Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
I purchased a Gateway MX6650 from BestBuy last December, and until recently it has been trouble-free. The hardware configuration is as-issued, with the flollowing exceptions: partitioning the hard drive, adding an Audigy 2zs PCMCIA soundcard, removing the OEM junk-ware, and installing "my" programs (mostly for audio and image editing).
Last week, the DVD-RW drive stopped working. Sort of. It still works with all types of DVD discs (store bought; burned by me; blank; with files, music, and video on 'em). CDs are another story... it doesn't recogize any brand of blank CD-R, nor does it play audio discs, at all. I found two discs that are recognized without fail - the OS and driver restore discs I burned - but while the odd discs will sometimes work, the do not work with any consistancy, including official Microsoft Office installation media. (Meaning a disc that is recognized right now, may or may not be recognized 10 or 20 minutes from now.)
My initial reaction to the problem was that one of the programs I'd installed had caused a conflict, so I uninstalled anything that might interact with the DVD drive. Then I uninstalled the soundcard drivers, and restored AutoPlay to default. None of this had any result.
So I made a visit to the local BB Geek Squad... after five days, they said they couldn't find anything wrong, that it was a software problem, that they'd repaired it with Autoplay Fix (presumably the one that can be downloaded from the MS website) and that my warranty did not apply and the software fix was $30.
When I tried to re-install the programs I'd removed, the problem re-occured almost immediately.... and now I am at a loss what to do next.
Some other bit & pieces of info that my or may not be pertinent:
- OS is Windows XP MCE.
- Checking the system event log shows the following error: Error ID 7\Device\CDrom has a bad block.
- Running MS Autoplay FIx gives me the message that the device is either malfunctioning or the problem can't be determined.
- The Geek Squader who worked on my notebook indicated on the repair paperwork that he couldn't run MemTest (because it failed).
- The only program I was able to install before things went to heck again was one that had previously not been on my computer (SpySweeper, because they made me feel so guilt about "only" having AdAware, Spybot S&D and Spywareblaster on there...)
So... Is it me? Or are they trying to avoid replacing faulty hardware? Should I do a system restore & prove that it isn't a software issue? Or is there something I'm missing... any help on how to approach this would be appreciated.
MX6650 DVD drive problem
Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by lilybart, Mar 23, 2006.
