Perplexing DVD problem.

[arokh]

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

[geoscomp]

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

[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.

[confus-ed]

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.

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...

[Archer]

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

[arokh]

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

[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

[arokh]

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

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

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

[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.

[arokh]

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

/|rokh

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.

[Crazy02]

try the dirves in a good pc

[Archangel42069]

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 @$$)