Missing DVD/RW

Renee

Tog

Bits & pieces have been added to it
I.e I wanted to transfer vhs of my grandchildren to dvd so I had the bits put in & a dvd rw.

I think I'm quite up to date? as the guy who puts my bits in !! is genuine.

If you can tell me how to see what Iv'e got, I'll have a go

Toxteth_OGrady

Checking the connections on the back of the DVD drive is a very easy 2 minute job. There are only 2 (possibly but not always a 3rd audio connection).

The 2 main ones are power and IDE. They are both quick release. Just make sure each is firmly connected. I usually pull them off and push them firmly back on again.

If that doesn't do the trick then your drive has probably failed.

This guide should help and let you judge how easy or difficult an undertaking it may be.

If you get stuck just post back here for help.

8)

TOG

Renee

Thanks Tog

Printed off all what you said.
Had a couple of Vodka & Orange as I'm so fed up with the whole thing.
I will have a go in the am. It would be great if I can sort it out myself (with your help) I can then look the eldest grandson (18) in the eye & say 'beat that'

Ren

Toxteth_OGrady

Don't be daunted. Once you've done it once you'll realise it's about as quick and easy as changing a 13 Amp plug.

If you find any of ther steps not too clear I'm more than happy to post some close up pics of the inside of my own PC case to help you out.

8)

TOG

Renee

Tog

Did what you suggested but the drive must have gone because nothing different happened when I switched on.
I will have to speak to my computer man
Thanks for all your help & advice

Regards

Toxteth_OGrady

No problem

Couple of other things you could try before you have to pay somebody.

Firstly if you have another PC you could try the drive in there. It could also be a fault with the particular power connector (Molex) or ribbon (IDE) cable rather than the drive itself.

Because you know the power and IDE to the CD drive is good you could swap the 2 over. If the DVD works and the CD doesn't you will know it's a power lead or IDE cable problem. If you still get the same result you'll know the DVD is definitely dead.

To swop them just fit the DVD to the CD's connectors and vice versa. You may not have to move them if the cables are long enough. The only minor thing you will have to check is the jumper settings on the back of each drive because you may need to reverse the Master/Slave settings.

On the back of eacj drive you should see a small 6 pin socket with a tiny plastic shrouded connector covering 2 of the pins.

Kind of like : : : and probably marked 'M' 'SL' 'CS'

for Master, Slave and Cable Select respectively. When you swap set the CD to SL or CS and the DVD to M or CS.

Jumpers look like this

Change it like this

Socket will look like this

After you've swapped if the DVD works you'll know you've got a cable problem (probably IDE). Just buy a new cable and replace.

If the DVD doesn't work buy a new one and replace it yourself. You now know how to do it so why pay somebody

When you put the CD back in it's original place don't forget to set the jumper back to Master or Cable select.

HTH

8)

TOG

Joe_Bloggs

The chances are the laser diode has gone. You can instruct an empty drive to eject using My computer, right click on the drive and selecting eject. This can check the cabling to the drive is sufficient for it to respond to commands. If it can't read CD data then it is likely that the laser is dead or the lens is dirty. A new drive is probably the cheapest option as the latest models have more capability to write to different formats in a more competetive market compared to six months ago.
J_B.

Renee

Hi Tog and Joe
Sorry I've been so long in replying. Looked inside the tower again and I have three connections going in. Did it all over again and it 'works'
Thanks for saving me a lot of money

Toxteth_OGrady

No probs - glad you got it sorted.

Must've got through a fair old number of Vodka and Oranges before you got round to it! lol

:cool:

TOG