my M15x just stoped playing blu-rays

I have the m15x with the hot swapable bluray burner (mata etc...) and I have no idea how to upload the firmware (there's no sign or help from alienware anywhere) and I am thinking that firmware update is the only solution to my problem, which is that my computer just stoped playing blurays.

I actualy have the included power dvd 7xx and I purchased power dvd 8 sometime ago and a few days ago purchased powerdvd 9. all of them give me the same thing when I put in a bluray disc "There is a disc with unsupported format in drive"

The only way I can play blurays is if I install the oldest one (the one that came with the computer) and don't update it. then I can run some blurays but if I try to run a newer bluray lets say, watchmen. it tells me I need an update to play it. When I download that update and install it, then every disc, new or old, gives me the "unsupported format in drive"

I tried everything, changing drive letters, uninstalling/reinstalling everything countless times, I also have the newest video drivers.

I am running vista 64 so I am thinking this could be the problem.. eventualy I decided to give up and went and downloaded a trial version of WinDvd 2010, which is pretty good also, well... that program doesnt even start. after I install it, it just crashes when I try to play a movie.

So it's obviously something wrong with my drive, (Mata BD-MLT UJ-220S ATA Device) but I cant find a firmware update for it and the driver installed dates back to 2006.

I am right now downloading a trial version of Arcsoft total media theater and if that works then I will more or less consider my problem solved... Yet it still sucks that I purchased powerdvd 9 for nothing and cyberlink support is almost as bad as alienware. They ended up asking me more questions than I did them.. and each time I emailed them back they mailed me back with more requisites.. asking me for screenshots and files and information.. obviously just trying to get me to stop sending emails so they didnt have to fix my problem.

 

In case anyone cared, arcsoft total media theater 3 worked like a charm with both my older and newer blurays..

 

If it USUALLY works with one software and stop working now, that is truly a hardware problem, unless you modify your software.

If your notebook is still under warranty you can get a new replacement. Otherwise, you can purchase one from dell.

What I suggest you is, if your warranty is already expired, purchase an aftermarket bluray drive that is suitable with your m15x. Hardwares have lifetimes and they can break down too. Dell charges a premium price on spare parts.

But you said it is already working with arcsoft total media theater 3?

 

Yeah man, go figure, total media theater works great, I have watchmen dvd on right now, which is a bluray that would need an updated firmware from an older bluray player since it's one of the new ones coming out.

thanks