CD / DVD drive not working - very peculiar !

Ebe_Scrooge

I have a very peculiar problem. I have a Dell Dimension, quite old but working well, apart from one thing. It has a CD ROM drive and a DVD Reader drive, both of which have stopped working. They're made by Samsung if that makes any difference. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition.

Anyway, if I put a disc into either drive, it makes no attempt to read the disc. If I go into Windows Explorer and double-click the appropriate drive letter, it says no disc is inserted.

So I go through the standard Windows "troubleshooter" routine. At each step I just answer "That doesn't solve the problem". At one point in the troubleshooter, I can hear the disc starting to spin. But I continue through the troubleshooter, letting it do its checks but I don't actually take any actions. Device manager reports that the device is functioning correctly.

The troubleshooter comes to the end of its cycle, says there's nothing further it can do, and I close it. But then the drive is magically working and will read a disc ! So it's not actually done anything as such, but somehow it's kicked the drive back into life.

Sadly, after rebooting the drive is dead again, and I have to go through the whole process again.

I've tried uninstalling the drivers and letting Windows automatically reinstall them on booup. I've also searched for updated drivers, but there are no later drivers available.

Please can anyone help with this most annoying problem ?

John_Gray

Old CD/DVD drives can get dirty laser read/write heads. I've had some success with the "CD cleaners", which are CDs with tiny brushes stuck on the lower surface. About £7 in Tesco, and £? elsewhere.

On the other hand, the drives can simply fail, like any piece of electronics. Usually easily replaced if the front panel of the Dell Dimension, or the blanking plate, removes easily. Fortunately I haven't needed to do this with my Dimension 9300...

bobthedambuilder

I had a similar problem with the drive on my 4yr old Dimension 9200 - I bought a new one (Sony) from Amazon for about £13, arrived in 2 days, 5 minutes to replace the old drive, problem solved.

easyhost

yes with a machine that old it will just be a easier option to replace the drives as bobthedambuilder says a 5 minute job to replace

Ebe_Scrooge

Thanks for the replies. I do have a CD lens cleaner disc, so I'll give that a whirl first. I didn't realise a new drive would be that cheap, if I get no joy with the cleaner I'll have a hunt around Amazon as you suggest. Thanks again.

imho

You can always try this http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

s_b

i found a new drive solved a similar problem too

Toxteth_OGrady

Check your ASPI layer.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Other-VIDEO-Tools/ASPI-Checker.shtml

closed

have you installed anything recently, eg itunes?

JohnG

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

Check your ASPI layer.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Other-VIDEO-Tools/ASPI-Checker.shtml

Found this thread relating to similar problem to mine, except the tray won't even open and close automatically (Have used the paper clip in the hole method and opened it manually and then have to push it back in place).
The green light is on constantly and there are sounds suggesting it's doing something but nothing happens on screen - I can't even locate / on under My Computer - it's as if it's been disabled if that's possible?

TOG - you may recall you very kindly helped me resolve the internet problem I had with this (older) PC? Well I've just received a USB Wifi Adapter that I since ordered and which I wanted to use on this PC so that I can then put our new PC in it's permanent position (with the ethernet cable connection) but I cannot upload the software/driver as the DVD drive won't work. I wonder if this be something to do with my earlier messing about sorting out the internet problem?
I wanted to try this download (ASPI Checker) but I just can't seem to download it from the address you gave earlier on this thread.
Any thoughts? Anything I should check on my PC? I've had a look myself but can't see anything obvious.

It's not the end of the world as I could use the wifi adapter on the new PC instead (it does work on it) but I would really like to figure out why the DVD drive has suddenly stopped working and ideally fix it?