Drive No Longer Recognizes DVD's

[Aegmorgil]

Need a little help!

I have a Gateway laptop with an Optiarc DVD RW AD-7563A drive. I've had no problems with this thing for a year, but now it won't recognize a DVD. CD's still play with no probs, but a DVD won't even start to read. A DVD burned on this laptop previously says "Not a DVD".

I've tried looking for firmware, but to no avail. One year warranty is expired (of course). Any suggestions?

[pfloyd]

Try a lense cleaner. If that doesnt help, the DVD laser unit has burnt out. Time for an new drive update.

[Aegmorgil]

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Already tried a cleaner. Thanks!

[Aegmorgil]

Anyone know if there are separate lasers for read and write? This thing still burns to a blank DVD, but just won't read a DVD.

[MilesAhead]

Have you tried to find a diagnostic for it? I'm no expert on DVD but I see "power calibration error" when they won't write sometimes. The low power read mode may not be functioning. I don't know if you can download diagnostics like you can for a HD though.