DVD Rom no longer working (device is not ready)

[320sycamore]

Hi, I'm having a problem with my DVD Rom. It's a Pioneer DVDROM DVD-114. It was working fine, I make several backups using the wonderful Sefy's Classical Newbie Guide. (SmartRipper, TMPGEnc, DVD2AVI).
Not sure what happened, but now the DVD Rom will only play audio CD's. In Device Manager, under the DVD Properties, it's listed as "Device Type: CDROM" and it says "Hardware Version: Not Available". I don't think it was listed that way before. I bought a DVD cleaning kit and that didn't help. I tried removing it from Device Manager and letting it get "re-installed" but Windows (98SE) didn't find it upon restart. I also tried a format & re-install of Windows, no dice. I have done an up to date virus scan, as well as scandisk & defrag.
As I said, it plays Audio CD's just fine, but when I put in a DVD, it makes this horrible clacking noise and none of the DVD movies I've tried will play (the same movies play fine on my standalone.) When I go to Windows Explorer, and either double click or right click on the DVD drive, I get the error "N:\ is not accessible - device not ready".
A friend suggested it's a CODEC problem. I'm not sure if that's correct, or what to do if it is.
I've searched this forum as well as the web and so far haven't found this problem listed elsewhere. I would truly appreciate any advice or links to information as to how I should proceed.
Oh! Almost forgot, the system is an HP Pavillion 9694c AMD 128 mb RAM, now with a clean Windows (98SE) install.

[resnullius]

you might try physicaly uninstalling the drive and after rebooting and shutting down your system(just to make sure your system notices it's gone) reintall it... or if you know the make and model of your drive check out if there is a firmware update. i doubt very much that it's a codec problem if it can't read the dvd at all(ie. see the info on it) it doesn't get a chance to read the video...

[resnullius]

just checked hp's site this might help
http://www.hp.com/cposupport/personal_computing/support_doc/bph05170.html#P8_1717
by the way you might want to update your burners firmware if you haven't done it yet...

[320sycamore]

resnullius, thank you for your reply, I did try disconnecting & reconnecting, no joy. I also tried the Pioneer website, HP website and MS website, no joy there either. (The update for my burner's firmware is for if you have trouble installing Encarta 2000, which installed fine without the update, thanks tho, appreciate the heads-up).
So this a.m. I went digging thru my paperwork and lo and behold it's still under warranty, yea!! I called and they are sending a tech to replace the DVD Rom.
I know it's a moot point since the drive will be replaced, but I still would like to know if it was a hardware or software problem, and just out of curiosity, if it could have been fixed. Not knowing is definately going to cause me more than a few sleepless nites!
Thanks again for your reply, it's much appreciated! I'm so glad to have found this site, it's been most helpful!
P.S. One other odd thing. In Control Panel>Multimedia>Multimedia Properties>Devices>Media Control Device>PIONEER LaserDisc Device (Media Control)>Properties, it said "Do not use this media control device". I changed it to "use this media control device" and it made no difference. Under settings it said com port 1, and that's probably the only thing I didn't change.

[resnullius]

i'm guessing its a firmware thing cause normally it's the firmware that tell your computer what the device is...

[devinemi83]

I had the same thing happen to a dazzle DVC2 card I bought, worked fine for a day and then wasnt recognized and couldnt be reinstalled. I returned it. Sometimes you get something that goes DOA on you. rest assured you are not alone.

[320sycamore]

Just an update: the DVD rom is definately dying on me. It no longer plays audio CD's. As a matter of fact, it doesn't recognize any disks whatsoever. It now makes this horrible clacking noise if I put any type of disk in. Sure am glad it's still under warranty.
Just wanted to say Thanks to everyone for their replies. It's great to know that the members of this forum are generously sharing their knowledge, time and effort with us newbies. It's much appreciated, keep up the good work!!

[Sefy]

I don't know if this will help in your case, but i've seen it happen on another model (Pioneer 104S) and some boards, try disabeling the UDMA feature of the drive, boot up, and try using it again, and let us know if that helped.