Perplexing DVD problem.

Alright, if you get this one, you get a cookie! Ok erm, anyway I've got this computer in here that's been back a ton of times, and I am so confused. It's running Win98, it has a DVD rom and a CDRW drive. Any time you put a DVD in, 9/10 times it gives you the blue screen that says "cannot read disc in drive X:, make sure its not dirty and try again". The CDRW also does it once in a while with any kind of cd, be it an audio or data disc. So far I have played around with windows and bios dma settings, replaced the cable, installed the latest via 4-in-1 service pack (this is a p3 running on a via chipset), and even went as far as replacing the motherboard. Am I missing anything, or is this thing possessed?

Thanks
/|rokh

next thing I would try is a known good dvd and cdrw drive..if those work, then either the current ones are damaged or the lens needs cleaning

Which cable are you using? 80 conductor or 40? Some CD/DVD/CDRW's don't like the 80.......especially if it is not orientated correctly.

Quote:

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Originally posted by DocPC
Which cable are you using? 80 conductor or 40? Some CD/DVD/CDRW's don't like the 80.......especially if it is not orientated correctly.

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They really won't like it if you put them in the wrong way around, as there is often a blank on pin 36, you'll break the ide connector on your drive, there is a little locator on 80 pin cables & newer 40 pin ones to stop you doin' just that...

Have they ever worked properly together?
Just a suggestion but try each drive individually or with another drive it could be an incompatbility problem.

Doh, I forgot to mention that I did put a new DVD drive in, but have not played with the CDRW. I will check it out tomorrow, I was just looking for suggestions.

The original cable was a 40pin, I put a new 80pin in, neither fixed the problem.

Thanks much!
/|rokh

what about booting to dos using a 98boot disk with CDROM support. Then try to read some CDs/DVDs and copy data off the drives onto the hard disk etc. DOS and real mode drivers should give you some inkling as to whether it's a windows issue (drivers corrupt files etc) or a hardware issue.

best of luck

OMG, your avatar looks just like my dog! Whats the url of the full picture so I can see it? :D

Ok so today I disconnected the CDRW, replaced the memory, and the power supply. Nothing, still does it. The problem isn't a matter of it not reading the disc, it just gives you the "please clean your cd" blue screen on autorun, but if you hit enter a few times, the disc will play just fine. I'm so confused!

/|rokh

Quote:

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Originally posted by kato2274
what about booting to dos using a 98boot disk with CDROM support. Then try to read some CDs/DVDs and copy data off the drives onto the hard disk etc. DOS and real mode drivers should give you some inkling as to whether it's a windows issue (drivers corrupt files etc) or a hardware issue.

best of luck

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Umm, have you actually tried cleaning the DVD player? You can get special disks that spin and clean the lens... or you can - if you are extremely careful, remove the case and clean the lens by hand.

I've replaced the drive with a brand new one, to no avail :\

/|rokh

Quote:

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Originally posted by NooNoo
Umm, have you actually tried cleaning the DVD player? You can get special disks that spin and clean the lens... or you can - if you are extremely careful, remove the case and clean the lens by hand.

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try the dirves in a good pc

Have you tried the greatest fix-all?

c:\>format c:
c:\>(cdrom):\
(cdrom):\>setup.exe

Works quite often in errors like this...which is why I don't save anything of value to my C: drive (I wipe it more often than my @$$)