Dell CD-rom strangness --works after like 6 tries

redstar

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Aug 31, 2001
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My friend has a dell DVD-rom that is now 2 yrs old (don't know what brand they used). For a long time now, you have to keep putting in a disk over and over again until it suddenly acknowledges there is a disk in there.

This problem existed with windows ME and now still exists with win XP.

Put in a disk and the rom noise speeds up and the green light flashes --just like it should. But then..nothing happens (it does not recognize there is media in there).

there are no error messages in the event viewer nor device manager.

Is this drive toast??

TIA :))
 

elzt

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May 10, 2002
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Does the problem happen to all discs (DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, etc.)?
Have you tried cleaning the laser lens of the drive?
Have you checked and re-attached the IDE and power cable to the drive?
Have you tried the same drive on another PC?

If the answers are all yes, then it's very likely your drive is toast.