Combo Drive won't play DVD's

[PhotoOpp]

My daughter built her computer and included a LG Electronics GCC-4520B COMBINATION CD-REWRITABLE + DVD-ROM DRIVE.

Her computer is made up as follows:

- Motherboard: GigaByte Ga 7N400L
- Processor: Athlon XP 2500 - 333 MHz (bus speed)
- Ram: 2 x Platinum 256 Meg DDR, 400MHz
- Hard Drive: Maxtor 40 Gig
- Video Card: Radeon 9200, 128MB (made by Atlantis)
- Sound Card: built-in
- OS: Windows XP Pro

The problem is that her drive handles all CD functions properly (including reading and writing) but will not read DVD's!

Any ideas on what could be wrong? Is it possible to install a combo drive like this incorrectly which would only have the CD functions working? Is there some way to test the unit?

 

[BadBigBen]

Some Combo drives use a DUAL LASER HEAD, one for CD operations and the other for DVD... so one could be bad... there is no way that you could hook up the drive wrong and one thing working and the other not...

but what exactly is she experiencing? Can't read DVD DATA DISKS or can't view a movie? in the last case it might help installing a progie like PowerDVD or WinDVD...

Ben


If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...

 

[PhotoOpp]

She has PowerDVD installed and when she tries to view a movie it tells her that there is no disk.

LG's technical service replied to my email as follows:

"Reinstall the decoder program so that you can view DVD disks properly. If you do not have decoder software you can go to gocyberlink.com and get the "Power DVD" program as it is compatible with the drive."

I will try this and see if it corrects the problem. I will post the result.

Thanks...

 

[rotaman]

It sounds like your drive might be faulty. If the software change doesn't help, I would try another drive and see if there are any problems with that. It's a pain, but at least that way you will be setting on it being either a hardware or software problem.

 

[cdogg]

Even if you didn't have PowerDVD installed, you should still be able to open Windows Explorer (Start->Programs->Accessories) and browse the contents of the DVD. If you can do this, then it's not a hardware issue but likely a software one.

Question: Did it work before at one point and just stopped?


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[PhotoOpp]

My daughter tried to reinstall PowerDVD and still got the same result.

To answer a few of the questions:
(1) in Windows Explorer when she has a CD in the tray she can see the file structure but when she has a DVD in nothing happens as though there was no media in.

(2) It apparently has never worked...

I am concluding that it is a hardware problem... we will call the manufacturer.

Thanks...

 

[cdogg]

Yes, that does sound like a hardware issue.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[ceh4702]

While this may be a hardware issue, sometimes it is something internal in the operating system like the registry having errors. If the company has a diagnostic program for their drive they may have a download for it on their website. You may try to get an RMA on this device either from the retailer (try retailer first) or from the Manufacturer which will take longer. Often a company will require you download and run a diagnostic program prior to giving you the RMA to return the product.

I have had good luck with cdrw's from Lite-On and have also owned a LG CDRW. Both are still working right now. I also have a CDROM/DVDROM made by MSI that worked pretty well.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.