MSI DR8-A 8x DVD±RW Drive problem

[T. T.]

Dear all:

OK I know that the drive seems to be a bit old, but it has been
working just fine for me for couple of years now. Recently for some
reason, if I put in ANY kind of CDR disc or just regular music CD (as
long as it is CD), it won't read the disc at all. I also tried to
write a CDR for data backup, won't work neither. However, if I put in
some kind of DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, regular movie DVD..etc.), then it will
read/write just fine. Does this sound like a power supply issue (not
enough power or something?) or it is due to a aging DVD±RW drive?? Can
this be repaired by any chance? If I am to replace it with a new one
which one (brand/model) would you recommend (for the best value)?
Thanks!

 

[Jan Alter]

Dear all:

OK I know that the drive seems to be a bit old, but it has been
working just fine for me for couple of years now. Recently for some
reason, if I put in ANY kind of CDR disc or just regular music CD (as
long as it is CD), it won't read the disc at all. I also tried to
write a CDR for data backup, won't work neither. However, if I put in
some kind of DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, regular movie DVD..etc.), then it will
read/write just fine. Does this sound like a power supply issue (not
enough power or something?) or it is due to a aging DVD±RW drive?? Can
this be repaired by any chance? If I am to replace it with a new one
which one (brand/model) would you recommend (for the best value)?
Thanks!

I'm not remembering clearly if the CD-ROM uses a red light and the DVD-ROM
uses a blue light, but whether right or wrong the CD portion of the recorder
has clearly failed. For as low as $30 - $40 you can replace it with a new
one of very good quality.
Go to newegg.com and take a look at the drives. NEC is a good drive, but
I think it's been swept up by Sony under the name Optiarc-Sony-NEC. Plextor
has an excellent reputation as well as Pioneer among others.

 

[sandy58]

Dear all:

OK I know that the drive seems to be a bit old, but it has been
working just fine for me for couple of years now. Recently for some
reason, if I put in ANY kind of CDR disc or just regular music CD (as
long as it is CD), it won't read the disc at all. I also tried to
write a CDR for data backup, won't work neither. However, if I put in
some kind of DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, regular movie DVD..etc.), then it will
read/write just fine. Does this sound like a power supply issue (not
enough power or something?) or it is due to a aging DVD±RW drive?? Can
this be repaired by any chance? If I am to replace it with a new one
which one (brand/model) would you recommend (for the best value)?
Thanks!

I'm not remembering clearly if the CD-ROM uses a red light and the DVD-ROM
uses a blue light, but whether right or wrong the CD portion of the recorder
has clearly failed. For as low as $30 - $40 you can replace it with a new
one of very good quality.
Go to newegg.com and take a look at the drives. NEC is a good drive, but
I think it's been swept up by Sony under the name Optiarc-Sony-NEC. Plextor
has an excellent reputation as well as Pioneer among others.

--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

AFAIK the hardware you have has two lasers (one for DVD & one for CD)
so it could be that one has failed.