Another CD-R/RW Gone South; Need Help

Question

My Dell 4550, purchased Feb. 2003, contains a Samsung CD-R/RW SW-240B that no longer reads (let alone writes) CDs. I've tried everything suggested through page 6 on this forum without success. I just got to the point where I tried to delete two registry keys: UpperFilter and LowerFilter (from the Predator website--Section 100, item 31, which opens a Microsoft webpage with the procedure). Well, both registry keys are listed with the same value (right on Microsoft). So, how does one delete two registry keys when only one value is given? Also, how can a registry key be deleted when the computer won't let me do it (i.e., I highlight the key and click OK to delete it. Then the computer gives me the following error message: 'Cannot delete {__key value here__}. Error while deleting key.') One thing I tried that has not been suggested is to swap my DVD and CD drives. When I restart my computer, it recognizes both devices but they each now have different drive letters assigned to them, which is to be expected. The CD-R/RW drive still won't read a CD. My DVD drive works fine whether it's drive D or E. I'll continue reading the rest of the pages on this forum and trying all suggestions in the hopes that I find a solution. I'm doubtful about success because I'm working backwards from the newest suggestions to the oldest. I'm ready to buy a new CD drive but am afraid a new one won't work either. Am I correct or will a new CD drive work? Up until this problem occurred, I was very happy with my Dell.

Skybird · Answer

Hi Askari68,

You are experiencing a Microsoft problem, not a Dell problem.

The Microsoft Article that Jeff (Predator) referred you to doesn't
tell you to delete the Registry Key: it tells you to delete the
Upperfilters and Lowerfilters under the same Registry key. Once
you get to that Registry key, look to the right and you should see
the Upperfilters and Lowerfilters. Read the procedure carefully.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314060

Askari68 · Answer

Thanks Skybird,

Your explanation was very helpful and I successfully deleted the two registry values. However, my CD drive is still non-responsive. I have even downloaded and installed the updated firmware for this drive without any change to my CD drive.

After reading again Microsoft's procedure for deleting the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values, the procedure is still ambiguous. If you follow that procedure exactly as written (i.e., don't do anything not specified in the procedure) you won't accomplish anything. I guess procedures like this one are written for people who have experience deleting registry key values. I didn't have that experience until I followed your instructions. Now I can read between the lines and understand what Microsoft "tried" to do.

I am very thankful for all the information Jeff (Predator) and Microsoft have made available at their websites.

Ron B · Answer

Hello there-I have had a number of CD and DVD optical drives just flat out burn out and die. Perhaps this is what is happening to yours.

Askari68 · Answer

My Samsung SW-240B CD-R/RW drive is out of the box (the computer that is) and will be taking a trip to another computer to see if it works there. I'll keep you all posted.

Storage, Drives & Media

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