Please Help: DVD Drive won't show files!

[DarkenedHeart]

I burned files to a DVD+R disc with files to save disc space. However, when I put the disc in it shows as a blank unwritable cd. It's the same with any non-video or non-audio disc (data cds or dvds). I can play music cds and watch DVD movies but when it comes to data discs they're blank.

My DVD drive is a combi. It supports all formats of CDs and DVDs (CD/DVD +/- R/RW). The brand is one I've used many times with no problems, and it used to work fine with these same discs. However, one day, without downloading any programs or anything, it stopped working properly and can no longer read data files from non-audio/non-video cds or dvds of any format or of any brands.

Yet my drivers and firmware etc are all up to date and I'm using Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 which I keep fully updated.

I'm stumped and annoyed and have no other computer to check the disc on.

I've searched everywhere and cannot find anything that helps. Help please?

[Jerry K]

It sounds like your only option is to take it to a repair shop and have it checked. Then you'll know. Optical drives do go bad more than occasionally..... especially if it's a laptop drive.

I'm assuming the drive is listed in My Computer? I'm also assuming you have compatible dvd decoding software installed?

[DarkenedHeart]

Originally Posted by Jerry K

It sounds like your only option is to take it to a repair shop and have it checked. Then you'll know. Optical drives do go bad more than occasionally..... especially if it's a laptop drive.

I'm assuming the drive is listed in My Computer? I'm also assuming you have compatible dvd decoding software installed?

If that's all that's left for me to do then I'd rather not and get an external one. It's still much cheaper. To get it checked it would cost £150 from the nearest repair shop - that is 100 miles away. Then add repair costs on top. It'd be better to just pay the £80 for a new one. O.o

First I'll try to borrow a different computer from somebody for a bit and take the files from the cd. I have a second portable HDD so I could shove the files onto there.

It just seems weird. The drive works perfectly fine for DVD movies, audio CDs, even making them. The only problem is when you put a burned data disc in (as in a data disc that's been made at home, it works fine for data discs for software installations).

Aye, it's listed under My Computer and the software for it is up to date.

Computer technology can be so fussy and strange. It's almost frightening that the world is increasingly reliant on it.

[ardit121]

i have the same problem

[ardit121]

sorry my english not good , i no understand well