[H] Opti drive acting up

[SpoR]

ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P is the model. I can burn DVDs usually with no problem. I can play some DVDs, or if I fiddle around with ones that don't seem to play, I can get them to play. I think it's not just burned Discs that have the issues either. Its the same thing my crappy ps2 used to do, its just random and fickle it seems.

The biggest issue for me right now though is that it won't burn CDs. It does the same thing every time. It starts the read/analyze thing then it starts burning, gets to about 9% (about 3-4 tracks deep) then errs out (you can hear the thing spinning up and down about a dozen times before it does). I tried used WMP to burn as well as Nero (which is what I use for burning DVDs fine). And I have used either program in the past to burn CDs before.

What gives?

 

[Dahak]

By the sounds of it, it seems the drive is dying. i have had that happen with some different models of liteon drives, which your is, and it has done the same thing, will read fine, but burn either dvd or cd and either one will fail. or randomly fail.

only real way is to buy a new one

 

[Paperdoc]

I presume you have tried cleaning the unit with a CD cleaner disk. IF you consider yourself a good repair person, you might try opening it up and gently cleaning out any dust, etc with a swab and rubbing alcohol. If you're lucky, the problem could be dust on the optics or something impeding the smooth movement of the head.

 

[corkyg]

Optical drives are too cheap to bother repairing or investing in repair. The DVD works, the CD does not. Most such drive use two different laser lenses for that - one for CD and one for DVD. When one goes, the other may still work.

Since you are dealing with an expendable item, Paperdoc's suggestion is worth a try. (Chances are it will ah heck up both lenses.)

So, give it a shot and be prepared to replace it.

 

[mfenn]

I agree with corky, sounds like the DVD laser is dying. It could be dust, but I would think that that would affect both lasers since they are usually very close together. Time to shell out the $20 for a new one IMHO.