Why won't computer recognise all my DVDs?

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 8100, Windows ME. Most DVDs are recognised & played fine but some DVD copies I have aren't even recognised by the computer - it doesn't show the title in 'My Computer', just says "please insert disk" if I double click on D drive. Why??
These copies work perfectly on my more modern Dell computer, Windows XP.

thanks for info so far, I'm using DVD+ recordable format so could understand what you're saying about being too old if all the DVD copies I have didn't work but some do, so it's managing to read some of them, just not others...why??

Answer 1

Your older DVD doesnt recognize all DVD file formats. Buy a newer drive.

Answer 2

i note you used the word copies.
Not originals.
The Dell most likely won't recognise burnt dvd's.
Especially dvd-r and dvd+r.
You'd need a dvd burner to read and play those formats.
Yours is most likely a DVD rom, not a writer/burner.

Answer 3

There are different formats of DVD, -R and +R. and even then some brands of DVD can be tricky in some DVD drives.

If you want to know what your drive supports I'd suggest looking it up in http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

Answer 4

The older drive doesn't support the newer DVD format that you are trying to use.

Answer 5

i have a dell xp and i borrowed some dvd's they woudnt play on mine and i found out they were copies from usa

Answer 6

Sum DVDs have enctpiton, but the disc should show up, maybe they are for a different region...

Answer 7

are they illegal ..if they are your computers might not recognise them or your comp isn't working properly