Member Avatar for gikonyo

unfortunately my DVD ROM has stoped working (it cannot play cd or dvd but it can open). It is not recognized in my computer either. It is listed in the device manager with an excamation mark. What could be the cause of this problem and how can i nurse it?

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Several useful angles were raised above by , , and . Below is a compact, ordered triage plan that complements those suggestions without repeating them. It focuses on verifiable checks that quickly show whether this is a hardware fault (very likely when the tray opens but discs never read) or an OS/driver/registry issue.

Start at the firmware level. Reboot and confirm the drive appears in the BIOS/UEFI drive list or boot order. If the firmware does not list the drive, treat it as a hardware problem: try a different data port, a different power lead, swap cables, or test the drive in another PC or in a SATA/IDE-to-USB adapter. If the firmware sees the drive but the OS shows an error/exclamation, gather concrete diagnostics before changing anything.

Collect the error code and identifiers so any further action is targeted: in Device Manager note the exact error text/code and grab the drive’s Hardware Ids (Properties → Details). Check System/Application logs in Event Viewer for related messages. Quick utilities to run from an elevated prompt:

eventvwr.msc
msinfo32
sfc /scannow

If the drive spins and tray operates but no disc is readable on multiple systems, the optical pickup (laser) or optics are likely failed. Try a purpose-made lens-cleaning disc first; avoid opening the pickup. If cleaning does not help, replacement is usually the practical route—external USB DVD drives are inexpensive and simple to use.

Take precautions before invasive fixes: back up the system, unplug power and discharge static before touching hardware, and do not apply firmware updates or registry edits unless you have exact, matching instructions and a full system backup. Record error codes and Hardware Ids — those are the key details needed for a targeted next step or a replacement part lookup.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for rubberman

With Windows systems, sometimes it seems to lose connections with devices - a problem I have with USB drives on occasion. The solution is to go to the device manager and remove the device and controller from the system, then reboot. The driver will be reinstalled and reconfigured on reboot, hopefully restoring access to the device. At least it works for my USB issues... :-)

Member Avatar for Rik_

Does your computer have Norton on it? Or have you used Norton in the past?

Member Avatar for gikonyo

My Computer does not have norton, am not sure of previous use of norton.

Member Avatar for henrywilliams13

I agree with you Rubberman. If the problem occur again, try to reconnect DVD rom's cable.

Member Avatar for Manhorse

I Have a Dell Dimension 2100,Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition,It is eqwipt with a CD -ROM and a Floppy Disk. THere is a PLug for a DVD-ROM, can I install one and expect it to work.

Edited by Manhorse
Member Avatar for Rik_

Windows millenium will require a driver which will undoubtedly be no longer available so the answer is nope.

Member Avatar for Rik_

gikonyo, just in case, open regedit by typing regedit in your start menu search box then hit find in the edit menu, type upperfilter in the search box and see if it finds anything.

Member Avatar for jamessmith

Does your DVD-ROM has a driver that comes on it when you purchase it? You my need to re-install it or update it. Or you can also right-click on it from the Device Manager and go to its Properties and troubleshoot the problem, roll back the driver or update the driver.

You need to identify also when the problem occurs. When did it started and what are the things you do or the changes you made on your computer before it started. For more information on this matter, try to click on this link to troubleshoot the problem: http://www.techyv.com/questions/dvd-reading-problem-dvd-rom

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