DVD drive fail to read CD/DVDs

Question

I'm using dimension 8300. My DVD drive is HLDS 8162B 16x DVD-ROM drive. Start from two days ago. Whenever I inserted a media(CD or DVD), the Drive will try to read it. Then i will hear a strange sound and then the drive will fail to read the media. The Windows XP I use couldn't detect any problems so I ran dell diagnostic program. The drive pass self test and I can't finish read and seek test. Now I'm wondering could it be a hardware problem or firmware problem or software problem. By the way, i did hit the upper case of my computer(near my DVD drive) rather hard by accident the same day the problem occured. Maybe it had something to do with the problem? It will be a big help to me if someone here can solve my problem. Thanks P.S: I didn't install any new hardware recently

osprey4 · Answer

I suggest going out and buying a DVD lens cleaner. It will cost you about $5-7. You may have dislodged some dust or dirt when you hit the machine.

rubyredcandy · Answer

Hi

I agree with osprey4.

I also had the same thing happen to me too.I used the dvd lens cleaner and all was good after.

I hope it works for you.

P.S. I have the same computer as you do.:smileywink:

jendes · Answer

Thanks for the advice. I bought a dvd lens clean kit today but my DVD drive can't load the cleaning CD either. Is there any other way may help me fix this thing?

Predator · Answer

Hi Jendes,

Go to Device Manager, Select the drive and click "uninstall" then shut the system down. Open the case and re-seat the IDE cable, flat gray, going from the motherboard to the back of the drive. Close the case and turn your system on, see if this corrects the problem.

Best Regards

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.

CD/RW Link

jendes · Answer

Thank you Predator, I will try that as soon as possible. I do have a question though, how do I re-seat IDE cable? Do I just pull it out and reconnect back or it's something else?

jendes · Answer

Sorry for double post but I also forgot to mention that the IDE cable connect two of my optical drives. I had porblem with only one while the other works fine.

Predator · Answer

Hi Jendes,

One connection could possibly be loose affecting only one device, and yes you re-seat the cable as you mentioned.

Best Regards

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.

CD/RW Link

Storage, Drives & Media

DVD drive fail to read CD/DVDs

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