Question re laptop's DVD-rom not playing DVD-R's or DVD-RW's

[4kaz]

I have an older laptop...it is a Fujitsu Lifebook E342 with the Fujitsu DVD-ROM kit added (PN #FPCDVD04), including the Margi DVD-to-Go™ PCMCIA card. This drive will recognize any and all commercial CD's & DVD's, it will play all burned CD-R & CD-RW's, and it will play, without problem, burned VCD's...but, when I put in an copy of a DVD-R or DVD-RW (that I made for archival purposes), it does nothing! When I try to access the drive through 'My Computer', it says 'please enter disk' (in other words, it does not recognize at all that there is even a disk in it). The same disks will work on my standalone DVD player, as well as in my desktop PC. Are there any suggestions for a workaround for this? I have updated my aspi already. Not knowing who is the actual manufacturer of this DVD drive creates a problem (anyone out there know?), as I am unable to look up compatability or whether there's a firmware update for it that might help. I have tried, without success, to contact Fujitsu for help (I guess, with it being older, they can't be bothered). Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!!!

[jeex]

the drive is probably not able to read dvd-r's because of the firmware. i highly doubt there is some type of physical limitation. you might try a dvd+r (or dvd+r with booktype set to dvd-rom).

fujitsu didnt list any downloads for this accessory, you might try calling them. http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/support.shtml?support/softwaredownloads/access...es/accessories

i tried looking up the drive & an alternate (hacked) firmware, but i wasnt able to find anything.

you might try looking in your device manager.. right click my computer, select properties, click hardware/device manager.. and look under dvd/cd-rom's and see what it displayes the drive as.. it might not actually be made by fujitsu..

dvd+r seems like the best chance though.