Some DVD's not recognised

[DAIPWYSO]

Hi All.I use a Dell dimension 2400 with 1gb RAM, 80gb HDD, running XP with SP3. My partner uses an emachines laptop with 2gb RAM, 250gb HDD running Vista homebasic. We also have a 1TB toshiba external hard drive.The Dell has a Lite-on DVDRW SOHW-1673S, which won't recognise certain DVD's. It just says there's no disc in the drive. These tend to be the later films - and obviously some of which we watch more often (the Bourne trilogy for example) My partners laptop plays them ok as does our friends Dell laptop.It plays/copies CD's and lots of the other DVD's from our collection ok, can it be the encryption? Will I just have to live with it?Many thanks in advance Dave.

[RandyL]

Well this might just be a case of of the drive failing when only certain CD's or DVD's wont read on one computer but willl on others.

 

But since you mention encryption I have to ask are these disks originall or copied?

 

Do all other type of disks read ok?

[Tony D]

Your older Dimension 2400 may have problems due to age. The laser may be weakening, the lens may be a bit dusty. How about trying a CD ROM lens cleaning kit. You can find them on-line or at your local comptuer supply store.

[DAIPWYSO]

some DVD's not recognised

 

Hi Randy L, the DVD's in question are originals, what we've bought over the years. As they are our favourites they get played a lot and it would be good if we could save a copy. I presume we can copy them onto Kate's laptop as it plays them ok? I just wondered why my PC doesn't recognise them. The 'older' DVD's work ok and all CD's are ok it's just some of the 'newer' DVD's. Kelly thanks for the suggestion, I have just run a lens cleaner through the drive but there's no change.Thanks Dave

[Plastic Nev]

If only newer DVD's will not play, rather than an encryption issue I suspect it may be down to DVD type.

Considering your XP based machine being older, it will also have an older DVD drive installed. Can you tell us a bit more about the drive and what it is supposed to be able to handle.

For instance DVD+ and DVD- as well as other types. It should also tell you on the DVD itself what type it is.

Nev.

[DAIPWYSO]

some DVD's not recognised

 

Hi Nev.The drive is a Lite-on DVDRW SOHW-1673S. DVD+ReWritable, DVD+RDL. One of the films that isn't recognised has DVDL-546700A1 1 G7.45570R0 DVDL-546700B1 imprinted around the hole.Thanks Dave

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, being an older drive I suspected that would be the case. Your drive is for DVD+ (plus) only, but the disk it won't play is DVD- (minus), a different type.

Newer drives will play both but I am afraid if you want to play those DVD's you will have to buy an up to date drive. They are not that expensive either, I recently upgraded my old clunker from DVD play only to a rewriter, which does nearly everything except make toast and a cup of tea.

Nev.

[DAIPWYSO]

some DVD's not recognised

 

Hi Nev

Thank you for your help.

If I could impose on you a little more?

I think i've previously seen LG recommended. The following 2 drives appear to my 'untrained' eye to fit the bill, but I don't know about IDE / SATA compatibility with my DELL dimension2400! They are both under £20 on Amazon.

Any assistance would be much apreciated.

Once again many thanks everyone for your help so far.

Dave

[Dalo Harkin]

as long as it has a + and a - on the information then it will play them and most drives if not all drives do play both.

 

+ is used more for compatability with DVD players built into older TVs etc

- is more commonly used now

[DAIPWYSO]

some DVD's not recognised

 

Hi Dalo HarkinThanks. I'll get one from Amazon and let you all know how it works out.Thanks a lot for all your advice.Dave

[RandyL]

I'm pretty sure you need a IDE, not a SATA.

[Dalo Harkin]

Looking at the spec of the 2400 it does have an ATA (IDE) HDD you would need to purhase an IDE model CD/DVDRW or buy a SATA controller card if you have a spare PCI slot available which would also allow you to add a SATA HDD at a later date if needed or an additional CD/DVDRW

[RandyL]

So for now purchase the IDE.

[DAIPWYSO]

some DVD's not recognised

 

Hi AllThanks. I'm going to order this from Amazon at about £18.Lg Gh22np20 Auaa50b 22x Dvdrw Bare BlackProduct Features • Enhanced IDE (ATAPI) Interface • Internal Half-Height Drive • CD-R/RW/ DVD-R/ -R DL/ -RW/+R /+R DL /+RW /RAM Read and Write Compatible • CD Family and DVD-ROM Read Compatible • Buffer Under-run Prevention Function Embedded • 2MB Buffer MemoryTechnical Details Supported disc formats(1) Reads data in each DVD-ROM, DVD-R (Ver.1.0, Ver. 2.0 for Authoring), and DVD-RAM (Ver. 2.0 & Higher )(2) Reads and writes in each DVD-R (Ver. 2.0 for General), -R DL, -RW and, DVD-RAM (Ver. 2.0 & Higher ), DVD+R and +R DL (Double layer), +RW(3) Reads data in each CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, Video CD, CD-Extra and CDText(8) Reads DVD-RAM with CPRM and DVD-RW with CPRR(9) Reads and Write SecurDiscTM (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+RW,DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW)Performance( 1 ) Average access time: D VD-ROM 140ms ( 1 /3) C D -ROM 120ms(2) Write speed: DVD+R 2.4x, 4x (CLV), 8x (ZCLV), 12x (PCAV), 16x,20x,*22xDVD+RW 2.4x, 4x, 6x(CLV), 8x (ZCLV)DVD-R 2x, 4x(CLV), 8x (ZCLV),12x (PCAV), 16x,20x,*22xDVD-RW 1x, 2x, 4x , 6x (CLV)DVD+R DL 2.4x, 4x (CLV), 6x, 8x(ZCLV), 10x,12x 16xDVD-R DL 4x (CLV), 6x, 8x (ZCLV), 10x, 12x (PCAV)DVD-RAM 2x, 3x (CLV) , 5x, 6x, 8x,12x PCAV (Ver. 2.0 & Higher)CD-R 16x (CLV), 24x (ZCLV), 40x, 48x (CAV) CD-RW4x, 10x, 16x (CLV), 24x, 32x (ZCLV) Only use Bundle Tool Software(Ref.http://www.securdisc.net)SecurDiscTMMedia : CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R,DVD-R,DVD+RW,DVD-RW,DVD+R DL,DVD-R Dual, DVD-RAMPassword ProtectionDigital SignatureData Integrity checkData Reliability (Not 100% Proof)Only use Bundle Tool Software (Ref. http://www.securdisc.net)Once again many thanks Dave.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Dave, that should do the job with that spec. Removing your old one and fitting the new should have no problems though in some machines you may have to remove the front panel as well as the main cover,(Usually just clips) in order to remove the old and fit the new one.

Nev.

[DAIPWYSO]

Hi all. Just an update so you know I'm not ignoring you.

Ordered drive from Amazon a few days later got 'out of stock and not restocking' notice. subsequently ordered a Sony of similar spec' to be told delivery anytime from now until Xmas! So awaiting delivery of that.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks Dave

[DAIPWYSO]

Hi again all. Eventually found a DVD rewriter that was available (at a good price, Samsung from Amazon at £21 delivered).Fitted ok and it works a treat. Thanks everyone very much indeed.This forum is amazing!Regards Dave

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Dave, thanks for the update, and I am glad it is all OK now.

Also glad to have been of help.

Nev.