DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CDs

DVD-ROM suddenly (it can read/write CDs/DVDs few days ago)


PROBLEM
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cannot read DVDs, but
can write on empty DVDs

can read/write CDs
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OS: Windows XP SP3
DVD-Rom: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223C


Tried:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#fixit4me
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#nextsteps
-----i cant see the upperfilters & lowerfilters----
-----when i run the microsoftfixit, it just loads and then exits itself-----

I've read & tried the applicable suggestions on these forums:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=197909
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=190216

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

I don't burn much of anything, but when I have needed to, I have found it difficult. Got XP SP3 too, and what I have done is try to find software that will pick up the drives correctly. For example, I have one drive currently that reads in Windows as a DVD ROM, but it's a CD/DVD +/- burner. I had success with CDBurnerXP for a little while, then it wouldn't work, so I switched to Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012, which I got free on a giveaway. I know it works, because I just burned a couple of rescue disks recently. I have heard that the same software version 6 works real well and is free, but I haven't tried it, so I can't say.

Maybe if you try a few burner programs, you'll run across one that will work...

Just to add...I've had to be persistent to be able to burn. Most of the time, when it has worked, it took numerous efforts to get it do so. This could mean trying one program, then another, and so on...

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

Any chance you have the drive letter for the DVD player mapped?

Go to My Computer, select Disconnect Network Drive.
See if perchance the drive letter is being used, if so disconnect.

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

It may work with a different brand DVD. They are all supposed to be the same but in the real world ...

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

Another thing you might try is flashing the firmware for the drive. I've got an NEC ND-6650A (the hyphen might be in the wrong place) modular bay drive on my Dell Precision M70 running XP Pro SP3. I had the same type of problem and flashing the DVD drive's firmware solved it.

I'm using Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 (the freeware version) because I was having problems with CDBurner XP hanging if there were any errors during verification of the burn.

Also, my drive will not successfully burn to Memorex DVD-RW. I've had to use DVD+RW with the Memorex brand.

I've since gone to all Verbatim for my recordable media.

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

ive tried it and says:

"you have no network drives to disconnect"

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

the DVDs that I've tried today

DID work last time, before i formatted the computer.

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

how did u do it:
flashing the DVD drive's firmware

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

Please define what you mean by reading DVD's. Is it data or movies, or both. Only asking as XP didn't have the native ability to play movies. And you mentioned that you reformatted recently, so perhaps some software wasn't reinstalled at the time.

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

both data and movies.

last year, i formatted this computer and found this DVD-rom WORKING.
just this time the problem occured.

but i found a suggestion on the other forums, w/c I doubt to apply:
it is to clean the lens of DVD-Roms

should i do that?

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

Go to your computer manufacturer's support site and enter the serial number of your computer. You should then be able to download software and manuals for your computer. One of the downloads should be for the DVD±RW drive's firmware. Run it and restart your computer.

Or, if the drive wasn't original to the computer, go to the drive's manufacturer support site and download any updates they may have. Then do the same — run it/them and restart your computer.

 

Re: DVD-ROM sudden cant read DVDs, but itcan write on empty DVD and can read/write CD

There are computer laser lens cleaners available at places like RadioShack and Best Buy. It wouldn't hurt to run one of those periodically.

I read in another forum about cleaning the lens while using a stereoscopic microscope (not many people have those) and/or taking pictures with a digital camera and zooming in on the image on the computer — but it was for a DVD/hard drive combo unit.