Bad drive or bad install??

[saspgmr]

I installed an new DVD writer (Lite-on 16X), replacing an old combo CD/DVD drive. It worked great as a writer but failled totally as a reader. It couldn't read the DVDs it burned (though they worked great in other drives on the same computer and in stand alone players), DVDs burned in other drives, or commercial DVDs. It kept comming up with an error saying the DVD code couldn't be identified. This happened whether it was installed as a master or as a slave drive. Two other drives (the original combo drive and a new DVD-ROM drive) wirk fine as readers.

I'm assuming it is a bad unit that I should exchange but I wanted to check before I went through the trouble. Did I forget to do something when installing the drive or is it a bad unit that I should exchange?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[budz]

It would be helpful if you posted the model of your LITEON dvd burner.

[saspgmr]

Sorry, I forgot the ID.

The model I had the problem with is SHW-160P6S-04. The two drives that worked were also Lite-on drives but I don't know the model numbers.

[aedipuss]

you may need to set the region code of the new drive. most come unset from the factory. right click on it/hardware/scroll down to the drive - highlight it/click properties/dvd region tab should pop up. set it to 1 for the US or whatever region you are in.

[redwudz]

One other thing to try because you replaced a previous drive: Go to 'Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers' and uninstall the channel the drive is on. This will reset the controller. Reboot, and see if there is an improvement. This will not cause any data loss.

There are other settings that may be involved, but they are in the Registry, so I wouldn't try them except as a last chance. Also, a minor point, check your IDE cable to the drive. It's best to use a 80 conductor cable. Most CD drives and many older DVD drives just used a 40 conductor cable.

None of these may have anything to do with your problem, but you could eliminate a few possibilities.

[saspgmr]

Thanks for the input everyone. I exchanged the drive for another one and the new one installed without a problem. I guess the first one was just defective. Now I'm no longer limited to burning at 4x and less.