Muliple Systems Don't Recognize DVD/CD's Arghhh....

Vista really has me scratching my head. All of my computers (3) that run Vista just don't like to recognize CD/DVD's. When I insert a disc Vista believes it to be blank and wants to format. I will attempt a refresh, reinsertion of the disc, etc. no luck. Occasionally, for some random reason unknown to me, the system will recognize the disc.

This is maddening, and I believe it to be a Vista issue as opposed to a hardware issue as it happens across multiple computers. Is this a know issue? If so, what can I do to fix it.

Thanks for any help.

 

Check Device Manager. Do you show any ! or ? on your optical drives?

 

Is this just happening with just certain discs or does it do it with all cd/dvd's, because i've never known it to be an issue with Vista per-se' !

 

Nope, no icons next to the DVD/CD drive under the Device Manager. The system is reading it as installed correctly; the correct manufacturer and model is listed next to the drive. I have not installed any DVD/CD burning software.

After I thought about it and did some research online, I think I recall fixing this on my wife's computer via the Microsoft Automated Help Wizard (or whatever the official name is). I tried that route but the Automated Installer hangs and the Powershell install hangs. So not dice there (For some reason no Autoupdates work on my computer, Defender, Windows Update, etc. despite turning off Firewall, Virus Software, etc.).

After posting here I did glean some info regarding high and low filter conflicts, but I don't know anything about that - although I could easily complete the process with a how-to.

And yes, it does do this with DVD's and CD's.

Thanks again for any help.

 

Okay fellow Geeks - I tried this:

http://www.icompute.info/cd_drive_not_in_windows.htm

Basically I went into the registry and deleted a filter file. I should have maybe, ahem.... done a little more research to validate the authenticity and sincerity of this procedure but I read it on the internet so it has to be true, right?).

Anyway, no luck. Still the same. Funny thing is a few hours ago I managed to force Vista to recognize Modern Warfare 2 and begin an install from disc 1. Of course, upon inserting disc 2, I could not force the computer into recognizing the second disc. More arghhhhhh.

More way than one way to skin a cat - I went into Steam, and luckily I managed to finish the install online via Steam as I had already entered my serial number to initiate the install.

I am pretty sure the drive itself is working properly, as Vista does recognize it. I might try a device uninstall for starters. If that does not work, maybe a firmware update if possible, or more research regarding high/low filters.

Any more input based on that info?

Thanks!

 

Are we talking about store bought CD/DVDs or ones that have been burned on a CD/DVD writer? Home burned CD/DVDs can be tricky if the burner is getting old. The disc may be readable on the PC that burned it but not recognized on other PCs (I guess because of laser calibration).

 

I have not attempted a blank disc of any media; DVD or CD since my trouble began. I have been troubleshooting in response to game/app discs only. I guess I could try a burn to see what happens to check for hardware integrity. I am pretty sure I did burn a DVD a few weeks back and at the time I was experiencing intermittent problems at the time.

Thanks for bringing that aspect to my attention, I did not even think about trying that to eliminate possible problems.