Upgrade DVD/CD drive software/firm, how

[bawldiggle]

Does the existing DVD/CD drive's driver have to be removed/uninstalled before upgrading. ?

Rig is 12 months old -- came with LG DVD/CD drive.
The current driver is Microsoft 21-Jun-2006. Yes 8 years old in a near new PC.

More and more DVDs will simply not load nor show on WinExp. And yet an older laptop happily handles the same DVDs.

1. Does the existing driver have to be removed/uninstalled ?
2. Can I use the manufacturers software or must I continue with MS driver ?

The DVD/CD performance has always been unreliable.

Would appreciate some steps "how to", thank you

 

[fireberd]

The only drivers for optical drives (CD/DVD) is the default built in Windows drivers.

The problem with DVD's not showing up is not the driver. Drives failing is a primary reason. A DVD requires a higher intensity laser beam than CD's and if the laser isn't ramping up to the required intensity that can be the problem. Drives are relatively inexpensive. I would replace the drive. If its still in warranty contact the PC vendor, if not just get one. In the US CD/DVD burner drives are less than $25 US.

 

[bawldiggle]

Thanks Fireberd for your response,

I will take your advice and replace the CD/DVD drive.
(Seems to me 12 months is a short life ... the drive is used for about 2-3 hours per day)

The only internal hardware I have ever touched since 1993 was a power supply replacement + a tiny battery.

Am I right in assuming ... ?

• Turn everything off and disconnect from power supply.
• Disconnect and remove old CD/DVD drive
• Insert and connect new CD/DVD drive
• Boot PC
  ... this is where I am inexperienced
• where or how do I then effect the correct up-to-date driver ?
  or is plug and play good enough

Just discovered on another 2 year old PC that the CD/DVD driver is the same vintage as the problem rig.

Driver:= Microsoft
Date:= 21-06-06
Driver version:= 6.1.7601.17514
​

I find it difficult to believe divers and hardware has not changed in 8 years.
Or is the driver only running the mechanicals and (come to think of it) other software manages read/write ?
eg, Reading: VLC

I appreciate your time and expertise

 

[fireberd]

There is no need to update a driver if it works. My CD/DVD drivers are 2006, too. Old adage, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

No 100% guarantee that a new drive will fix it, but is a good possibility.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Thanks Fireberd for your response,

I will take your advice and replace the CD/DVD drive.
(Seems to me 12 months is a short life ... the drive is used for about 2-3 hours per day)

The only internal hardware I have ever touched since 1993 was a power supply replacement + a tiny battery.

Am I right in assuming ... ?

• Turn everything off and disconnect from power supply.
• Disconnect and remove old CD/DVD drive
• Insert and connect new CD/DVD drive
• Boot PC
  ... this is where I am inexperienced
• where or how do I then effect the correct up-to-date driver ?
  or is plug and play good enough

Just discovered on another 2 year old PC that the CD/DVD driver is the same vintage as the problem rig.

Driver:= Microsoft
Date:= 21-06-06
Driver version:= 6.1.7601.17514
​

I find it difficult to believe divers and hardware has not changed in 8 years.
Or is the driver only running the mechanicals and (come to think of it) other software manages read/write ?
eg, Reading: VLC

I appreciate your time and expertise

You got it, just swap out the drive. Optical drives haven't changed in years, in fact they are a dieing breed. It won't be long and software well be delivered on memory cards.

Using 2-3 hours a day for 12 months is above average life from my experience. I had a dvd die 2 months ago, it was only 8 months old and very seldom used, it just quit reading the disc. Bought a new one, sent dead one in for warranty replacement, now I have two to swap out as they die. NE sells the asus dvd drive for $15 on sale.

 

[NoN]

Does the existing DVD/CD drive's driver have to be removed/uninstalled before upgrading. ?

Rig is 12 months old -- came with LG DVD/CD drive.
The current driver is Microsoft 21-Jun-2006. Yes 8 years old in a near new PC.

More and more DVDs will simply not load nor show on WinExp. And yet an older laptop happily handles the same DVDs.

1. Does the existing driver have to be removed/uninstalled ?
2. Can I use the manufacturers software or must I continue with MS driver ?

The DVD/CD performance has always been unreliable.

Would appreciate some steps "how to", thank you

Come with LG DVD/CD Drives, firmwares on their site with the LG model you've got. Those firmwares are also made to re-list compatible Dvds & Cds brands the optical drive can read/write.

My 12 months old LG Optical Combo-Drive received a firmware update v2. Nothing to do with drivers.