DVD drive failing to read DVD-RW's but reads other disks

[radostin04]

Recently my DVD drive has been doing something weird. When i insert a CD of any type, it works fine, when i insert a DVD which is not an RW, it works fine, but when i insert a DVD-RW, it does its normal loading sound, some cracking and then does a very weird noise, and i hear some spinning, and the same noise again. The disks that i am trying to load do work in other PC's, but not in mine. They never spin up. Although sometimes when my PC has been running for a very long time,when i load in the disk, it works perfectly fine. This is an really annoying problem for me as i still use optical media a lot

 

[RolandJS]

As weird as this will sound, sometimes an update of a security [anti-virus/anti-malware] program will reactivate a default of something to the effect of disabling auto-play, guard my cd-dvd, etc. You might want to check AV-AM to rule in or to rule out any such fiddling. When such fiddling is turned on my computer, I do lose some functionality until I DEactivate such fiddling.

 

[radostin04]

It is not a software problem. Booting from a bootable USB loaded with Hirens boot CD does the same thing

 

[radostin04]

Bump

 

[rvcjew]

What model optical drive is it? Sounds like its firmware has gone screwy or the laser might need cleaned.

 

[radostin04]

It is some LG drive. I have updated the firmware to the latest version. I really dont want to tear it apart just to clean the laser. But if the laser is dirty, wont it have problems reading any DVD, not just RWs

 

[rvcjew]

It is some LG drive. I have updated the firmware to the latest version. I really dont want to tear it apart just to clean the laser. But if the laser is dirty, wont it have problems reading any DVD, not just RWs

DVD R vs DVD RW - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
Write once formats use a single write laser to change a dye layer affecting the opacity of the dye. The laser darkens spots on the recording layer (dye layer) to record information. Rewritable media use a phase change recording layer where the write laser changes the polarization of the recording layer (usually a metallic material) by crystallizing it. In order to erase this layer so new data can be added, an erase laser (usually the recording laser refocused to be wider then that needed to record data) is used. This erasing function heats the layer causing it to become amorphous again as it was in the blank state.


Perhaps it can not refocus anymore, I do agree that that would not cause it to fail to read it however. Since it works occasionally it does seem it is a dying part that is mechanical. Also what do you mean by it is the same when booting from USB, it is causing your USB not to load?

 

[radostin04]

By booting from a USB i mean that it is not something related to Windows as it happens in other operationing systems

 

[OvenMaster]

The drive could very well be defective. I once had an NEC optical drive that would read or burn any DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, or CD-R... but would not see, recognize or write to CD-RW. Just six months old, too. Replacing the drive cured the problem.

 

[radostin04]

Looking at all the posts it looks like I will have to replace the drive. I really didnt want to do that as all technology is very expencive where I live.

 

[rvcjew]

Looking at all the posts it looks like I will have to replace the drive. I really didnt want to do that as all technology is very expencive where I live.

Are you able to use a place like this many on Reddit recommend it. LITE ON IHAS122 DVDRW 22x Super Multi SATA - ????.

 

[radostin04]

I might be able to.

 

[rvcjew]

I might be able to.

I converted it to USD and it was like 15 bucks I don't know if that is right though, what is considered a lot over there for a pc part? I imagine a brick and motor store would charge 30 bucks for that part.

 

[Layback Bear]

Here are other options.

Amazon.com: dvd player disc cleaner

Amazon.com: dvd player cleaner: Electronics

 

[radostin04]

Well, PC parts dont technically cost a lot, but the amount of money that you get from work is lower, and prices for stuff like food are lower. But prices for technology are based off the US dollar, so all technology looks really expencive.

 

[rvcjew]

Well, PC parts dont technically cost a lot, but the amount of money that you get from work is lower, and prices for stuff like food are lower. But prices for technology are based off the US dollar, so all technology looks really expencive.

Ah, I was wondering if it was something like that.