Busted DVD player/reader

MBuzzy

Grandmaster
MTS Alumni
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
5,328
Reaction score
107
Location
West Melbourne, FL
I have a computer that the DVD player/reader no longer works. It will read program CDs and audio CDs no problem. It will also still burn CDs, but it doesn't recognize DVDs at all, it just behaves as if there is no disc at all in the drive. Any ideas? Could it just be software? Hardware?

EDIT: And yes, I'm sure that it is in fact a DVD player in the first place. It even says so on the outside of the reader....we've watched DVDs on it before.
 

Steve

Mostly Harmless
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
21,920
Reaction score
7,475
Location
Covington, WA
I have a computer that the DVD player/reader no longer works. It will read program CDs and audio CDs no problem. It will also still burn CDs, but it doesn't recognize DVDs at all, it just behaves as if there is no disc at all in the drive. Any ideas? Could it just be software? Hardware?

EDIT: And yes, I'm sure that it is in fact a DVD player in the first place. It even says so on the outside of the reader....we've watched DVDs on it before.
I may be wrong, but it seems like there are two different mechanisms in a dual drive. The CD laser is different from the DVD laser. So it's possible that the DVD mechanism failed while the CD is working fine.
 

jks9199

Administrator
Staff member
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
23,473
Reaction score
3,795
Location
Northern VA
Have you tried re-installing or updating the drivers? Something may just be corrupted there...

Also... dumb question, but could a connection be loose?
 
OP
MBuzzy

MBuzzy

Grandmaster
MTS Alumni
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
5,328
Reaction score
107
Location
West Melbourne, FL
yep, updated drivers and windows found both the CD reader and the DVD reader, but the DVD reader still won't function.

It could be a connection....honestly, I just haven't been brave enough to open it up yet.
 

donna

Black Belt
Joined
Feb 13, 2006
Messages
650
Reaction score
16
Location
Australia
I may be wrong, but it seems like there are two different mechanisms in a dual drive. The CD laser is different from the DVD laser. So it's possible that the DVD mechanism failed while the CD is working fine.
This is most likely your problem, I have come across this same thing a few times and in each case it has been the DVD laser.
 

Cryozombie

Grandmaster
MTS Alumni
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
9,998
Reaction score
206
It's Broke.

Go get a new one. 10 minute install.
 
OP
MBuzzy

MBuzzy

Grandmaster
MTS Alumni
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
5,328
Reaction score
107
Location
West Melbourne, FL
It's Broke.

Go get a new one. 10 minute install.

I thought that when I had mine, and I had someone boot up linux on my computer, access the drive that way and it worked from then on.....but I don't have that option any more.
 

Shicomm

Purple Belt
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
364
Reaction score
14
Location
The Netherlands
Seems like the PUH ( Pick Up Head ) is busted. Just replace the drive , you're able to get a new one for about 25 bucks ;)
 

Latest Discussions

Top