dvd/cd drive doesnt recognize no type of cds or dvds

[crazyboy74]

i am having a problem with my cd/dvd drive recognizing any kind of cd's or dvd's. when i put in a dvd in dvd decrypter it stays stuck on opening device. even when i put in a cd in i-tunes it says searching media and doesnt do anything. nothing seems to work, i tryed all types of cd's and dvd's and nothing i even did a sytem restore to back a week ago which was the last time i backup up a dvd. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanx!!!

[Chewy]

two possibilities, the drive died or there's so much burning software installed,
windows lost the drive.

kind of hard to tell which?

[crazyboy74]

thanx chewy!! what if i removed some of my software? i got pgcedit, dvd decrypter, dvd fab decrypter and dvd shrink thats all. should i get rid of dvdfab? if this isnt the answer do you suggest i get a new dvd burner? thanx alot!!!

[Chewy]

none of those programs are the problem if it is software, what's your burning software(include anything that's been installed)

[Chewy]

does windows see the drive in my computer and device manager?

Is the drive older and well used?

[crazyboy74]

does windows see the drive in my computer and device manager?

Is the drive older and well used?

no, it just says dvd-rw drive (e). it has been used quite a bit, i only had the cp for a yr and 3months. it is a lite on dvdrw sohw-16335.

and btw, if i did purchase a new dvd burner is there anyones that you would prefer? i just have one drive that opens, the other one is an expansion bay. if i did get a new one do i take out the lite on dvdrw sohw-16335 and install it where tha was installed? sorry i am pretty much new to this. thanx alot for the help!!!

[Chewy]

the nec 3550 or benq 1650 are my personal favorites

[crazyboy74]

and also when i put the dvd or cd in the drive it comes out kind of scratched. like a run mark or something. it was just working like a week ago. is it hard to install anew burner? just wondering cuz i am a newbie at this. thanx chewy!!

[SMEG]

and also when i put the dvd or cd in the drive it comes out kind of scratched. like a run mark or something. it was just working like a week ago.

sounds like your writer is giving up the ghost have you checked to make sure it has not come loose in the tower it should not be scratching your discs

[crazyboy74]

sounds like your writer is giving up the ghost have you checked to make sure it has not come loose in the tower it should not be scratching your discs

it really hasnt been moved at all so i dont think it could be loose. is that what happens when your burner goes out? it just doent recognize it at all? thanx!!

[Chewy]

it's definitely toast if it scratches the disks

getting the case open can be the hardest part, then pull connectors, take out 4 screws(?), check jumper on back, set new drive the same, reconnect new drive, etc.

[crazyboy74]

it's definitely toast if it scratches the disks

getting the case open can be the hardest part, then pull connectors, take out 4 screws(?), check jumper on back, set new drive the same, reconnect new drive, etc.

lol... i guess it is time to move on to a new burner. is that the sign tha the burner is toasted, it scratching the cd's? it makes like a little skipping kind of noise when i put a disc in.

[Chewy]

they usually don't give you that obvious a clue, at least you know quick not to waste any more time on it. New ones are so much better now and dirt cheap, they might as well quit making dvd-rom, combo and cdburners

[crazyboy74]

alright, thanx alot chewy!! you was a big and needed help!!! thanx too smeg!!