Solved! Laptop DVD drive problem

draterrojam

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Jan 4, 2009
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I have a dell laptop, i believe its a Dell Inspiron 1501. The DVD/CD drive will play CDs but will NOT play DVDs. I don't know much about computers but it has been suggested that it might be a software issue. Does anyone know how to fix this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Solution
If your drive read DVDs in the past, then it's obviously got a hardware fault now.
However if it has always had this problem, then it is a firmware issue. To solve this simply get the latest firmware update for your particular drive model from the internet and flash your drive. Be careful while flashing cause if done carelessly it could damage your drive permanently.
My DVD drive had an issue with burning DVDs from when i bought it. But after changing the firmware it burns most DVDs without any problem.

draterrojam

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Jan 4, 2009
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18,510


It recognizes and plays CDs just fine, it does not however recognize DVDs at all. I just put it in and it does nothing. It is a combo drive, and it worked in the past.
 

pitstop87

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Jul 29, 2009
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18,560
If your drive read DVDs in the past, then it's obviously got a hardware fault now.
However if it has always had this problem, then it is a firmware issue. To solve this simply get the latest firmware update for your particular drive model from the internet and flash your drive. Be careful while flashing cause if done carelessly it could damage your drive permanently.
My DVD drive had an issue with burning DVDs from when i bought it. But after changing the firmware it burns most DVDs without any problem.
 
Solution