Why can't I watch DVD's on my computor?

Question

I put the disk in (any given DVD) and it runs to read the disk, but it doesn't detect any disk. It is a CD and DVD drive, so it should see it, but nothing shows up and nothing plays. PLEASE HELP ME!

Another thing. I can totally read CDs. that works. I just can't read the DVDs. Plus, i don't know where the lazer reader on my comp is.

This problem started when my father purchased the computor brand new and still continues. I believe I've had this computor 2 or 3 years.

Answer 1

ok for the 19th time, I will reply. I hope Yahoo can keep it together for 10 minutes long enough for this to post.

The problem you are having is either related to a corruption of data (MBR) or the pagefile. Eitherway, here's the fix.

1. Boot from the XP CDROM

2. Select RECOVERY CONSOLE from the menu that you are greeted with.

3. After a few moments, you will be greeted by a black screen that asks you to select the windows version to repair. Usually it is option #1. So select #1.

4. Next you will be prompted for your Administrator Password. If there is none, simply hit enter or otherwise, type in the password.

5. Next you will see a command prompt that should read (C:\WINDOWS" or "C:\WINNT")

6. From here, type FIXMBR and hit enter

7. It will ask for confirmation, just hit "Y" and Enter

8. Next type FIXBOOT and hit enter

9. Repeat Step 7

10 Type CHKDSK /R /P (In some cases /R implies /P) and Hit Enter

11. CHKDSK will run it's tasks taking as long as an hour.

12. when finished, remove the CD and type EXIT and hit Enter.

13. The PC should reboot and load Windows properly.

14. If the problem still exists, repeat steps 1-2 then goto step 15

15. Select ENTER to install Windows. (Don't worry, we're not going to remove your data.)

16. Press F8 when you are greeted with the EULA (End User License Agreement).

17 Hit "R" to start a Recovery Installation which will reinstall only Windows Specific files, leaving your data and your isntalled software intact. NO DATA LOSS!!!

18. Windows Setup will do it's thing, take a break and come back in 30 minutes to check on it's status. Do NOT be surprised if you comeback and your computer is fully booted.

19. Install and Drivers that may have been knocked out during the initial error.

20. Contact me @ [e-mail] for more assistance.

Answer 2

Does it show a title or anything if you look in My Computer at the drive? Typically a video DVD will not play in a Windows PC unless you have purchased a DVD decoder (there aren't really any free ones and Microsoft chose not to add to the cost of its product by purchasing the rights to one for all its users). If nothing shows up chances are your DVD drive is dirty or the DVD read laser has died, DVDs and CDs do not use the same laser for reading typically, but frequently they are under the same lens, so it's rare that dirt is the problem.

Answer 3

I bought a DVD drive once and the drive reads DVDs fine, writes to them okay, but doesn't read or write to CDs at all. Turns out that CD/DVD and combo drives have 2 lasers, one for CDs and one for DVDs. My drive has a bad CD laser. I ended up replacing it and all was good. So if all else fails, get a new drive.

Someone up there mentioned blowing dust off everything by opening up your computer. Don't do this if it's a laptop.

Answer 4

simple
open the drive by pressing the eject button
and use a q-tip and swab the laser reader then blow it out with your mouth or from a keyboard duster
if it doesnt work still youd better open your computer tower up and make sure the cables both on the motherboard and the drive are connected buy first take them off very carefully and blow the dust out of them
then it should work
buy make sure you unplug the computer
hope i was helpful

Answer 5

you probably don't have a proper dvd driver software installed on your computer. you can go to download.com and download a trial version of one to see if that is the problem. if that doesn't work, then there's probably something wrong with your drive.