How to fix DVD,CD,CD/DVD-ROM Errors and Problems

Though DVD/CDs as a data storage media are more reliable than floppy and Flash disks, they are also prone to errors. Errors reading the DVD/CD can be due to problems with DVD or CD or the computer CD/DVD-ROM drive. Since a blank DVD or CD is cheap, it is recommended that you make multiple copies of  your important data. It is not possible to read data from a badly damaged DVD or CD. A CD/DVD drive problem could cause errors in reading CD/DVD like not showing any CD in the drive eg "Please insert a CD into CDROM drive" , "errors copying data from the CD" etc.

How to fix a CD/DVD-ROM drive problem.

1. Check if the IDE cable connecting the motherboard to the CDROM/DVDROM drive is fixed properly. Also try to connect the CD/DVD-ROM drive using a different cable.

2. Check for viruses, Trojans and Spyware. First check for and  remove all spyware, adware  and  then run a  antivirus program . Third party programs running in the background can also cause an error.

3. There may be a problem with the drivers. Go to device manager, uninstall the CD/DVD-ROM drive and then install it again. If this does not work, try getting updated drivers from the CDROM/DVDROM drive manufacturers website and reinstall them. For older versions of Windows, if the operating system is corrupted, you may get errors.Update windows.

4. If the CD/DVD-ROM drive tray is not opening

   * Power supply cable to the CDROM/DVDROM drive may be loose or disconnected especially if the computer has been moved recently.

   * The eject button on CDROM/DVDROM drive may be malfunctioning, you still open the drive using the eject option in My Computer or other software applications.

  * A  locking software may have been installed, so reboot the machine.

5. The CD/DVD-ROM drive lens may be dusty or dirty. The lens can be cleaned using a Q-tip moistened with alcohol. Mini Q-tips are also available. If a brush based CDROM drive cleaning system is used, the hair on the brush should be very soft. If the hairs are hard, they can causes scratches on the the lens. CDs for cleaning may be used, but they are not always effective. For a DVDROM drive use a lint free optical cloth.

6. The data may not be properly written onto the CDs. When data is written to a CD ROM it has to be finalized (closed). All CD/DVD-ROM drives may not be able to read an open CD or DVD.  If  the CD is burned at the fastest possible rate in the CD/DVD-RW, the quality of the CD will be poor and it may not work on all CD/DVD-ROM drives. The slower the data transfer, the lower the chances of data corruption.

7. If you accidentally used a marker pen to mark the wrong side of a CD or DVD the marking can be removed by isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth to remove the mark. For scratched CD/DVD you can use car polish to minimize scratch effects when playing the dvd. Polish your CD outwards and make a backup copy.

8. Toothpastes, polishes and cleaners will fix scratches to some degree, but you have to be careful using them. Cleaners containing bleach can cause damage, while alcohol based cleaners do not cause much damage.

9. Most CD/DVD-ROM drives available today  have a one year warranty, so if it is still under warranty, you can get it replaced from the supplier.

10. check on your Media player,Mp3player or Video game software. they may be corrupt or need settings done.

• tags:
• DVD
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• antivirus
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• CDRW
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• mp3player
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• CDROM
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• drivers
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• cdcleaners
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• dvddrives
• |
• flashdisk

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