DVD-ROM drive no longer reads discs

[TenaciousJP]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum. I figured that this would be the best place, since this is a DVD-ROM and not a DVD Writer issue.

About a month ago, my DVD-ROM stopped working. Nothing happened to the PC; just one day I booted it up and inserted a disc... it hummed like it was working, but it didn't recognize that there was a disc in the drive.

I'm figuring that my drive's laser is dead. I've had the comp for nearly 2 years if I remember correctly. I've done a lot of reading (I watch movies and listen to CDs while I work on the computer), ripping (I backup my DVDs and rip CDs to MP3 for my portable players), and such (I also mainly used this drive to run programs that required discs).

Could it be that my laser is burnt out, and I should take the computer in for repairs (it is under warranty still)? Or could it be that maybe my firmware needs to be updated or such?

At first, I thought that maybe the lens was dirty, so I was going to insert a cleaning disc. However I realized that this wouldn't work, since the disc would not be read and wouldn't start up and start cleaning.

So, I tried to see if there was an upgrade for my computer. According to the manufacturer website, there was.

I tried running the update from the site, and the firmware flasher won't work. The website says that my computer came with the GDR-8162B drive, while the Device Manager shows my DVD-ROM as the GDR-8163B drive.

After using Google, I then found out the drive's manufacturer is LG. Went to their site and found updated firmware. However, the readme for the firmware says "Only LG branded drives. For OEM drives, contact the manufacturer of your computer." I suppose it isn't safe to use that firmware update, then?

So, I chatted with tech support from my computer's manufacturer. They say that there is no update for that drive, and that I should only update from their site, and to keep checking back.

What next? I don't want to keep using my DVD burner for all my reading/ripping duties, and I'd rather not go through the hassle of repairs and such, if possible.

Thank you for any help.

[budz]

Do yourself a favor and just buy a brand new dvdrom. If you live in the USA get one from Newegg.com, they have LITEON & BENQ DVDROM's. Or you could buy a used one off of EBAY. I've bought all of my TOSHIBA 1612 & 1712 DVDROM's from EBAY except for one of them. I also bought 3 LITEON DVDROM's from EBAY too.

Here's the link from Newegg.com for a BENQ 1650V DVDROM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101671

Here's the link for a LITEON DVDROM's:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=1336&PropertyCodeValue=365%3...ubmit=Property

you can apply a 3rd party hacked readspeed patch to the LITEON drives to be able to rip at faster speeds. Here's the link for that 3rd party hacked patch:
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html

At the prices of dvd burners being so cheap most opt to get a dvd burner. The BENQ 1640 & 1655 can read DL dvds quite fast. The 1640 also has a hacked readspeed patch as well. I personally like having my dvdroms do the ripping for me.

[TooLFooL]

new dvd-rom, $20 max

[TenaciousJP]

Just buying a new drive and installing it myself is what I was thinking of doing. However, it seems to defeat the purpose of having a warranty.

Wouldn't installing another drive void a warranty?

[smearbrick1]

Just buying a new drive and installing it myself is what I was thinking of doing. However, it seems to defeat the purpose of having a warranty.

Wouldn't installing another drive void a warranty?

In most cases... no.

Stop worrying... buy a DVD Rom drive and install it.

[lumis]

well, if you have a warranty they should either fix or replace the drive..

unless you have to make a payment of $20 or more to get that done, you should just use your warranty.

if your drive isnt covered under the warranty, you should just get a dvd-rom drive.. or maybe drop another $25 and get a dvd burner.

[hech54]

I've had the comp for nearly 2 years if I remember correctly.

Just buying a new drive and installing it myself is what I was thinking of doing. However, it seems to defeat the purpose of having a warranty.

Wouldn't installing another drive void a warranty?

You having a warranty has not yet been established.
Computer warranty beyond two years? - doubtful.
Drive warranty beyond two years? - doubtful.
$20 for (probably) a better drive than yours ever was? - priceless no-brainer.