DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs

S1lentTwo · 03-06-2009, 11:21 AM

Hello,

My DVD drive does not recognize DVDs. It is an old drive and I'm wondering if it is just dead, or what. My computer is a Dell Dimension 4600 that came with a CD/RW drive and a seperate DVD drive. The CD drive still works fine, but the DVD drive does not. It has power and everything, but is unable to detect any DVDs. Windows detects the drive, but it appears that the BIOS doesn't. When I set the IDE master, slave, etcs that aren't enabled to 'AUTO' I get a 'diskette drive 0 seek failure' error. The IDE cable connected to the DVD drive is indeed labeled 'drive 0'. I've tried unplugging and replugging in the drive's cables and to no avail. I have noticed that windows interestingly has the DVD drive as both D and F, if that is relevant.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**Strider** · 03-06-2009, 12:33 PM

Try to disconnect the working CD drive and use that IDE cable to connect the DVD drive. See if that is working.

S1lentTwo · 03-06-2009, 02:16 PM

Good suggestion, thank you, unfortunately I tried it and still no dice.

**bakuryu** · 03-06-2009, 05:27 PM

then most probably your DVD drive is damaged. but just to confirm it's not the cables, attach the working CD drive to the cables of the DVD drive and check if it's working.

S1lentTwo · 05-06-2009, 01:32 AM

I switched the cables and yes, the CD drive still works. Looks like I'll be investing in a new DVD drive.

Thanks for your help

hayden · 10-06-2009, 04:13 AM

If the drive gets two letters assigned to it then it may be a DVD-RAM drive. These are usually made by Panasonic. One letter is for DVD-RAM cartridges and one for DVDs. If you click on the letter assigned for DVD-RAMs while inserting a regular DVD it will complain. Try the other letter. Also, if it IS a DVD-RAM drive, it's worth far more than a simple DVD drive so don't toss it;-) Also, can you read a CD in it (try both drive letters)?

03-06-2009, 11:21 AM	#1
S1lentTwo Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Age: 23 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs Hello, My DVD drive does not recognize DVDs. It is an old drive and I'm wondering if it is just dead, or what. My computer is a Dell Dimension 4600 that came with a CD/RW drive and a seperate DVD drive. The CD drive still works fine, but the DVD drive does not. It has power and everything, but is unable to detect any DVDs. Windows detects the drive, but it appears that the BIOS doesn't. When I set the IDE master, slave, etcs that aren't enabled to 'AUTO' I get a 'diskette drive 0 seek failure' error. The IDE cable connected to the DVD drive is indeed labeled 'drive 0'. I've tried unplugging and replugging in the drive's cables and to no avail. I have noticed that windows interestingly has the DVD drive as both D and F, if that is relevant. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

03-06-2009, 12:33 PM	#2
Strider Founder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Last City Zion! Posts: 3,876 Thanks: 371 Thanked 411 Times in 356 Posts Rep Power: 67 OS:	Re: DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs Try to disconnect the working CD drive and use that IDE cable to connect the DVD drive. See if that is working. __________________ Want to ask a question? Try This! A guide on how to post a question, reply to a post etc.

03-06-2009, 02:16 PM	#3
S1lentTwo Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Age: 23 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs Good suggestion, thank you, unfortunately I tried it and still no dice.

03-06-2009, 05:27 PM	#4
bakuryu ƒ(ψ)=Θº×φ Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Age: 24 Posts: 6,621 Thanks: 19 Thanked 649 Times in 605 Posts Rep Power: 87 OS:	Re: DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs then most probably your DVD drive is damaged. but just to confirm it's not the cables, attach the working CD drive to the cables of the DVD drive and check if it's working. __________________ Please don't click here

05-06-2009, 01:32 AM	#5
S1lentTwo Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Age: 23 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs I switched the cables and yes, the CD drive still works. Looks like I'll be investing in a new DVD drive. Thanks for your help

10-06-2009, 04:13 AM	#6
hayden Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs If the drive gets two letters assigned to it then it may be a DVD-RAM drive. These are usually made by Panasonic. One letter is for DVD-RAM cartridges and one for DVDs. If you click on the letter assigned for DVD-RAMs while inserting a regular DVD it will complain. Try the other letter. Also, if it IS a DVD-RAM drive, it's worth far more than a simple DVD drive so don't toss it;-) Also, can you read a CD in it (try both drive letters)?

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DVD drive doesn't recognize DVDs

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