System nt detecting DVD-RAM

the dvd drive needs to be replaced cause the laser is getting weak which is why it will read dvds but not cd's. Once you replace the drive you won't run into that problem.

It is a DVD ROM drive which stands for DVD Read Only Memory. In other words, this drive is meant to only PLAY DVDs and CDs but NOT save data to them.

To burn CDs you need a CD burner. Burners are of 3 types:

CD writer only burns and reads CDs.

Combo drive reads CDs and DVDs but only burns CDs.

Super drive burns and reads from CDs and DVDs.

As you go higher in functionality, the price also increases. Check your needs before you plan to buy one. Also compare prices of all the drives. Note: burn-able media costs are separate.

Many times the drive itself is going bad and will stop recognizing dvds first and then eventually will quit reading cds. That would be my bet. I have replaced dvd drives that were doing the same thing and the problem was solved. If it is under warranty Dell will replace it for free. They may ask you to reload your OS first especially if you are dealing with India, but you can lie and say you already did that.

dear friend

this is common probs for notebook dvdrws

they lack quality (all brands)

after sometime drives stops writing dvds, then reading them

after sometime, writing cds and eventually reading cds

in 5-6% cases drives stops to read cds first

sorry friend you have to replace the drive

and if it is in warranty

go for rma

thanks

Take a can of air and blow it on the laser then try to see if it will read both cd's and dvd's. If it doesn't read one or the other then the dvd-rw would need to be replaced.

DVD drive reads DVDs but not CDs

if you are good at opening then open the combo drive and clean the lens once by using some lens cleaner solution and then refit it it should work ...

if you still persist the problem then think that the life of the combo drive is getting down and the time to purchase new one is getting nearer ..

after some days your combo drive will fail to read the cds but it will read occasionally for some days after that it will not read anything that s because the lens is becoming weaker ...

at the cost of replacing the lens you can purchase the new dvd writer ...

but also try cleaning the lens with some lens cleaner solution after that it may work for some days ..

the only problem with the combo drive is the lens will be weaker than the normal dvd writer or cd writer so after some days of usage it fails to detect dvds followed by it fails in detecting of cds too ...

thank you

rate my solution

This could be several causes. is it a dvd Rom Drive ??
first this could be software related. i.e which program is stating that it,s a blank cd ( windows or another program ? ) i.e nero or similar ?
try uninstalling the device ( DVD ) in control panel/system/device mansger. re-boot the computer and it should state. new device/harware found and ask for a driver.
If this does,nt work theres a chance that if you are using packet writing software, the disks are not finalising, hence they will not be recognised, as the T.O.C table of contents are not being written to the disk ( Finalizing )
Finally the read laser could be out of alignment or not powering up suffiently to read, other formats.
Hope this guides you to some success.
Mike @ Compurepair.

i would uninstall and reinstall all drivers if you still have the original manufacturer cd, if not go to the website.. i had a similar issue but i got it to finally read the dvd's again.. if you changed your os system then it could be a compatibility issue..

you may also want to check the properties on the drive you are speaking of and make all the settings go to the default ones.. goto my computer and look for your drive, then right click on it to see properties and options to adjust settings to your drive..

it may not be dead yet, especially if it's not old.. hope this helps