Faulty DVD-RW drives

[MJoshi]

I have a couple of SATA DVD-RW drives in my computer. I suspect that one of them may be faulty as it doesn't read certain disks but the other drive does. It also seems to take a very long time to burn a CD.

Drive makes and models are:

LiteOn iHAS524
Sony Optiarc AD-7261S

Is there some software I can use to test the drives?

Thanks.

 

[C1]

Try cleaning the drive using a lens cleaner disk.

Burning software, such as NERO, typically features a test/calibration mode/option.

Also check the drive's properties in Device Manager to see that it is status-ed as working properly.

 

[MJoshi]

Do conventional CD lens cleaners also clean the write as well as read laser? I have one with small brushes attached to the underside of a CD.

Also, the version of Nero that I use 'Nero Express Essentials 8' doesn't appear to have a test option.

There are no errors for either drive under Device Manager.

Thanks.

 

[Cerb]

Yes. Even drives with different tracks and lasers (probably uncommon, now) don't move the assembly up or down, just outwards and inwards.

 

[NewYorksFinest]

Or, you can just buy a new one. Optical drives are very cheap; some costing less than $20.

 

[bonehead123]

Neither of those drives are known for their super long term durability. I've had many of them last 1-2 years at best, but those were OEM versions that came preinstalled in off the shelf machines. OTOH, I have bought several aftermarket models of both brands & had them last for many more years...so YMMV.......

FWIW, I have a Sony IDE-CDRW that came in a G3 Mac tower in '99 that still works just fine, albeit a tad slow by today's standards