DVD drive will not read

Hi All.

I have a DVD ROM drive in my Office computer that will no longer read any CD or DVD. If I insert a CD or DVD, it normally will play it, music or video.
Now nothing happens.
It is listed in Device Manager,
Double clicking on it will bring up the properties menu.
Under Volumes, when I click on Populate,
it will tell me: No Media, even if I inserted a DVD.
I have removed it from device manager and rebooted so Windows will find it again,
but it always is the same.
When I click on the drive in Windows explorer, it tells me to insert a disk, even though the DVD is in the drive. It seems like it can not detect that I inserted the disk.

This is a Dell 4600 and the DVD Drive is a: HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR 8162B

The computer is out of warranty, so Dell will not help without payment.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Sven

 

Thanks, I will try that
Sven

 

Hi SVEN,
I suggest you update the drivers from Dell, starting with any chipset drivers. There may be updates for the IDE drivers.

If you have no luck try uninstalling the IDE controller divers.

After that you should try running it on another computer.

 

Hi mattman.

Went to the Dell website and found the dvd drive listed, but no new Firmware or drivers.

How do I uninstall (and re install) the ide controller drivers?

Thanks
Sven

 

Thanks PeteC

will try that on Monday
Sven

 

Hi all.

Tried all above suggestions, but no dice.

So, I talked to the boss and he came back with an external DVD writer.
Plugged that in and I am in heaven. So I just killed it in device manager and will use the writer instead.
Thanks again for your help.
Sven

 

Good to hear you are up and running again.

I would suggest to isolate that drive by disconnecting the cables. It will then no longer be drawing power and need to be loaded by Windows, then disabled. (Like dragging an anchor.) If it has gone "sour" it may start to affect other drives (the drive controllers).

Matt