DVD +/- RW Drrive Problem

[Joel]

I have a new E510 that has a DVD RW problem. The drive reads program
disks Example (Windows DVD) but will not recognize any other disks,
blank or with data. These other disks were tested in three other Dells,
and they work fine. If I put one of those data disks and go to My
Computer and click on drive E it shows as a blank disk. If I try to
erase or add files the computer prompts me to insert blank data disk.
What can cause this problem.

[S.Lewis]

"Joel" <joel...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:l5-dnQFF7tDrhiDe...@comcast.com...

You could try some 4x media for S&G, but I'm guessing that the drive is just
plain bad. I'd have it replaced.

Stew

[Joel]

I have tried media from HP ,TDK and three other brands, the only thing
this drive reads is the Windows CD. I have Dell sending a new drive. The
idiot technician at Dell after speaking for two minutes wanted to format
my drive. I asked to speak to a supervisor or second tier support, then
is when we did the boot test F12 on boot, which showed the drive bad. I
just hope it isn't the controller on the motherboard.

[Tom Scales]

"Joel" <joel...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:2uednRQkyog...@comcast.com...

Could just be a loose cable

[Joel]

Checked that also, first thing I did.

[Ted Zieglar]

I think you did the right thing, Joel. It's a new machine, under warranty,
so it's not your problem. Dell will send you a new drive.

I might have tried the Dell diagnostics before calling. To be honest, I
don't know if their diagnostics are worth that much, but if the diags say
there's a problem with the drive, maybe that's a shortcut past the joys
(ahem) of level one tech support.

--
Ted Zieglar
"You can do it if you try."

"Joel" <joel...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:qq-dnfdaG8u...@comcast.com...

[Joel]

Ted Zieglar wrote:
> I think you did the right thing, Joel. It's a new machine, under warranty,
> so it's not your problem. Dell will send you a new drive.
>
> I might have tried the Dell diagnostics before calling. To be honest, I
> don't know if their diagnostics are worth that much, but if the diags say
> there's a problem with the drive, maybe that's a shortcut past the joys
> (ahem) of level one tech support.
>

The drive should be here tomorrow, at least I hope it will.

[S.Lewis]

"Joel" <joel...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:-fidnXJ_eKE...@comcast.com...

That'll fix it, since the problem is related to disc reads. You should be
good.....

Stew

[Joel]

I lost it today speaking to customer support. My system was supposed to
come with full version of Sonic DVD, but of course they never sent the
disk. I was told to remove it during testing and reinstall. It was not
to be found on any CD they supplied. I had to contact support and they
refused to do anything. i then called customer support and complained
and they agreed to send what I paid for. I hate dealing with India, if
they don't have an answer it is format the drive.

[Ted Zieglar]

Joel, "format the hard drive" is the standard response from clueless techs
whether they work out of India or someplace else.

But about your software: Does Dell now ship it's computers with full
versions of software, or did you pay extra to get the full version of Sonic
DVD? Usually, OEM's ship 'lite' versions of software programs.

--
Ted Zieglar
"You can do it if you try."

"Joel" <joel...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:CKKdncAn6_7...@comcast.com...

[Joel]

Ted Zieglar wrote:
> Joel, "format the hard drive" is the standard response from clueless techs
> whether they work out of India or someplace else.
>
> But about your software: Does Dell now ship it's computers with full
> versions of software, or did you pay extra to get the full version of Sonic
> DVD? Usually, OEM's ship 'lite' versions of software programs.
>

I bought a refurbished unit that had the full version.