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    M17X R3 - cd/dvd drive won't read burned discs

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Shnogger, Dec 19, 2012.

  1. Shnogger

    Shnogger Notebook Consultant

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    So other than installing windows 8 a few weeks ago i haven't made any changes to my system. Now all of a sudden my cd/dvd drive will not read any dvd's that have been burned. I am just prompted to format the disc as if it were blank even though they clearly have data on them. Any suggestions?
    thanks,
     
    Shnogger, Dec 19, 2012
    #1
  2. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    Have you tried an OEM disc (Windows, Office, any game disc)? IF your ODD reads an OEM manufactured disc fine, but not a burned one, it could be a) a problem with the burned disc, it either being burned incorrectly or open session...some optical drives don't like open session discs; b)the ODD's firmware, if you just burned the discs using newer software and or/media sometimes older drives (HP in particular) don't always like the new stuff; c) A problem with your SATA drivers...speaking from experience, Intel RAID drivers have caused a few 'minor' problems with ODDs in the past; d) your ODD is starting to fail, if your drive will only read some discs but not others then a hardware failure is very likely. My money is on 'D' because I know they optical drives in our Alienwares aren't that great quality. But test out on a few types of discs: music CD, burned data CD, DVD movie (not burned), a burned DVD movie, and a different data DVD, both OEM and burned. See which ones read and which ones don't.
     
    radji, Dec 21, 2012
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  3. Shnogger

    Shnogger Notebook Consultant

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    It will read OEM discs (tried windows and a couple of games) I burned a disc (data then movie) and immediately tried to read it and nothing...shows as a blank disc. Put them in another computer and they work just fine. I am thinking the drive itself is going as well.
    Thanks for the reply radji, Guess I will have to look into replacing it.
     
    Shnogger, Dec 21, 2012
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  4. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    Wouldn't surprise me one bit. The ODD in my R2 has had to be replaced a few times now...and it never got used much in between swaps. If you start looking for a replacement, go with a Sony or Panasonic brand. I've had a Panasonic BD-R in our desktop now for a while and that think runs like a workhorse.
     
    radji, Dec 22, 2012
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  5. Shnogger

    Shnogger Notebook Consultant

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    I will know for sure when the new BD-R arrives in a week or two depending on how long it sits at customs.
    thanks
     
    Shnogger, Dec 24, 2012
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