CD-ROM/DVD drive problem

[dieselmb]

My Hitachi/GL multi purpose optical drive (GL GCC 4240N) does not read
or write CD-ROM disks.
DVD and Audio disks work OK.
Installed in fixed bay on DELL Inspiron 8100, O/S is WIN XP Home.
DVD-ROM drive in same location works perfect.

 

[Stefan Z Camilleri]

My Hitachi/GL multi purpose optical drive (GL GCC 4240N) does not read
or write CD-ROM disks.
DVD and Audio disks work OK.
Installed in fixed bay on DELL Inspiron 8100, O/S is WIN XP Home.
DVD-ROM drive in same location works perfect.

Considering the ridiculously cheap price of these devices, I'd throw it in
a bin and buy a new one... cheaper than fixing it.

 

[dieselmb]

For $ 80 I do a little digging first.

a bin and buy a new one... cheaper than fixing it.

 

[Stefan Z Camilleri]

For $ 80 I do a little digging first.

ridiculously cheap price of these devices, I'd throw it in
a bin and buy a new one... cheaper than fixing it.

Wow, they sure are costly there!! Here in Malta a double layer dvd-rw is
around $37... sorry for assuming they were the same price there!

In which case... to fix your drive I would do the following:

1- try running several head cleans... although i guess you've done that
2- try and see if there are any new drivers specific to your model
3- worst case, try updating the firmware

as a last resort before declaring it really a goner, i'd see if i can hook
it up to some other pc and check if it works there.

Also, if you live in an EU country and your drive is < 2 years old, there
is some law that forces all suppliers to give you a 2 year guarantee on
any products.