DVD disc not recognised

[Maureen]

Hi to all,

I have a ThinkPad R61i. Windows XP SP3.

I use Nero software to back up my files and folders. Some while ago my PCs drive wasn't recognised and in the end I restored my PC back to Factory settings and all was well. However, the same situation arose and I tried updating to no avail. I uninstalled a recently downloaded software and Nero worked and I was able to burn to disc. BUT, it stopped working after the 3rd burning session.

I then used my external DVD recorder and this works fine. I then put a disc burnt from the external recorder into the PC's tray but it didn't recognise the disc at all but it does if I keep the DVD in the external drive. It will read from here fine.

Do you think I need a new DVD tray? If so, is this easily available?

Many thanks
Maureen x x

[killer]

Try this: Download 'PC Doctor for DOS' from Lenovo's website and follow the instructions to create a bootable disk with it on. You'll probably need to create the disk using your external CD/DVD writer.

Then load the bootable disk in the normal drive and do a system restart. This should load PC Doctor and enable you to run diagnostics.

I hope this makes sense! If you get stuck I have one of these bootable disks which I could copy and send to you though the post.

Good luck.

[Maureen]

Try this: Download 'PC Doctor for DOS' from Lenovo's website and follow the instructions to create a bootable disk with it on. You'll probably need to create the disk using your external CD/DVD writer.

Then load the bootable disk in the normal drive and do a system restart. This should load PC Doctor and enable you to run diagnostics.

I hope this makes sense! If you get stuck I have one of these bootable disks which I could copy and send to you though the post.

Good luck.

I did do a diagnostic test earlier on but no fault was foung. At present I am creating this Boot disc in my external drive but it seems to take forever and is still whirring aroung?

[killer]

You probably did the early diagnostic test in XP. The benefit of the DOS test is that it is independent of your normal system software.
Be patient ... it does take a while to create the disk.
If you get stuck, send me a PM with your name and an address for delivery (it doesn't need to be your home address) and I'll get one in the post to you. Bear in mind that it might take a few days due to Christmas demands on the service.

[Maureen]

At present I'm still waiting for the disc to format? It's been nearly 30 minutes .... is this normal, please?

[Maureen]

It's just finished but said it FAILED due to general ..... (forget what it said now!!). Back to drawing board!

[Maureen]

Well, I'm just going to try again because I've had no luck so far! I thought the disc in my external drive had done it's job but when I put it in my PCs drive, nothing happened!

[Neil]

Sure seems like the drive has gone bad, doesn't it? The only way to be sure is swap in a different drive and see what happens.

[Maureen]

sorry to be so dim but how do I do this, please? I have my external drive with my DVD drive....?

[Neil]

I'm sorry, I must not understand what you are asking. Seems to me from what you are saying that your internal drive is not working, so you are using an external drive. Is that right?

[Maureen]

Starting today again with fresh eyes (as they say).

I've burnt the file to a DVD disc using the external DVD Recorder/burner, but when I rebooted my PC, it started up as normal. Not sure if I'd done something wrong?
I have sent my address privately.

Please advise.

[RealBlackStuff]

When you boot, you need to immediately press F12, which gives you a boot menu, where you select to boot from CD/DVD, HD, floppy, whatever.
Select CD/DVD.

[Maureen]

Hi and thank you for your reply. I did it the first time, pressing F12 and ENTERED the first option which was ATAPI CDO Matsuta DVD.

I know that by default, it will go to my CD tray first.

I switched off and started again but it just started as normal.

The option presented were:
1 ATAPI CDO MatsutTADVD
2 USB CD
3 USB FDD
4 ATAHDDO
5 PCI LAN
6 USB HDD
7 ATA HDD3

Perhaps I'll have another go?

[Maureen]

I changed the 2nd entry to number one but hitting ENTER didn't do anything so I came out?

Please advise?

[killer]

My bootable PC Doctor disk contains the following files:

1ETY47WW.JMA 68,024 KB
BOOTCAT.BIN 2 KB

Put your disk in the external drive and see if the content matches mine.

[Maureen]

Mine says: 1ETY48WW.IMA
I didn't add that BIN file, I presume I should have?

[Maureen]

Even if I add that Boot file, it still doesn't look the same as the ISO that you have?

[killer]

I've sent you a PM.

[Neil]

A common mistake that is made the first time one tries burning an ISO image is to burn it as a data disc instead of an ISO. Data discs will not boot. Make sure you burn the disc as an ISO.

[Maureen]

Do you know, I did wonder this ............... I will have to try again and change the setings? Not sure how to change the setting for burning to an ISO image? I use Nero

[Neil]

Steps to burn an ISO-image

Launch Nero.
Choose Recorder / Burn image
Browse to the location of the ISO file and select the ISO file you want to burn to cd/dvd
Check the option "Finalize CD (No further writing possible!)
Click on "Burn" now.

Or just select the file and right-mouse-click to burn directly.

[Maureen]

I just created another DVD and included both files but when I restarted ............ it restarted as normal.

[Neil]

You don't have to add anything when burning an ISO image. There is only one file to choose, the ISO. Then all the individual folders/files will automagically show up on the disk.