DVD Burner won't read Data

Question

My computer is just out of warranty. While in, I had the video card replaced and the hard drive replaced. Now I have an issue with the CD/DVD burner. It will read the games I have, but I wanted to update my GPS maps. I sent for the disk and it would not read it. I thought it might be the disk so I called and was sent a new one. That didn't work either. I took it to work and tried it on their computer which is 1 year older than mine, it worked! Now I call Dell support and they say they can't do anything because it is out of warranty. Why won't my DVD read the disk and the older computer will?   FireLtPFD

FireLtPFD · Answer

Computer is a Dimension E521 Running Windows XP WDC WD2500JS-75NCB3 Unknown format, where can I find that info? I don't know about chipset. Dell installed the new harddrive and video card.

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,A tad more information my friend might come in handy.What Dell system do you have?What Operating System?What is the name/model of the drive in question?What format is this disc?Can you view the files on the disc from Windows Explorer?When you reinstalled the Operating System, did you install the Intel Chipset drivers?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 thedifference. CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 01-24-2008 01:46 PM

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Dell installed the new Hard drive and can I assume reinstalled XP for you as well or did you have to do that?If Dell did, then surely the Chipset drivers were installed.As for the format, what is written on the disc or is this a 'burnt' disc?As for the name/model of the dirve,You can gather this information from Device Manager.To access Device Manager, use any of the following methods:• Click Start, click Run, and then type devmgmt.msc.• Right-click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager.• Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.Once there, click the '+' next to DVD\CD-ROM drives, your name/model should be listed.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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

FireLtPFD · Answer

The harddrive was already set up. The disk was sent by Magellan, it must be burnt because it has the serial number in it. _NEC DVD+-RW ND-3650A

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Try this Dell firmware for the drive.Even though the firmware says not an issue for XP, it will work with XP and has helped the drive in past. Hopefully it will help in your case as well.ND-3650ABest 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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Guess I am not doing very well. Lets test the drive, run this Dell article:How to Run the Dell™ Diagnostics UtilityBest Regards! Jeff 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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

FireLtPFD · Answer

Sorry to tell you that didn't work either. Any other suggestions?

FireLtPFD · Answer

Try again. I got an error box that read. System_Error This system is not recognized as a supported Dell PC. These diagnostics may not be run on unsupported systems.

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Since Dell replaced your hard drive, I just asssumed the utility would be available,Do you have the Dell Resource CD?If so you should be able to run the test from it, same CD/RW link in my post, Section 12, article 3, information from Dell-ChrisM.May I ask, is this the only disc the drive is having problems with?If you enter Safe Mode, drop the disc in the drive, can you view the files in Windows Explorer?Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

Predator · Answer

Humm, you can tell me to get lost anytime ;) !

You were logged on with Admin Rights and had a data CD (usually the Dell Resource CD will work) in the drive for the test?

Here is the steps from your manual, see if they are any different..
E521

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

FireLtPFD · Answer

I got into the Boot device menu, highlighted boot to utility partition, then the error message came up.

FireLtPFD · Answer

I don't know if I have the resource CD, I'll check tomorrow. It appears to be the only disk with this problem. I don't have explorer, but what I did was to create a folder and move the files from the disk into the folder. It could not read the files. When I open the files the install folder usually has a screen and tower, mine is just a screen. It just isn't right the way it is reading the disk.   Your giving me more credit than I deserve. I don't know how to go to safe mode and then into explorer, or any of what you just said. Sorry.

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Some people like using 'My Computer' other prefer 'Windows Explorer'Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and then select Explore, this will bring up Windows Explorer.As to entering Safe Mode:Start Microsoft® Windows® in Safe ModeRestart the computer.Tap F8 during startup until the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen appears. If the Windows Advanced Options Menu does not appear, restart the computer and try again.Verify that Safe Mode is highlighted, and press Enter.Log in using an account with administrator privileges.The desktop appears in the classic Windows theme, and the Windows Help and Support window appears.I am slightly confused, which is not hard to do anymore.You created a folder on your hard drive and was able to see the files on the disc and supposely were able to copy them from the disc to the new folder but you cannot view the files from the now folder now? Or you cannot now view the files on the disc itself?Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

FireLtPFD · Answer

I could see the files from the DVD but they would not copy to the folder I created in my computer. The box said something like put a cd in drive first. The computer could not see anything.   I found the resource CD and also Cyberlink PowerDVD 5.5 Software if that means anything.   After you see what I have I will let you decide the best course of action. Thanks for trying, FireLtPFD

Predator · Answer

Hi FireLtPFD,Since you have the Resource CD, lets see if you can run the steps out-line bye Dell-ChrisM.Section 12, article 3 of the CD/RW link.Since the drive seems to be only having problems with this one disc, one would lean more toward the disc and not the drive.Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 01-26-2008 10:09 AM

Storage, Drives & Media

DVD Burner won't read Data

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