DVD Drive problems

from Elemental Forums

(Right forum?)

OS: Win Vista Home Premium (SP1) 32 bit (OEM)
PC: Asus F3K(something) laptop

It appears that my laptop's DVD drive refuses to run DVDs* but runs CDs just fine. It sounds like it would try to begin to read the disc but stops right away. Obviously this is an annoyance when it comes to gaming. Windows claims the device is working properly, re-installing the driver after removing it doesn't help. Updating the driver doesn't help either as Windows can't find an update. Is there something i could edit in the registery if it'd fix this (some months ago i had an autoplay problem, which was fixed by a small registry edit)?

I have no idea when the problem began, i mostly play on 360 but a few weeks ago i decided to play C&Cs again and inserted TFD disc but nothing happened, though i suspect the problem's older. Now i'm trying with C&C3 and after it refused to work, i tried with FO3, same result.
There's been some .ISO mounting programs earlier (for playing Mech Commander gold+2, which have been free for some years now) though after i stopped plaing those i removed the virtual drive programs. Could those be the reason the drive doesn't read DVDs?

*There are a couple of expections: The boot disc does run if the computer is booted using it AND the driver disc (DVD drive drivers aren't there) does run but i wonder if it truly is a DVD at all despite DVD being written on the disc.

I see the DVD drive (E:) in My Computer, and as i said CDs run fine. When i insert a DVD, nothing happens and if i double clikc the DVD drive icon, it claims that no DVD is inserted and opens the drive.

As far is i can tell, the driver is not replaceable. I do not own any external drives and don't know anyone who could lend me one. Buying one... well i'm relucant to do that, last resort.

I've been googling about the problem but no help, only similar problems but no answers applicateable to this.

Windows does not give any error messages nor does a yellow triangle appear in the hardware listings.

Would firmware update help? Could that have potential problems?

I will call/send email to the store i bought the laptop unless someone can provide a solution, though likely they will just redirect me to Asus support, right?

41,432 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The first and most important question 'is it still under warranty?'. 

If it isn't then take it to a reliable repair shop.

 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Yeah, it's under warranty. Problem is, i happen to need the computer, and i don't like idea of taking it to repairs, especially when i have no idea if the problem is a software or hardware one. If it's a software thing, i can fix it myself once i figure out what the problem might be (and naturally that's i'm asking help in very un-Finn way). I've got all the passwords, email, files and all that i need in this computer. And Elemental Beta (after i get around DLing the latest update).

I think the Windows recovery disc claimed that all the files in partitions of the HD will be lost, or something like that. True? I could try to get all the important stuff backed up and re-install/repair Vista and hope it'd fix the DVD drive, no?

 

Should i try to re-install/repair Windows from the recovery disc? I can backup the files i seriously need to an USB stick but what i don't know how to backup are Firefox settings, bookmarks, passwords, all that stuf; same with Thunderbird, there's stuff i need to secure but i dunno how. If this fixes the problem, a little inconvience caused by backing up some files is no problem.

EDIT, got bookmarks and FF passwords secured.

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

and hope it'd fix the DVD drive, no?

No [probably].

It's a very good chance your drive is faulty [mechanically].  They tend to be built to a price...not to a quality...and Laptop drives are 'delicate' at best...and easily damaged.

I'd expect you're in for a new [external] drive....;)

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Hmm... i probably have to go to visit some shops morning in any case, should i pick up an external DVD drive while there? Easiest way, if costlies, right? Repairs would be free due warranty but that'd take too long probably :/

I don't understand how could the drive be faulty mechanically so that it does not read DVDs but CDs run just fine o_O

 

Oh yes, one thing i wondered was that if Anti-Vir or some other program might be interfering with the drive.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Usually a good repair shop will run some diagnostics first to try and determine the problem.  It may show up as something simple or the drive may need to be replaced.  How long it will take depends on how busy they are, you could get lucky and get it back in a day.

I would hold off on getting an external drive until you find out what the problem is.  If the computer gets fixed would you really need the external drive?

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Getting the computer back in a day would be nice but...

I don't know a single repair shop in Helsinki. Though a Google search would probably solve that. And since it's still under warranty, taking the laptop to a repair shop sounds a bit stupid, how much do repairs even cost? An external drive is, at cheapest, roughly 50 euros.

In the end, it might be best to take this laptop to be repaired, considering it has a small crack on side (cosmetic) and its screens lock is a bit damaged and sometimes the GFX card goes nuts and puts red and blue lines to my screen, totally randomly and clearly this has nothing to do with Catalyst drivers... But if i do, i wonder what the hell i'm going to do during holidays :P :/

While the external drive is a bit of last resort, i'm looking for a quick fix to the problem, if possible. And no, i wouldn't need it.

 

EDIT, at least, and incredibly, i found a way to play C&C3 (a DVD version). I register it and DL through EA Download Manager. As much i despise it, i already have it due Spore and RA3+Uprising, so... But this leaves the DVD drive a problem still.

EDIT2 FFS! C&C3 CD key doesn't work for EADM...

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Google and see if there is a shop that can do warranty work for your make of computer.  Then a simple phone call may give you all the answers to the questions you have.  It couldn't hurt.  :sun:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't understand how could the drive be faulty mechanically so that it does not read DVDs but CDs run just fine

I've had a few fail DVD reading while still running OK with CDs....it's a common 'failure'....;)

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

MozBackup here will backup all your firefox and thunderbird settings including mail.

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Ausvet, reply 9
MozBackup here will backup all your firefox and thunderbird settings including mail.

Whoah, thanks man, that'll get use even if i don't re-install Windows.

 

EDIT, it seems that thing might be dirty. In this laptop, the laser's lens is in the disc sled. After wiping it seems that the drive is trying to read a DVD but not quite achieving it.

EDIT 2, it makes a lot sound now, though it seems to "cut" right after starting to, or trying to, spinning. Damn these almost but not quite moments...

EDIT3, man, after cleaning, trying, cleaning and trying it started working.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

EDIT3, man, after cleaning, trying, cleaning and trying it started working.

Good to see it resolved...;)