3500 can't see my DVD RW drive

Hi

I bought an Acer Aspire 3500 two years ago but only used it for a few weeks before putting it in storage. I've dusted it down and I'm now using it all the time.

My problem is that in My Computer it says my DVD RW drive is a CD drive! I don't know how this happened but it means I can't use DVDs or make DVD backups of my data.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this?

Thanks
Grace C
PS If it involves the BIOS I might need some hand-holding (sorry)

 

Perhaps deleting the ide drivers will help. Windows will re-install them when re-booted. What happens when you put in a disc; Does it spin and can you see it in Explorer?

 

Hi

It can see there's a disc but it thinks it's a CDR and not the DVDR I've put in. I've since done a bit of reading on other forums (CD Freaks) and it looks like there is a problem with my particular DVD drive. But it's hard to see whether I accept that it can only burn DVD +R discs (which is what Acer say), change some settings (although I odn't know how) or change the drive! I'm very confused.

Grace C

 

When you put in a disc in, the drive changes to "CD-ROM" whether it is a CD-R or DVD-R? If that is the case, there is nothing wrong with the drive and it should not effect the drives performance. Every PC I have owned has done the same. It is a Windows issue though I can't remember the particulars at the moment. What drive is it?

 

hi

Yes it does change to CD drive no matter what disc I put in. There is a problem because when I try to burn a backup of My Documents on to a DVD, Nero says the burn process failed. It says 'invalid field in command' and also 'invalid track info'.

The drive is a slimtype SOSW-833S.

I am assuming Nero is seeing it as a CD when I am trying to burn a DVD. And, there is such a lot of community forum chatter about this drive going back to Jan 2006 (I bought my laptop in August 2005). So many people appear to have had trouble with the drive because it can't see certain types of media. Acer tech support apparently said the drive can only read +R discs (although I don't know the difference between +/-). Others say that windows is configured incorrectly.

By the way, I have no trouble seeing data on the same type of DVD -R disc that was burned on my desktop pc. The laptop just can't burn on to the disc.

Grace C

 

The disc does spin. The drive is functioning as a CD drive and it can read DVDs. I've just updated the firmware but it has made no difference. Still can't burn a DVD data disc.

To delete the IDE drive do I go into device manager, find the drive (ie Secondary IDE Channel) and select uninstall?
Will this affect the updated firmware or will I need to reinstall?

Thanks for taking the trouble to help, by the way.

Grace C

 

What discs are you using? Poor quality media can cause burn failure. Taiyo Yudens are widely considered to be the best discs, both CDs and DVDs. Verbatims are usually a good second choice if you prefer to buy locally. I would update Nero if your key allows.

 

Hi

I'm using TDK. I have to admit I have never heard of the two you mentioned. I'll check out online stores. I updated Nero just last week. But I will try other discs and then maybe just pay a technician to look at it. Thanks for trying to help.

Grace C