Solved Dell Inspiron laptop unable to read DVDs

PastorOfMuppets · Jul 9, 2012

Morning all,

From what I can see, this seems to be a fairly common problem across computers...

My Dell Inspiron n5010 (Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit) sporadically won't read DVDs. A couple of nights ago, it took a couple of tries - last night, I couldn't get it to play one at all.

Having looked for various fixes, I have tried the following:

-Updating drivers
-Disabling and re-enabling the drive in device manager
-Going into the registry to remove recommended entries (high/low filters i think? I only had the "high" option, which apparently means that fix isn't for me...)
-Uninstalling any DVD-burning software that may be interfering with my laptop's own DVD player/software.

I'm at a bit of a loss now, I'm not a complete moron when it comes to computers, but i have a fairly limited array of solutions which i am able to attempt before i must ask for help.

So, i apologise in advance if this has been posted before...but does anyone have any suggestions as to how i might fix this?

Many thanks,

Alex

solarmystic · Jul 9, 2012

Hello and welcome to the forums, PastorofMuppets! (I see you like Metallica too.)

You've mentioned DVDs, does that include CDs and any kind of other optical media too?

Do you have an external USB CD/DVD drive you can try to plug into your system to try out DVDs on?

If you do, try plugging it into your system via USB and playing a disc from the external drive.

PastorOfMuppets · Jul 9, 2012

Hi solarmystic, thanks for your reply. Haha yeah, I'm a fan of Metallica, amongst others!

Unfortunately I don't have a USB drive, no...

The problem is limited to playing DVDs - it recognises CDs just fine, for playing, importing, etc.

The issue just seems to be that the DVD isn't seen - if i put the DVD in, i can hear it spin up and try to read it, but it makes a rhythmic clunking noise every few seconds, almost as though it spins, then stops suddenly, then spins again, etc. In "My Computer", the DVD drive is listed, but even with a DVD in, double-clicking on it just ejects the DVD tray and gives me the prompt to inset a DVD...

Otherwise, in case it helps, my laptop recognises all other forms of media (be it another screen that's connected, an external HDD, USB sticks, etc).

solarmystic · Jul 9, 2012

It seems like the symptoms you're reporting are eerily similar to that of an impending mechanical optical drive failure, which, strangely enough, can affect only a certain subset of the Optical Disc Drive's capabilities.

So while it might seem strange, even bizzare that CDs load up just fine, and DVDs don't, (and it some cases, it can be the other way around). Either way, i asked about an external drive earlier on to rule out your OS giving issues and other possibilities.

You could try to get a Lens Cleaning Disc if you're so inclined to see whether it's just the problem of the Disc Lens being dirty, or if you want total satisfaction, if the laptop is still under warranty, send the laptop back for a Disc Drive replacement, or if it's not, replace the drive yourself using these guides below, if you're confident enough.

Lens Cleaning Disc

Hama DVD-ROM Laser Cleaning Disc: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Taking out and replacing the optical drive from the Dell™ Inspiron™ N5010/M5010 Service Manual

Documentation

Dell Inspiron 15R N5010 M501R M5010 Optical Drive Removal and Installation

A video detailing how it's done:-

PastorOfMuppets · Jul 9, 2012

Is this definitely the only option? The laptop is less than a year old and hasn't been damaged in any way. I'd be amazed (and a little worried) if a component such as this has stopped working already!

solarmystic · Jul 9, 2012

PastorOfMuppets said:
Is this definitely the only option? The laptop is less than a year old and hasn't been damaged in any way. I'd be amazed (and a little worried) if a component such as this has stopped working already!

I'd like to think so, considering the symptoms you've mentioned and also the fact that it's a rather global problem with ALL DVDs you've tried so far. If it were just one or two isolated DVDs, i'd be inclined to think differently.

It could be that you had the misfortune of receiving a substandard Optical drive from Dell when they built your system in the factory that had a reduced life expectancy...

In any case, we can definitively say that it is a mechanical drive problem with either the lens, or the other parts of the drive.

It is now up to you to decide on the next course of action from the list of suggestions I have written up in my previous post.

Hope that helps!

PastorOfMuppets · Jul 12, 2012

Okay. I reckon you're spot-on with the lens needing a clean - the other day, it worked again, but then promptly stopped the next day, so i took the disc out, and blew lightly on the lens, then tried again - worked instantly. I know blowing on it isn't exactly a recommended fix...but I think it points to alcohol and a Q-tip as the next course of action!

solarmystic · Jul 12, 2012

PastorOfMuppets said:
Okay. I reckon you're spot-on with the lens needing a clean - the other day, it worked again, but then promptly stopped the next day, so i took the disc out, and blew lightly on the lens, then tried again - worked instantly. I know blowing on it isn't exactly a recommended fix...but I think it points to alcohol and a Q-tip as the next course of action!

Thanks for the follow-up!

I'd stlll recommend a proper lens cleaning disc/method though...

PastorOfMuppets · Jul 14, 2012

Well yeah, I wasn't going to quote "blowing on it" as a permanent fix...When I have the time and patience, I'll give it a proper clean with a disc/rubbing alcohol.

PastorOfMuppets · Feb 22, 2014

Hopefully digging up my old thread is acceptable here, as I'm still having the same issue. CD/DVD drive reads and plays CDs, but not DVDs. The issue isn't the drive lens. I've tried using a USB DVD drive, which is recognised by the laptop, but still won't play DVDs. It appears as though my laptop has lost the ability to play a DVD from any input source. Trying to directly run the DVD through WMP (using the external USB drive) just shows "No Disk" in the external drive.

So, I wondered if anyone might have any suggestions as to why a laptop would be unable to play a DVD, regardless of the source?

jumanji · Feb 23, 2014

Now try the same USB DVD drive on another working PC. Try to play the same DVDs both on the internal optical drive and the USB DVD drive. Report what happens.

PastorOfMuppets · Feb 23, 2014

jumanji said:
Now try the same USB DVD drive on another working PC. Try to play the same DVDs both on the internal optical drive and the USB DVD drive. Report what happens.

Assuming the same USB drive and DVD are used here:

Another computer can play the DVD either using the optical drive or using the external usb drive - insert disc, autoplay function kicks in, dvd plays.

My laptop cannot detect a dvd in either drive. When I use my laptop's optical drive, the disc spins up, but at no point does the laptop recognise a dvd is in there. When I use the external usb drive, the laptop recognises the external drive (shows up as E:\ in "My Computer"), but again cannot detect the presence of a DVD disc.

jumanji · Feb 23, 2014

Have you at anytime thought of reinstalling Windows from the Dell Recovery Disks/OEM disk/ and in their absence a clean install and activation with the sticker COA key (assuming it is still readable)?

What is your take on this as a means of possibly resolving this problem?

PastorOfMuppets · Feb 23, 2014

jumanji said:
Have you at anytime thought of reinstalling Windows from the Dell Recovery Disks/OEM disk/ and in their absence a clean install and activation with the sticker COA key (assuming it is still readable)?

What is your take on this as a means of possibly resolving this problem?

Well yeah it's something I could try, I have the recovery disks (somewhere). Seems very OTT for what should be a simple problem I'd have thought.

To be honest, if that was literally the only option, I'd probably just leave it and settle for having a laptop with no DVD functionality.

I just can't get my head around why my laptop would just randomly lose the ability to detect a DVD, but nothing else. All USB ports are fine, it can read CDs and data disks. Just not a DVD. I was sold on the idea of the drive being faulty/needing cleaning/needing replacing, but then the external drive didn't work either...

jumanji · Feb 23, 2014

There are inevitably certain class of problems which are not amenable for a diagnosis from a distance.

What will be required in these cases is a physical examination by knowledgeable professionals who can try hardware substitution and detailed OS examination to arrive at a diagnosis and implement remedial measures. At times it goes by trial and error.

The manufacturer and their support team may well be aware of certain problems that may frequently creep into their machines. I do not know where you live and how reachable is DELL Technical support. If it is, you can access them for their views on this problem and any solutions.That is another option before you go ahead with a reinstall.

PastorOfMuppets · Feb 23, 2014

jumanji said:
There are inevitably certain class of problems which are not amenable for a diagnosis from a distance.

What will be required in these cases is a physical examination by knowledgeable professionals who can try hardware substitution and detailed OS examination to arrive at a diagnosis and implement remedial measures. At times it goes by trial and error.

The manufacturer and their support team may well be aware of certain problems that may frequently creep into their machines. I do not know where you live and how reachable is DELL Technical support. If it is, you can access them for their views on this problem and any solutions.That is another option before you go ahead with a reinstall.

Yeah I'd considered taking it in, but ultimately the problem is either going to be something silly (i.e. a box needs ticking, drivers aren't installed correctly, etc) or a hardware issue (i.e. a faulty drive which needs replacing). The latter would be cheaper than having a tech look at it (my warranty with Dell has expired).

I'll continue to look into it, I just wanted to touch base here again to see if anyone had any fresh ideas I hadn't considered. Thanks for your input.

jumanji · Feb 23, 2014

As you said it may be quite a simple thing which we may have overlooked.

We still do not know what DVDs you were trying to play. If those are copy-protected movie DVDs, check the region code setting for your drive by going into Device Manager and looking into properties of the optical drive.

You may also check your drive with data DVDs and see whether you can access.

If it is a burner, put a blank DVD-RW and check whether it is recognised and you can burn.

PastorOfMuppets · Feb 24, 2014

jumanji said:
As you said it may be quite a simple thing which we may have overlooked.

We still do not know what DVDs you were trying to play. If those are copy-protected movie DVDs, check the region code setting for your drive by going into Device Manager and looking into properties of the optical drive.

You may also check your drive with data DVDs and see whether you can access.

If it is a burner, put a blank DVD-RW and check whether it is recognised and you can burn.

Oh - I was trying to play media DVDs (i.e. a film/TV show/etc). They are legal copies, and the region is definitely correct.

The drive recognises a blank DVD (it automatically asks me if I want to write to it) and also recognises a DVD that has been written as a data disc (i.e. that has my itunes backup on).

The only thing it won't see/play is a media DVD such as a film or TV show. It's as though there isn't even a DVD in the drive.

PastorOfMuppets · Mar 18, 2014

I'd just like to update this with a fix - I have managed to restore my laptop's DVD-playing capabilities!

Having used DVD burning software in the past (Nero, Daemon Tools, etc), I wondered whether something might have messed up my drive allocations, permissions, etc. I opened up Disk Management in the Computer Management window, found the DVD drive, and remapped the drive letter to something that wasn't in use. Accepted all the changes, then reverted the mapping back to the original letter, and voila - fixed.

jumanji · Mar 18, 2014

An unusual fix that worked. Good that you experimented with changing the drive letters. It still does not explain why an external DVD drive, which definitely would have got a different drive letter would not play DVDs.(Quite possible that the Daemon devoured those as stated below.

)

Whatever, my suspicion for all your woes centers squarely on Daemon Tools. It is known to create problems. Go to settings and disable creation of number of virtual drives. Enable it only when you want to use them. A better alternative will be Slysoft's Virtual Clone drive. Check whether it will satisfy your needs.
SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive

I would suggest that you periodically do a drive cleanup to remove all non-present drives, drive letters associated with such devices and registry entries pertaining to those. http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/315247-nagging-non-existant-drive.html#post2626259

I shall be curious to know what all non-present devices it removed on its first run. Post a screenshot of the Window that gives out those details, if you can.

Happy viewing.

Solved Dell Inspiron laptop unable to read DVDs

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