Cannot read certain DVD's

modo77 · 31 Jan 2007 at 20:03

Not sure if this is a software or hardware issue. However my CD/DVD drive is not reading some disks (tried BF2 and HL2). However it reads Vista and a DVD of Tv progs. The Disks are fine as my laptop reads them fine. And I cannot test it in XP since I've not got it installed since building my new system this aft.

So this could be a Vista issue, or the new Motherboard I've got (ASUS P5N32-E SLI 680i). Guess its not Vista since I didn't have these issues in RC1/2.

Any ideas?

modo77 · 31 Jan 2007 at 20:20

Hmm connected up another DVD drive in place of the NEC and thats ok. Oddness.

Reality|Bites · 31 Jan 2007 at 23:32

Are the discs your using dual layer? Does your Drive support Dual layer?

modo77 · 1 Feb 2007 at 00:52

The drive with issues is dual layer, The disks and the working drive are single

FrankJH · 1 Feb 2007 at 09:34

What kind of dvd drive is it , manufacturer and model if poss?

I had several issues with an NEC (4550 or something I think) at one point - it just refused to be a bootable drive on one system, swapped it for an old tested dvd drive and system booted from Windows CD first time - now whether it was just a funny Windows Cd or a funny drive I have no idea

modo77 · 1 Feb 2007 at 09:37

Yep its that model. It did install Vista from the drive so it is working to some extent.

Dureth · 1 Feb 2007 at 11:41

I was having trouble with my DVD drive recently, reading some disks but not others, making coasters quite randomly. I swapped the IDE cable for a new one and all this cleared up.

If you have a spare cable about its worth trying, who knows if yours got a kink in it thats causing some intermitent problems.

Then again it may just be that the drive is on its way out. It is one of the few mechanical parts in your PC and as such will wear out over time.

modo77 · 1 Feb 2007 at 11:51

I'll give another cable a shot. Its just this has only happened since upgrading my motherboard/cpu/ram/video and to Vista.

jbloggs · 1 Feb 2007 at 12:39

modo77:

Also make sure you have your DVD rewriter flashed with the most recent firmware, as it may be a case of the specific media not being supported by present firmware.

modo77 · 27 May 2007 at 22:50

I'd given up on trying to sort this and completly forgot about it, I've just installed it on a mates pc (new install of windows). And it has the same problem. Wont play some original DVD's BF2, Oblivion. And I've installed the latest firmware.

Any ideas?