Dvd-rom

[ann8087]

Hi Guys, I don't know if you remember me I had a problem a while ago with my nvidia driver anyway firstly I just wanted you all to know that I was just about to buy a new one when I found an update on a dvd-rom from my windowss xp mag, I ran that and I haven't had a problem since, well not from that. I would have come on sooner to thank you all but unfortunately I have had quite a long spell back in hospital. Since being home I have had limited use of my PC but now that I'm almost back to normal I have discovered I have another problem. When I put a dvd-rom into my pc it doesn't work. It makes some noises as tho' its going to and occasionally you see the wee disc at the end of the pointer but then nothing. If I double click the drive it says there is no disc there. I have checked my Device Manager under DVD/CD-ROM drives and I have a SONY DVD-ROM DDU1612 I've checked it and it says its working properly I've even tried following the trouble shooter guide but can't find out where the problem is. As I don't know enough about it I was wondering if any of you could give me any advice on what I can do next. Also if I need to buy a new one are they expensive and does it have to be an internal one or can I get an external one.
Thank you guys, Ann

[kelly]

Ann,

I'm not 100% sure, but I'll bet you have a hardware problem. Device manager is OK. CD starts, but the laser doesn't find it. I've seen it before and it's been a DVD/CD ROM drive hardware problem, namely the laser or laser circuitry has failed. This has been the case, even though the drive would play a CD. Now your casee folks here will suggest newegg, Tiger Direct and other online sites. Personally may be different. I'm only going on my experience which by the way, isn't all that much when it comes to DVD/CD ROM drive failures.

Not too expensive to replace. Check with your local computer stores. If you buy from Staples and it turns out not to be the drive, you can probably bring it back. Check with them before purchasing.

- tony d

[Seth]

Hello Ann,

As kelly pointed out, this does look like a hardware problem with the drive itself. Either a laser failure, or the lens is not focusing the laser correctly. Does the drive play regular cd's?

A couple of other things to try:

1) Go into Device Manger and remove the drive. Reboot and Windows will reinstall the driver.

2) Dust on the laser lens will often cause this issue. This can be remedied by purchasing a computer cdrom cleaner. However, if the problem isn't a dirty lens, you're out the money for the cleaner. Given the low cost of a new DVD Rom, you may just want to replace it if #1 doesn't work.

[Dan18960]

Ann,

First off, (and this isn't meant to be nasty or rude) what kind of computer do you have?

If it is a notebook - an external one might be easier for you to deal with.

If it is a desktop - an internal should simply take the place of your current drive.

External is going to be more expensive than an internal one - more electronics needed, cable connection is different, and usage MIGHT be slower than an internal one.

ALSO if you opt for a new drive (internal OR external) REMOVE all the software related to your current drive. That would be:

1) DVD player software

and

2) Writing software (Sonic, NERO, Roxio, etc)

[ann8087]

Hi, Its a pc. I tried using a cleaner thinking it might be that but no success. It doesn't play anything at all. I'm not that great on PCs so I hope I am right in what I am saying. Under the DVD/CD-ROM drives ther is 2 listings the first is OPTORITE CD-RW CW5205 the other is SONY DVD-ROM DDU1612. My CD's are playing ok in the cd rewriteable and I am able to put photo's etc on to discs. The problem is when I try to play DVD-ROMs I get nothing at all so I am taking it that the DVD-ROM is the Sony.Ann

[Dan18960]

Thank You,

Ok so you want to keep with the internal DVD drive purchase.

NOW you can get a DVD RW drive for almost the price of a regular DVD drive - so you might want to go that route as it will add life to your computer system.

The drive "should" be held in by 4 screws - 2 on each side (maybe). When you pull the DVD drive - you will see a small 'jumper' on the back between where the data (wide) cable connects (AND this should have a color line on one side. Look carefully it is there and it maybe red or blue. And the power "D" connector.

Make a note of the jumpers location and move IF necessary the new DVD drive jumper.

REMEMBER to remove all the "old" DVD software from your computer. This would be like InterDVD or something similar. The new drive will come with OEM software geared to that drive and you will be loading it.

[ann8087]

Thankyou, I appreciate the help. Does it matter what kind I get as I noticed that there are quite a few which have different numbers, I mean 52x ....or 24x , that type of thing and I just thought if I have to buy one I may as well try and get the best I can afford(which isn't much) haha.
Ann

[kelly]

Dan - are jumper configurations on all CD/DVD drives the same? We are talking Master/Slave/CS, right? I know hard drives differ between manufacturers and even models.

If they differ than she needs to determine what config the current drive is: Master, Slave, CS and then set the new drive to match.

- tony

[casey]

Ann, Here are a few prices from Newegg to give you an idea how much they cost. The top two are beige and the bottom one is black. They have many more on Newegg.
The shipping is around $5+ and if you ordered today and live around here you would get it Tuesday or Wed.
It is no fun if you want to return it for any reasons.

I'd say the prices range from over $30 to mid $40 and then you have the really expensive ones..


NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Beige IDE Model ND-3550A - OEM
16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X ...
16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM
2M Cache
Avg Rating: [323] $30.99
$5.46 Three Day Shipping

Model ND-3550A - OEM
16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X ...
16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM
2M Cache
Avg Rating: [221] $30.99
$5.46 Three Day Shipping

BenQ 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model ... - OEM
16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X ...
16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM
2M Cache
Avg Rating: [49] $26.99
$5.46 Three Day Shipping

[Dan18960]

Dan - are jumper configurations on all CD/DVD drives the same? We are talking Master/Slave/CS, right? I know hard drives differ between manufacturers and even models.

If they differ than she needs to determine what config the current drive is: Master, Slave, CS and then set the new drive to match.

- tony

It use to be that there were different selections - but I haven't seen anything out of normal in a few years.

I usually just look at the old drive and duplicate the jumper selection and I may done.

[ann8087]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the help, I'm in the UK, I've been looking at some on amazon but there's so many to choose from. I've been looking at these:

1) Sony CD-RW / DVD-Rom Internal Combination Burner and in dollars would be $54.

2) This one is a bit more expensive LiteOn SHM-165P6S-02C Internal 16x Super Multi DVD Writer with spare black bezelits $66.

3) This one is about the cheapest at $44. Lite On SOHC-5235K CD-RW/DVD-ROM (Combo) Burner - Beige, and lastly

4) Samsung 16x16x8x6x48x32xDL Internal drive with LightScribe function DVDRW 8x4x Retail Kit Ivory with Nero software at $74.

I would be grateful if anyone could advise me on these ones as I would hate to buy the wrong thing and have to return it. There was more to choose from but I thought I would just list a selection of prices, I couldn't afford any more than these. Ann

[Dan18960]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the help, I'm in the UK, I've been looking at some on amazon but there's so many to choose from. I've been looking at these:

1) Sony CD-RW / DVD-Rom Internal Combination Burner and in dollars would be $54.

2) This one is a bit more expensive LiteOn SHM-165P6S-02C Internal 16x Super Multi DVD Writer with spare black bezelits $66.

3) This one is about the cheapest at $44. Lite On SOHC-5235K CD-RW/DVD-ROM (Combo) Burner - Beige, and lastly

4) Samsung 16x16x8x6x48x32xDL Internal drive with LightScribe function DVDRW 8x4x Retail Kit Ivory with Nero software at $74.

I would be grateful if anyone could advise me on these ones as I would hate to buy the wrong thing and have to return it. There was more to choose from but I thought I would just list a selection of prices, I couldn't afford any more than these. Ann

#2 and #4 are both DVD RW drives which is the ability to write to DVDs which you "may" want to look at.

I would suggest #4 since if you use the right DVDs you would be able to use the DVD RW drive to write labels on the DVD or CD (it will do both).

[ann8087]

Hi Dan, Thanks for your help, I was a bit unsure of what it all meant but as I am trying to learn and do as much as I can with my PC 4 sounds the best. I am disabled and my PC is like my life line. I am hoping the more I learn that perhaps I can use it for working from home or similar. Once again Thankyou.
Ann