BleepingComputer.com: CD/DVD Drive won't play DVDs!

Hi,

I was recently burning a couple of files through Nero, but wanted to cancel it. So, I pressed Cancel, but then my laptop froze. So, I had to close it using Ctrl + Alt + Del to force it to close since it wasn't responding for a long time. It ultimately closed the program, but when I tried running the DVD again after that, it couldn't. I tried a CD with songs on it and it worked, but not the DVD or any other DVDs for that matter. I hear the disc spinning inside the disc drive, but nothing pops up or runs. I've also tried the same DVD disc on my friend's computer and it worked on his, so that's why I'm guessing it's a disc drive problem and not the actual disc itself.

If you have any idea how I can fix it or suggest something that might help, please feel free! I'm open to anything.

Thanks so much in advance!!!

my guess is the DVD lens is broke or messed up. You could try running one of those computer cd/dvd cleaners in it, that may fix it but my guess is (its only a guess, I dont know enough about ur system or its settings to be sure) but my guess is u need a new drive.

Try uninstalling the drive in the Device Manager and then reboot. The installation wizard will recognize it as new hardware and will install new drivers for it.

Hey,

I tried uninstalling the drivers and rebooting the computer but it still doesn't work. I don't get how the hardware would get messed up from just cancelling Nero from burning though, so I THINK its the software involved somehow... Any other ideas?

Thanks!

try uninstalling and reinstalling nero and your dvd playing software. also, did you try running the disk cleaner through it?

Hi,

Well I ended up deleting and uninstalling nero because I thought that was the problem but it wasn't the reason either. When I put in a DVD my laptop starts whirring as if it wants to load, but then it stops and makes weird clicking noises. Also, what is the disk cleaner you are talking about?

Thanks

just go down to walmart or other computer store, and find the cdrs/dvdrs, in that section you should fine one labled DVD lens cleaner or something similar. it is a DVD designed to do one thing, clean the lens of the DVD drive. usually costs between 5-15 dollars.

Unless you are a heavy smoker or have some other source of contamination similar to that I wouldn't think that one of the "disk cleaners" is going to do you much good. I would see if I could find another computer to install this drive in and try it there, if it fails in another computer I would write it off.

Hmm that is weird though. How would it play CD's then. Doesn't that mean that the DVD drive should work since it is a DVD/CD player?

Thanks for any help!

If it will play CDs but not DVDs it may be the DVD's laser is not working, there are two different laser in combo drives that operate at two different frequencies.

Oh I see... so everyone thinks it is a hardware problem and not a software problem then? How much does it cost to replace a DVD/CD drive for laptops?

Thanks!