Well its raining problems and weird thing here lately <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />.

This is the thing: I bought a new DVD a few days agao. I wanted to play it, but my DVD-rom coudnt read it.
Now i changed the DVD to my gf laptop and that one COULD play it.

First thought: DVD broken. So i use another DVD in mine: It worked!!
All other dVDs worked exept the new one.

What could be the problem?

It's not a 2 sided DVD is it? if it is you must play the a-side 1st <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

Not that i know of. One side has a print on it, so i think not.

I already have a similar problem with a Cherr DVD show,

try to load the movie from a list, or try to choose the correct are of your country in your DVD program.

Im my situation i had to load the movie from a playlist(even if you think this will not work), in an option what i don't remember now, cause i'm in a bad computer without any DVD program.

Try this: Load from a playlist, and use the window what will appear to open the cd, and after of do this, choose one of the files - the DVD(movie) file - correct file of course.

I spend a 10 minutes to discover this, well worked with me.

check the pins in the back of the cd drive and make sure it is in the slave position, you will probably have to pop the drive out to do this.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

thar ya go..... I'm back ,with a new(to me) PIII 850....spent the last two days loading programs back on it.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

@shyon: If i 'use' my dvd drive when it in, it reacts as if there is no disc in it.

@Jurak: that is not my problem, it only that one dvd that doesnt work. Btw: welcome back <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

1 Can it be because of different regional settings?
2 Some DVD-roms will not read some DVDs, like copied DVDs.

Hope this helps.

Where did you buy it?
Is it an "official" DVD?

It's what i said before, try to select the region of the DVD.

Like -

Norht America
Latin America
Asia
ect...



If you put the DVD in the drive and when you run the program, give an error screen saying: you can't run this CD!.
Try to do what i said before, select in the playlist of the program.

Try to go: My computer - Your DVD drive(with the cd in it), could D: or E: and see if it opens and show the files, if don't now you have sure the CD isn't good.

If isn't no one of these options, tell me what's happening and i'll try to see if i know something about the problem.

whats th ename of the dvd?

What kind of Dvd Drive to you have?

Have a search on the Internet for the DVD title. There may be a known problem with that particular disc. I've heard of similar cases before (can't remember what they were, though).

If the disc isn't showing up at all, they've probably put funny software on it that works on all of their test machines. That would explain why it's drive dependant. Or there is a flaw on the disc that is just pronounced enough to stuff up that one drive but not the other more reliable drives.

Thats the whole point: there nothing in it according to my comp. Theres no cd he sais. And my gf dvd CAN read him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


And YES its an official bought last week at de makro. Btw the title is American Pie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Then, just go to the store and complain to have it replaced.

Another thing and this was discussed, your DVD drive is too sensible to various types of CDs. In this case, you will experience this again in the future with other CDs, not all of them, but just some will nt work.

Something hard to happens is: the speed of the disc(dvd) is more higher than what your DVD-ROM supports.


Something similar when you burn a CD with 40X speed and try read it with a CD-ROM drive of 16X speed.

I think what Egin said is more probabily.

Another thing I wanted to mention. I had a problem with my first DVD drive (I think it was Pioneer). It didn't read any DVDs (it is not your problem probably), but to fix this I had to find and install small patch named Ivi-fix. This patch solved all problems.
So, my advise is, visit manufacturers site and look if this kind of problem you have was already addressed and solution available.
Good luck.

The problem is taht i cant find what manufacterer it was. It isnt on the drive and i cant find it elsewere either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

That's what I was thinking too.

Just get it changed at the shop, jolie.
Probably your player can't read it becouse of something on the DVD. Or something that's not on it. Not all DVD's in all countries are alike. It could have something to do with the protection on it.

Hmm, Yes that was truth to older models of DVD roms. Newer models, and I can be mistaken, do have unified regional settings. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />
But, sure, Jolie check if you can change regional settings in DVD rom options. Give it a try, at least you will know for sure.
About model and manufacturer, how does Windows recognizes it? As something unknown? Look into hardware profiles, what is written there?

I think what Jolie is trying to say is, when he try to open the CD(windows explorer or My computer), he have an error message screen:

Please insert the CD.
Right?


The problem isn't goes to DVD program yet. Is in the drive what can't read the files of the CD, if you put it in another DVD drive what happens, and if you put it in your record drive or other CD drive, what happens too?

Completelty right Shyon. It doesnt reconize my DVD. I tried it on my gf laptop and there it works fine. And all other dvd i have work on mine correctly even other cd's (music,...) Just this on he doesnt read at all.

Indeed i get the message: please insert cd in drive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

ps: i know about the reginon thing and i have it correctly. The dvd has the correct region for me (being europe region2).

@Egin: windows harware profile for dvd sais this: IDE DVD-ROM 16X Nothing else. Not firm, no manufactuerer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

What is the max of speed a DVD-drive and a DVD(CD) can obtain?
Try to see if the question about read speed. See if have something specified on the DVD box.


The only problems what i can see is:

Read speed.

or

Antecipated read(Autorun) - try to disable the Autorun for your DVD drive.
After of this try to disable or enable DMA option.

And after of this try the 3rd option what is:

Go to control panel - system - you'll have 4 guides - go into the last guide(i don't remember the name- have something about virtual memory and other things) - go in system of files(Advanced options) - and choose CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, go in the options Optimize padron access for and choose the options = no pre-antecipated read(or something similar).

What windows you're using? These tips are for win95, 98, ME, work too for XP but i don't know the place what you can found these options to change it.

My DVD is 16x, but i cant find anything on the DVD(cd). I'm using XP. I'll try some of your tips and i'll let you know.

Sorry for can't say more man, i'm at in my work now, with no XP system, and with a 300 MHz processor and 64mb of memory shared with 8mb for the video. And in my home don't have more the connection with internet, cause the magnetic fiel of the electric fence is "destroying" the field of the phone line, i can use the fone, but can't conect cause the modem can't module the signal in the line.

Maybe after of two months i'll get a high speed connection.

After of this try to disable or enable DMA option.

This also something i can figure out how to do <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />. It could be possible that it is the speed.

Disable or Enable DMA options:

Go to control Panel and choose system - go into device list- select your dvd drive and use double click on it or one click and ask for properties, you'll have something like of 3 guides, if i'm not wrong is in the "configuration guide", you'll have the DMA option, and other options like choose the if your DVD unit will be E: or D: or F: or G: and ect.

Well, i have a question...
So, if i happen to buy a DVD over in Europe - would i be able to set it up to play in Canada?

Yes, but in your DVD player program you have to choose what region of Europe you bought the DVD, the region come specified on the DVD box.

But keep in mind that you can change the region only a few times (at least i cant do it more than 4 times, After that i need a new dvd-drive).

Oh! I am not going to buy any in Europe... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The drive speed shouldn't matter. You only need a x1 speed reader to play a movie DVD.

Can you open the disc in explorer?

With region settings, if you put a disc in a player and the region is incompatable, the disc will still read. You will get an error message along the lines of "Incorrect region encoding." I have region 1 and 4 discs (America and Pacific) which I watch on my multi-zone player. My computer only has a region 2 and 4 player. I can put a region 1 disc in it and use the interactive content and read the disc and copy files, etc. I cannot watch the title track though because of the incorrect region setting.

That is the problem HandEFood. I cant even read the disk in explorer. It sais: Put cd in drive. It like there isnt a cd in <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Jolie, I still think it is particular CD problem.


My last suggestion is not particularly smart, but at least it will bring you some satisfaction after hours of frustration.

Have you ever tried to put a cd into microwave owen? Try, at least it works fine regardless of regional settings. Put a glass of water in also.
(CD will be useless after this test)

Try the same with lightbulb, looks very cool.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

PS I think, you can change reg settings as many times as you need.

it does sound like a compatibility problem or that the pioneer dvd drive is defective. anyway, joliekiller, check out http://dvd.ign.com as they have a section on incompatibilties for certain dvds & the players/drives. who knows, maybe there is a solution there for u that's not as drastic as BIOS flashing.

by the way, u can write in your problem as well. hope that helps. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, i have fixed changes for regions <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

heres the proof:
dvdSettings
The red circle is the text that sais:
"Warning: You can change your region-settings only a few times. After that you want be able to use your dvd-drive, not even after re-installing windows.
Resting number of changes: 4"

I would try your suggestion, wernt it for the fact that i dont own a microwave <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

janggut, The problem is, Jolie doesn't know what DVD does he has. Did he say Pioneer?

Some models of Samsung cd-dvd-drives had long list of incompatibilities.
If there is place to see them, it's a good place.

Hmm, thats really weird Jolie.

If I am not mistaken, I have to check at home, I can change reg settings in my DVD player also (infinite number of times).

Could be limited since XP. What are you using?
@Juggnot: I would do that, but you have to pay to become a member <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

I used win 98 when I played with reg settings. Lately started using XP.
I will check when I get home.

there is a freeware called dvd region killer which help eliminate the limited 5 time region change. if it's already locked, u can still flash the BIOS of your DVD drive though it's risky & should be considered as last resort. i guess u can check out http://dvd.box.sk as well.

about DVD IGN, u do not have 2 be a member 2 check the incompatibility list as well as writing in.

egin , JK did mentioned that it's pioneer 16X.

I only mentioned it was a 16x dvd, i cant find the manufacturer anywere.

I cant find that peticular page

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />sorry i got mixed up. was trying to help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/315/315957p1.html

Any help is usefull. I wish i knew who made the dvd, then i could look for new drivers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

The famous box.sk network underground, nice, i always liked of it. hehehe

Hey Jolie, i don't like to use Windows to manipulate the things like: change dvd-region and other kind of settings, i prefer to use specified programs, try to don't use all windows options what is just for some configurations settings, i don't use windows for record my cds and for don't play dvds and other, is better if you use other programs, cause windows isn't the most complete resource about everything, of course the system have many options but have too many bugs, the system isn't an expert in play dvds and record cds for example.

What i'm trying to say is, use some DVD programs to change your dvd configuration and to do other things.

The region setting on computer DVD drives is there so that they can sell it in multiple countries. I imagine there is a setting built into the hardware in the drive that selects the region. It probably uses a write-once memory (like burning a CD, but on a chip instead) and every time you change region, it burns on another mark to say you changed it. After five marks, the hardware won't change anymore.

They do these kind of things just to gain more money. Janggut options is a good choice, even if is a last resource, I never read about this thing about change the region just 5 times, btw if you change the region using a dvd program more than 5 times, i don't think this can do impossible other change of region, for me was just a configuration to play the movie, nothing more. But if isn't, i can't confirm it.

What you've got there, Shyon, is probably a hack designed to fool either the player or the software into accepting another region key. Technically it's reverse engineering, but these region things are fairly silly anyway.

No, i didn't used janggut option yet, i know is a kind of "cheat", i know about reverse engineering, but i didn't used yet with dvd-roms.

I'm saying whoever made the software hack has done some reverse engineering or found info gathered from reverse engineering.

I know man, please calm down.

Be cool <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> man .

And if you have some information for Jolie, i think is better than we discussing about it. The man(Jolie) is already desperate. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

True Shyon, i'm getting desprate. Its even getting worse (the problem i mean). Even the once i used to play, he doesnt want to play them anymore. The next time he does. Its like there is a randomiser at work that 80% of the time sais:"can not read cd".

Personly i have two options left:
1) reinstalling windows (although i dont see if there would be a change with that)

2) Getting a new DVD-drive (personal best)

Anyway thanks for al the help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

It sounds like the DVD drive is on it's way out. You may be able to get it serviced. They can boost the power to the laser to compensate for it's age. This doesn't damage anything, it just draws a little more power.

go to fccid page......here ...... FCCID and find the number on the DVD drive and type it in the search page,
maybe you will be able to find more info that way!

Thanks Jurak, i'll give it a try tomorrow <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />. I'll let you know.

You talking in this way Jolie, i start to think your problem is something hard to happens and difficult to solve, with sure i would try other things before buy a new drive.


About reinstall windows, i don't think this can solve your actual problem, but if is your last resort, you have to do it, cause you don't know what will happen if you don't try.

Try to use other H.D.(if some friend can let a H.D. with you) with windows installed in your machine, just for test, cause is more easy than you reinstall windows.

hey guys! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

JK, if it is really the region problem, i suggest u go ahead & use the region killer app that i mentioned earlier. it won't affect your hardware any more than the player. like handefood puts it; it merely fools the OS as well as RPC(region player control) on the dvd drive.

the ultimate last resort would be flashing the BIOS of the dvd drive. since u don't know the model nor the manufacturer, then u can't use the ultimate last resort.

don't give up hope yet, JK. btw, what software do u use 2 play the dvd's?

Janggut, the region is not the problem at all. it just the fact that my DVD doesnt read the disk AT ALL.

Dear joliekiller,
This might sound <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" /> but,
Did you try to clean the lens?
Please try and let us know if it works.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Yes dad, that was the first thing i did. Same result.

Even <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />er quastion. How do you do this? Buy a cd, which is cd cleaner?
I have NEVER did anything like that to my cd-drives. (shame on me maybe <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/puppyeyes.gif" alt="" />)

Yup. You can buy CDs that have brushes on them. The computer tries to read it, making it spin around and brushing the lens. Never tried one though.

I had the same symptoms that JK explained, but I am a heavy smoker and I must clean the lens of my DVD ROM with pure ethyl alcohol and an ear cleaner aided by a jeweller’ s magnifier. I may swear to have seen a semi-opaque layer being dissolved away. Dry disk-cleaners are good for dusting off dust daily or every other day only.
I have no idea of the type of pollution available at JK.
Let me know if this verbose information was helpful JK.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Try to use other H.D with windows installed, in your machine, just as a test.
If don't work i'll try to think other thing.

So, could you please then advise ultimate method for cleaning cd-drives?

I know from VHS- player, audio-cassettes player experience, that buying those cleaning cassettes was never productive or helpful.
I had to take some spirit and clean heads and mechanics manually.
Does it work in the same manner with cd drives? I know that laser is different - less pollution, but anyway, they get dusty and dirty.
And who knows, maybe that's the case for Jolie also.

---------------

Another possible solution

Jolie. Another thing I would like to say. Just consulted with my friend on your topic.
It seems, that it is a problem with quality of that particular CD or even with that particular serie of cds. So, even replacing the cd in store will not work 100%.


There are several reasons your drive cannot read cd:
- laser beam is too weak to read that cd
- laser beam too powerful to read that cd
- angle of tracks and beam

In other words the calibration and ballance of laser beam that cannot read that particular cd.

(omg, am I writing all this ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> )

So, the solution is
- to replace cd and see if this work
- to replace dvd-drive (I suggest PLEXTOR <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

Peopleeeeeeeeeeeeee. Try to learn what Jolie wrote, please, he said his drive can't read this especifc DVD but can read others and he already cleaned the laser len of the Drive, think in other thing, please no offence against no one, just explaining the situation.


Egin you can buy in any store a cd with the cleaner, is already come with a liquid to pass on the cd to clean the len. Is easy to do.

I never used it on my personal equipment just the computers of other people.

I think alcohol is the best practical method, assuming you can reach the lens. Alcohol is liquid so it attracts the dust better than the dry lens does, and then evaporates rapidly so as not to leave liquid on the lens.

I was editing my last post while you guys written your reply. Pls. look back.

I've cleaned the drive with a cd-cleaner. (cd with brushes). I think i'll try it with the alcohol.

Hey egin your edited last post had a vey good suggestion, and you talked about a thing what really happens sometimes. And i hate when these things happens. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

sorry that my suggestions fall flat & can't help u. have u tried the FCCD thing yet?
changing to another brand(dvd drive) is a good idea. liteon is good.

JK, i think the only way for u (maybe) is to send it(disc) back to the shop & have it replaced. i wonder if region 1 disc of the same movie has the same problem.

wish i can help more. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />