Why does m y dvd drive not recognize dvds, only cds? Help Fix!

I have had my computer for over 5 years now, never had this happen so not sure what to do so figured I'd ask my favorite Geeks, everyone on here cause your always so helpful.

Ok, my dvd-rom/cd-rw drive isn't recognizing dvds to play in my computer, when I stick them in nothing happens doesn't ask if I want to play the movie or look at the files or anything. Even if I go into "my computer" it says there isn't a disk in there. But when I stick a program cd like my lexmark printer driver or a music cd, it responds instantly asking what I want to do with it. What do I do to fix this, frustrating not being able to watch movies? Never had it happen before. Its a memorex dvdrom/cd-rw, sorry don't have access to the model # right now, on a different comp.

 

A truly geeky answer:cool
DVD uses 650nm wavelength laser diode light as opposed to 780 nm for CD or 405 nm for HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc. This permits a smaller pit to be etched on the media surface (1.32 µm for DVD versus 1.6 µm for CD) compared to CDs.

I think (usually gets me in troublerolleyes) that they either burn or read with different lasers ..so one can work while the other is disabled.

P

 

ummm ok ya that was a geeky answer, but it also doesn't help me out at all. Need to know how to correct it & make it read dvds again so I can watch and burn on that drive. It doesn't even say its a dvd-rom drive in my computer anymore, so need so help with this plz.

 

Does it work OK in another Rig, if you install to another Com and it works Ok it could be a Windows prob on the errored one.

 

Hi datboytaz,

You might want to consider buying a new DVD drive like this one. Free S/H also. If your drive is 5 yrs. old it might be time to replace it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228

 

well the drive itself is only about a year & half. was wondering if there is a way to check thru windows and make it recognize it properly. I've tried updating my drivers for it, nothing.

 

I had a similar problem once and tried it in another pc it worked fine, I think all I came up with was the cable going to the Mobo. Try it in another PC, and if it works.

Or just go crazy and spend the $40 on a new one.

 

If the drive stopped recognizing DVD's then that laser probably stopped working. I had a CD/DVD burner in my system that stopped recognizing CD's. I replaced the drive with a new one and all was good again.

The drives have 2 lasers in them, 1 for DVD's and 1 for CD's, so 1 or the other or both can go bad on ya.

 

Hi mirack,

BTW, that drive on Newegg is only $20.

 

My friend had a similar problem with his laptop, but opposite: his DVD-drive won't read CD's, only DVD's. The problem wasn't solved as far as i remeber.

 

whoops had forgotten about this one a while ago. oh well had gotten it fixed by wiping the hard drive. thanks for the insights tho