Laptop DVDROM Failure

[FelixCrenshaw]

I'm using an old Compaq Presario 1200 for my portable computing needs right now. It originally came with a built in DVD drive, however, as of late, I've had some problems.

The drive will work fine for about 25 minutes. Then, it will disappear. Windows brings up a message saying I've disconnected it and it disappears from all access. No actual physical changes happen. I checked the connection on the inside and it looks fine, but I don't know a lot about laptop hardware.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[JCE86]

Do laptop DVD-roms fail that often?

 

[CClyph]

Seems to happen more often in notebooks than desktops. My friend's 4-year old Gateway Solo has a dead DVD-ROM. Well, it'll work if you give the notebook a "rest" for about a week without powering it on. But then it only works for 25 minutes before dying again

 

[jschuk]

It very well could be the drive. You might want to rule out the software though. Boot up to DOS with CD-Rom support and try it.