DVD-RW Drive Not Working Correctly

Hi
A few months ago my DVD-RW drive started to burn files to CD-R discs really slowly. Since then my DVD drive does not recognise DVD discs, only CD's. when i try to use files from the CD they don't work, e.g. burning music, or even listening to music. I have checked device manager, and it is telling me that the device is working properly. i've also tried rolling back the driver and this hasn't worked either.
does anyone have any tips they can give me, without too much jargon, because i'm not too experienced with pc's.
i would also rather not have to buy a new drive.
thanks guys

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

The first test I would do is to connect it into another computer and see if it works correctly there.

Check the jumper settings. If it set to CS, look at setting it to Master/Slave with any other drive on the cable. (If you need help, you can find the drive's model number in Device Manager, find the the drive manufacturer using a websearch, there will be a manual for download at their website.)

You can check the drive is running in DMA mode
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/ide-dma.mspx

In resetting, I recommend to set it PIO mode, restart the computer, then go back and change it back to DMA.

Look for updates for the motherboard chipset drivers. [Note, for an nVidia chipset, they recommend not to install the IDE drivers.]

Matt
Sorry about any jargon, rather than explain it all, do a websearch or look it up at Wikipedia.