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DVD-ROM not reading DVDS

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by dannylies

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I had purchased this samsung dvd writer. worked fine for a few days but now it just refuses to work. it simply does not read dvds now.. it is able to read cds though (already had a cd writer so that does not help ) and strangely whenever i put in a dvd it reads it as a blank cd.. am clueless as to what to do about it now.. is the piece faulty.. or is there some s/w that i need to install, to make it work

12 replies

by thumbsup2

You said it worked for a few days and now it does not. Did you install a new driver for it or some other software that might have changed the settings on the device?

Also, you said when you put in a dvd it reads it as a BLANK cd. Is this just a DVD Reader (ROM), or is it a DVD WRITER? Your title calls it a ROM, but your first statement says you purchased a writer. If it is a writer, does it support the type of media you are putting into the drive?

Perhaps, if you told us what make/model of Samsung that you purchased, we could help further. Also, what type of media are you trying to put into it? Is it blank or is it something already written on? Maybe a DVD movie that you purchased?

Also, what operating system are you running?

Need far more details to help you further.

by thumbsup2

Have you discovered what the problem is? You didn't answer any of the questions we've asked. How are we to know what finally fixed the problem, or IF it's even fixed? Don't leave us hanging. :(

by dannylies

Had gone for a vacation mate and completely forgot about my questions.
Appreciate your concern mate.
Firstly the problem is still itching my neck.
Am working on windows XP with SP2.
Well as for any changes thumbsup2 had formatted my computer, so would it change anything, isn't the writer supposed to be a PnP thing and again sorry its a writer not a ROM.
The firmware version i checked is the latest one for the product.
The DVD-writer model is SH-S182F.
By the way wishing you a Happy new year mate.

by Former member

If you only had it for a few days then i would download the new drivers for it from the samsung website, this will be from the booklet that came with the drive. I had the same error with my external drive (samsung). It would be the "firmware" that you would be looking for to update. Just make sure you download the "firmware" (look on the bottom of your drive.) for your version of drive ONLY.
Happy and merry new year from Finland (Oulu).

by dannylies

checked the firmware with the website and i have the latest one.. your drive also read the dvds as blank cds??

by willcomp

See response from ThumbsUp2 and address his comments first.

DVD drives have two laser of different power - one for CDs and one for DVDs. If the drive will read and write CDs but will not read commercial DVDs, there's a good chance that DVD laser has failed.

by dannylies

Well all that i had used the drive was for to write about 4 data dvd's.. and the test that squirrelonfire had given shows that it ain't able to read dvd's.. should i go for the replacement then??

by willcomp

Replacing the laser assembly is probably feasible, but I don't know where you'd get the part.

As cheap as DVD-RW drives are now, just replace the drive. Or since it's fairly new, see if you can get a warranty exchange.

by squirrelonfire

1) Hardware
-Put a CD in, if it reads, cd laser is fine.
Put a DVD (not a DVD movie), if it reads it, dvd laser is fine.
2) Software
-Go to mycomputer/properties/hardware/device manager. Make sure there aren't any exclamation marks (or question marks, or red X mark). If there are any,
question or exclamation - missing driver
X mark - device is disabled
-Put a DVD movie in, if it doesn't read, you need to install the DVD software in order to view movie on your computer.
-You cannot use WIndows explorer to burn DVD just in case you wonder.

by dannylies

Your h/w test shows that the dvd laser isn't working..
Also went to the Device Manager and it shows that the device is working properly.
So is a replacement the only solution or can i work on it??

by Former member

Before you go down the rubbish route, try and update the firmware one last time just in case the firmware is currupted on the drive.
Please post back if you have anymore problems or questions.

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