DVD-RW Drive Won't Work

[TRACYW]

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 PC with Windows XP Home Edition. It has got two drives in it; a DVD drive which works fine and a DVD-RW drive.

 

The problem is with the DVD-RW drive. Firstly, it won't open and if on the odd occasion I have managed to open it manually (with great difficulty) it won't recognize a DVD-R disc I put (haven't tried any other types). It seems it doesn't know there is a disc in there. I also get a message every time I start my computer that I have files waiting to copy to DVD again underlining the fact that my computer doesn't seem to recognize the fact that there is anything in the E drive. Previously, I have been able to use the drive to copy photos over but as I haven't needed to use the facility regularly till now, its now I recognize that I have got this problem.

 

Can any one help, please?

Edited July 31, 2008 by Goku

[Tony D]

Hi Tracyw and welcome.

 

I can't say for certain, but I think you need to replace the drive. It has trouble opening and your computer doesn't recognize that a blank disk is in there.

 

What happens if you put a recorded CD or DVD in? Does Windows recognize them?

[Dalo Harkin]

You say its not opening - are the lights on the front on (have you ever seen them on?)

Might be the Molex connector for the power has come loose inside the PC.

[Goku]

Hello and Welcome to FPCH Tracy. :)

 

Please perform the instructions provided in the following link and see if they help or not.

 

You can no longer access the CD drive or the DVD drive, or you receive an error message after you remove a CD recording program or a DVD recording program in Windows XP: "error code 31"

 

Let us know how it goes. Also, please don't write in all capital letters as it is considered shouting in the cyber world. :)

 

-- Goku

[dmcss]

Hello.

 

If the drive won't open then I believe a hardware fault has occurred. Has the machine been physically moved perhaps - if you're happy to open the case check the power and data cables are secured correctly.

 

You could try the registry key issue as noted in the previous response - but I suspect a hardware fault.

 

Regards, David.