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DVD capibility disappeared

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by hantmanba, 2008/07/06.

  1. 2008/07/06
    hantmanba

    hantmanba Inactive Thread Starter

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    For some reason I lost my ability to play DVD's. I can play CD's and save info to blank CD's. I use Windows XP Pro. How do I get this function back? What do I download? It is very confusing.
     
    Last edited: 2008/07/06
    hantmanba,
    #1
  2. 2008/07/06
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    What software are you using to play DVD's?

    What happens when you try to do so? - any error messages?

    Is the optical drive a DVD-ROM or a DVD-RW - i.e. just a player or a writer.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2008/07/08
    hantmanba

    hantmanba Inactive Thread Starter

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    The only software I have to play CD's is <SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-2525>

    No error message...only a blank screen

    The title says, <DVD/CD-ROM drives, but there I seem to have lost my ROM, and my DVD capability.

    Please advise.

    Email address removed by Moderator
     
    hantmanba,
    #3
  5. 2008/07/08
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Please look in Device Manager > DVD/CD-ROM drives - expand by clicking on the + sign and post the exact details listed here. If only a SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-2525 is listed that is not a DVD-ROM and will not play DVD's.

    Have you two optical drives?

    How did you play DVD's in the past?
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2008/07/09
    hantmanba

    hantmanba Inactive Thread Starter

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    I do not know. I only have the SAMSUNG. In the past I was able to play DVD's & CD-ROMS. In device Mgr, the heading is <DVD & CD-ROM>. It is only when I click on the DVD CD-ROM + button I get only the SAMSUNG. I do not know when I lost the capability. What do I download (& where) to get it back?

    So far as I know I only have one optical drive. (How do I check it out?). Please advise
     
    hantmanba,
    #5
  7. 2008/07/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    First some background ....

    In Device Manager all optical drives (CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, DVD-ROM and DVD-R/RW) that are recognised by Windows are listed under the generic heading DVD/CD-ROM drives.

    Your entry shows a SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-2525 which is a CD Reader,writer and rewriter (to rewritable CD's). This is not a DVD drive and will not play DVD's - it will plav Video CD's.

    If you look carefully on the front of the drive you may see the inscription indicating that it is a CD-ROM etc, but no mention of DVD.

    Looking at the front of the computer is there another drive similar to the Samsung?

    If there is please examine the front panel closely for 'DVD'. If this drive exists it is no longer recognised by Windows.

    Please confirm if there is a second drive fitted, if there is looks like it may have failed, but there are some checks which can be made to determine this.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2008/07/09
    hantmanba

    hantmanba Inactive Thread Starter

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    There does not seem to be any other drives. Under device manager, there is a heading <DVD CD-Rom>. However, when I click on +, I only get SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-2525. I used to be able to play DVD's and CD-ROMS. Somehow I lost this capability. I can only play music (CD's). Is there some program I can download to get my DVD CD-ROM capability back?

    How do I check to see if I have any other drives, or if my DVD CR-ROM drive failed?

    Please advise
     
    hantmanba,
    #7
  9. 2008/07/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    When you look at the front of your computer - I assume we are talking of a desktop rather than a laptop - is there another item similar to your CD-ROM drive? Either above it or below it.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2008/07/10
    hantmanba

    hantmanba Inactive Thread Starter

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    No. I do not have any other drives. Enough already! I ask if there is any downloads which can get me back my DVD CD-ROM capabiity.

    Please answer my request (or leave me in my agony).
     
    hantmanba,
    #9
  11. 2008/07/10
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I have been trying to establish if you have a DVD-ROM drive before answering this question. From what you have told me there is no evidence that you have a DVD-ROM drive and there is no software which which will allow for the playing of DVD's on a CD drive.

    There are significant differences between CD-ROM drives and DVD-ROM drives and whereas a DVD-ROM will read CD's the reverse is not the case.

    I suggest you ask a computer-savvy friend to take a look at your computer and pass comment.

    I regret that I have nothing else to add.
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2008/07/13
    Martijn

    Martijn Inactive

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    Where you ever able to play DVD's in that particular drive?

    I had the same issue with a DVD drive in my parents DELL pc. One day it just showed up as a CD drive in My Computer and devicemanager. Removed drivers, upper- and lowerfilters, systemrestore all did nothing. Replace the drive and all was fine again. So as far as I can tell from the information presented.. it's broken. Still, having someone with a little more experience in computers have a look at it like PeteC suggested is a good idea in this case.

    Good luck!
     
    Martijn,
    #11
  13. 2008/07/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    From the info in the thread it seems to be only CD/CD Writer & NOT DVD.

    Sorry hantmanba but I can't believe that you used to play DVD's on this. The only option for you is to buy a DVD drive as no software in the world can turn a cd drive into DVD drive.
     
    Last edited: 2008/07/13
    rsinfo,
    #12

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