DVD drive problems

[Josh Bear]

Hi All,
Can anyone help? My computer dvd drive will play movies but will say there is no disk inserted if I try and read a data disk. e.g. installation disks for printers etc.

I have unintslled the drive and reinstalled. I have checked the cables and reseated them. I have used a cmd prompt to see if the dvd drive can be accessed. (As in windows it will see movies bought from a shop but not data disks e.g. installation disks for printers etc etc.)

When you insert a movie it plays, when you insert a data disk the drive lights up but the drive shows as empty. I also tried buring a lighscribe label, but that couldn't see the media either

I have tried every solution I know including altering the 4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 key in the registry to remove LowerFilters value UpperFilters in the right window but no solution.

I would happily go and buy a new drive but fear it is a software issue as how could a drive play movies but not data disks surely they use the same bits of the hardware.

I am running vista and the drive can be seen in the bios.

Any help really appreciated. Oh and if anyone sees my will to live will you give him a sandwich and cup of tea and send him home.

Thanks

Josh

[santaya]

Re: DVD drive problems

Will it read data DVDs? Its my understanding that all DVD drives have a dual laser package, (one 650nMs the other 750nMs wavelength), one for CDs and the other for DVDs. One can continue to work properly, while the other fails. Hope this helps.

[Gez]

Re: DVD drive problems

I assume you have checked the Device Manager to see if you have any faults on the drive. Also try the Computer folder which shows the available drives and if your disc is highlighted try to open with a right click. Apologies if you have already tried these.
Best of luck, Gez

[Josh Bear]

Re: DVD drive problems

Santaya,

I love you (u too for the response Gez). I hadn't tried a data DVD and it worked!. So does that mean the cd part of the drive is broken? Therefor a new drive purchase should help?

Thanks

Josh

[Rodbender]

Re: DVD drive problems

Josh have you visited the manufacturers site for help. Most have firmware updates etc that can be downloaded and installed. Your firmware may have been corrupted. Firmware enables the drive to recognize the media you have inserted and apply the correct read/wright settings. Always worth a try.

[santaya]

Re: DVD drive problems

The firmware update is worth a try...but my experience is that it won't help. Good luck.

[Josh Bear]

Re: DVD drive problems

thanks all,

have done firmware update. the program told me I already had the latest version but I installed it anyway. I don't get it. This drive has worked perfectly since december 2007.

do you reckon a new drive would work i.e. that it is not a windows problem.?

[santaya]

Re: DVD drive problems

My bet is that a new drive will work. I think one laser is gone in your unit. I still use my unit that lost its CD laser...but added an additional combo so I'd have both.

[Josh Bear]

Re: DVD drive problems

new drive purchases and working.

Thanks all