Broken DVD drive??

[Neil Toulouse]

Hi!

Due to an on-going virus issue that I could just not get rid of (had a clean system for 3 years until very recently!), I decided the best cause of action would be to format the drive and start again.

Anyway, literally at the point I had finished installing my applications etc, my DVD-ROM/burner no longer appears to read any discs (DVD or CD), of any kind!

I have had it a while so it could have easily packed up, but being such a coinidence that it gave up the ghost at the point it did (ie when I had finished the rebuild), I was wondering if there is anyway it could be tested before I rush out and buy a new one? As in, could there be a software issue causing the problem?

The tray opens and closes and the LED flashes when a disc is inserted (like it is trying to do something), but nothing appears (as in the drive icon does not change to indicate a disc is present).

Another 'odd' thing is that if I double-click on the drive icon in Explorer (with a disc in), it brings up a blank window NOT the "Please insert a disc.." message I would expect if it is not reading a disc.

Anyway, I hope this makes sense and that someone could help.

I am running XP if it that's of any help and have 'fully' updated it via 'Windows update' to SP3 and beyond

TIA
Neil

I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours...

 

[kjv1611]

Well the easiest way to narrow down between hardware/software would be to attempt to boot from the optical drive. Assuming you have your BIOS settings still to boot first from CD, then put in your Windows CD, and restart. If you get the message "Press any key" for starting Windows setup, then the drive is working. If not, it's kerplunked, and you need a new one. < $25 for a DVD burner at NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005 1036506653&name=DVD Burner

If it is hardware, it simply isn't worth trouble-shooting. Just replace it.

If it isn't the hardware related (I'm sort of suspicious it's not), then it could simply be an application you installed with your new setup. For instance, any program for silencing or quietening your optical drive... also any burning/imaging apps could be the culprit(s).

As an example, on our home Toshiba laptop, the program that Toshiba includes to control the speed and therefore loudness of our DVD burner often causes the drive to not read disks. So all I did was uncheck it under MsConfig's Startup tab, and it's fixed. Of course, removing the software would work as well. I've also read where others had similar issues with other programs.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Neil Toulouse]

Thanks for the info! I will treat myself to a new drive then me thinks!

I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours...