silver, but they cost a lot less than the LightScribe discs.

Basically the white ones have a paper-like surface that you print on, which makes them look as good as photos would on matte photo paper. You can do any color you want instead of just monochrome like LightScribe is. I backup all of my software discs this way and print the keys on them for easy reference it's so much nicer flipping through your software collection and having easy-to-read titles with the CD keys readily available. It's your basic inkjet printer with the added capability of being able to print on printable discs not normal discs.

I use both LightScribe and printable discs. Both have their uses. Normally I prefer printables, but when I want a disc to be really "special" I typically use LightScribe. The nice thing about having a disc printer is that it doubles as a normal inkjet, so you can print out documents and photos and whatnot. Be warned that Epson doesn't have the best text quality on normal paper, so if you're planning on using it for polished school reports you may want to consider a different model like the Canon Pixma printers with the CD tray hack.

You have to do 2 burns to get it dark. Zepper Elite Member. May 1, 18, 0 0. If you don't mind wearing your drive out on a gimmick and paying extra for the privilege, no Originally posted by: Zepper If you don't mind wearing your drive out on a gimmick and paying extra for the privilege, no MrPickins Diamond Member. May 24, 8, You burn the disk and then do the lightscribe after. Is an extra 30 or 45 minutes of burning depending on the intricacy of your image likely to wear out a drive faster?

Best 17 bucks I have spent in a long time. Jim Smith — USA. Hi Steve. Thanks for helping me out. I now saved the link in my favourites as you had instructed, and have successfully loaded the software. It is wonderful and easy to use, thanks for making it simple for the non-tekkie! Don Kiefiuk — USA. Thank you for the professional site. It was a really great experience to see something so easy, direct and informative.

You really have hit the mark. Tom Karl — USA. Hi Steve,. It's products like yours that make using my computer a lot more enjoyable! I was burning my first LightScribe disc label about 20 minutes after I got home. Thanks for the disc tip, the next time I buy disc, I'll be sure to get Verbatim.

Dennis Coleman — USA. Now thanks to yourself and this superb software I am merrily printing away. Many, many thanks and keep up the great work. George Douglass - UK. Product is great; worked exactly as advertised. Money well spent.

Peter Macey — USA. Installing your stuff put the driver back in and now even my Nero software finds it. Thanks a bunch! Patrick Davis — USA. Thanks for the email. I have not had a chance to scour it all, but I was able to create a quick disk that looked awesome, so thanks for everything. Your toolbox has everything anyone would ever dream of needing to make some awesome LightScribe labels, I just loved it. I personally think its well worth the investment, times over. Pat Ferrell - USA.

I couldn't be happier. Thanks a million. Charlie Scott - USA. I have just scribed my 1st CD label - It's idiot proof. If I managed to use it so can anyone!

Thank you. Belinda Chalk — UK. Very nice package! Exactly what I was looking for! Edward Adams Jr. I am delighted with your software. Manfred Ahrensmeier — RSA. Steve I just want to let you know that I received the CD.