DVD not reading CDs (similar but different)

[acornhp]

Hi all,

Brand new here so I apologize now for any inconvienence.

I have searched the backlog a bit for something on my particular problem and there were _some_ answers. However, I wanted to see if my particular problem was any more/less complex.

I have a Dell Inspiron 4000 that I got off of a friend (yup, no system disks...) with Windows XP already installed. The problem is that I have only gotten the DVD-ROM to read cds only once. It was right after I downloaded Service Pack 2. Now I am back to being able to read DVDs, but not music/data disks.

When I double click on the DVD icon I get "this disk is not formatted" error message.

Any thoughts if its just a driver or if I need to do something else differently? I am willing to hack away (since it was free I am willing to beat it up a bit).

One post indicated that the DVD and the CD opticals are different and that this could be the problem. I just dont understand why it worked for that short time after SP2 was installed.

Any help would be appreciated. If I need to buy something else, can you suggest?

Aaron

[CeeBee]

Try to see if it reads a manufactured CD. If you don't hear the disc spinning and picking up speed (and holding it for few seconds at least) after you insert it, then try to clean it (using a cleaning CD). If it still doesn't work it's defective. I have to admit I have seen a huge number of defective drives recently, so don't be surprised.

[acornhp]

Originally Posted by CeeBee

Try to see if it reads a manufactured CD. If you don't hear the disc spinning and picking up speed (and holding it for few seconds at least) after you insert it, then try to clean it (using a cleaning CD). If it still doesn't work it's defective. I have to admit I have seen a huge number of defective drives recently, so don't be surprised.

Ok, well I tried listening this time and it picks up (wirr-hummm, wirr-hummm) and finally gives up. I have seen some postings about updating the firmware, but I only have a USB floppy so I can't get it to boot to that.

Anywho, the weirdest part was that the drive picked up, read the disk, played it. Then I started Itunes, it read it. Closed, ejected in anticipation of getting to install office - finally - and it wouldnt read again.

I did try changing from DMA to PIO, which is when it first worked. I dont know if any of these situations have ANYTHING to do with it.

Anywho. If anyone has recommendations on what to replace this drive with, I would appreciate it.

Aaron

[NooNoo]

If you have the service tag for the dell, then go here and enter it

That will list all the available downloads, you are particularly interested in bios updates, chipset patches and firmware updates.

Did office install ok?

[CeeBee]

Originally Posted by acornhp

If anyone has recommendations on what to replace this drive with, I would appreciate it.

Anything should work. You can get a CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+/-RW... depends on what you want. They all seem to be cheap and bad these days, regardless of the brand. You might have more luck with a newer brand that is trying to get more market share. I know for a fact that some "brand-name" drives are made by a no-name company and then "branded" (SONY does it sometimes for example).
But before replacing it try to clean the optical system with a cleaning CD.

[confus-ed]

Originally Posted by CeeBee

Try to see if it reads a manufactured CD..

Yeah .. but not like you said , eliminate any potential 'windows madness' by testing your unit by trying to boot from an M$ system CD (any o/s will do & don't let any setup routine go too far !)..

The 'intermittent' nature of this, says to me 'dirty' or software setup & not unit failure, going & buying a new (even cheap) unit may leave you just where you are now...

[CeeBee]

Originally Posted by acornhp

I tried listening this time and it picks up (wirr-hummm, wirr-hummm) and finally gives up.

That is unit failure, unrelated to any windowze madness.

[confus-ed]

Originally Posted by CeeBee

That is unit failure, unrelated to any windowze madness.

Or a dirty lens, or a dirty cd ! - its this bit makes me think it wants to work ..

..the weirdest part was that the drive picked up, read the disk, played it. Then I started Itunes, it read it...

I just don't want him running away & spending cash un-necessarily - this unit could well be failing, but then again ...