DVD not recognized....

Eric Isaacson

Eric Isaacson

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Joined
Dec 19, 1999
Messages
12,547
is there anything that can be done when a DVD is not recognized by the DVD player? I have this often happen on with the DVD player on my computer, the DVD will play on other DVD players but it isn't even recognized on my computer.

Is there anything that can be done to get it to work on my computer?

Thanks
Eric
 
I would try another software from whatever you are using, plenty of free stuff on the web.
James
 
James Todd said:
I would try another software from whatever you are using, plenty of free stuff on the web.
James
Click to expand...

Sorry I wasn't more clear, my computer will not even recognize that a DVD is in the DVD player. The DVD light comes on when I insert and the DVD spins but when I click on the DVD player icon it doesn't even show that a DVD is in the computer.
 
That sounds like you need either a firmware upgrade on the drive, or a new drive. But I would try cleaning the lens first. Yo should be able to get a cleaner kit for a few bucks at Radio Shack or Wal Mart. If cleaning doesn't help, check the maker's site for firmware updates. If that doesn't do it, pull it out and pitch it.
 
Eric Isaacson said:
Sorry I wasn't more clear, my computer will not even recognize that a DVD is in the DVD player. The DVD light comes on when I insert and the DVD spins but when I click on the DVD player icon it doesn't even show that a DVD is in the computer.
Click to expand...

When my son gets back from Birmingham in a little while, I will send him this link, he is a geek of all geeks, computer engineer and probably can help. Forum member ByronTodd.
Jim
 
yablanowitz said:
That sounds like you need either a firmware upgrade on the drive, or a new drive. But I would try cleaning the lens first. Yo should be able to get a cleaner kit for a few bucks at Radio Shack or Wal Mart. If cleaning doesn't help, check the maker's site for firmware updates. If that doesn't do it, pull it out and pitch it.
Click to expand...

I suspect the drive is going bad, but it works on about 90% of my DVD's. There are only a select few that it won't recognize, no matter how many times I try to play them, it is always the same ones.
 
There is no easy answer. At least, not without further information: Does windows explorer show anything with the problematic DVD(s) inserted? Are the DVDs that fail consistent in that they always fail? Or can you occassionally have a DVD that worked previously now stop working?

If the first question is answered with the DVD shows (title) always - then the answer is that the DVD most likely has some form of DRM to keep it from working on your computer.

If the second or third question is that they sometimes work, but then also fail, then you most likely have some sort of hardware failure.

In the case of DRM issues, you could Google the name of the DVD with "computer problem" and find out more about the DRM used.

HTH!
 
The firmware update * maybe reinstall* or actual replacement will most likely have to be done.

I also agree with Byron Todd's post, before you actually have to spend some knife money.:D
"I went back and re-read the original post, I am more tempted to say that it's DRM rather than anything else. As far as getting those to play on your PC, I'm not sure. I would google the name of the DVD and some form of "DRM" "won't play" "computer issues" "DVD issues" until I found something that was more than a "replace your DVD drive" answer..."

But getting a good excuse for buying a new player at todays prices that had all the bells and whistles is nice.;)
 
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The closest problem I have had is with my old Phillips-Magnavox DVD player that I've had for...forever. It still works great for 99.5% of my DVD collection. The exception is some Disney movies. No matter what I do, it just won't read the disc. Finally bought an El Cheapo DVD player at Wal Mart, and the discs play on it with no problem, so it isn't the disc. The only thing I can figure is there must be some code or protection scheme on the Disney discs that my old player doesn't recognize.
 
DRM is supposed to mean Digital Rights Management but in way too many cases it means Digital Restrictions Management.

I went back and re-read the original post, I am more tempted to say that it's DRM rather than anything else. As far as getting those to play on your PC, I'm not sure. I would google the name of the DVD and some form of "DRM" "won't play" "computer issues" "DVD issues" until I found something that was more than a "replace your DVD drive" answer...
 
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I had a similar issue with my Region 2 PAL copy of The Shield Seasons 3 & 4. I tried using MP10, but they just wouldnt play. I switched to Movie Player Classic and downloaded an All in One codec pack from free-codecs.com. That did the trick and they play fine now.
I dont know if it was changing the player or if it was the codecs that did it.
 
ByronTodd said:
DRM is supposed to mean Digital Rights Management but in way too many cases it means Digital Restrictions Management.

I went back and re-read the original post, I am more tempted to say that it's DRM rather than anything else. As far as getting those to play on your PC, I'm not sure. I would google the name of the DVD and some form of "DRM" "won't play" "computer issues" "DVD issues" until I found something that was more than a "replace your DVD drive" answer...
Click to expand...

I think you may be correct that it is the DRM, thanks for the heads up on this. I will do some more research but this sounds correct. As long as I know what it is I won't worry to much about it. I was just curious if it was something on the computer, or something on the DVD. Since it is just a small percentage of my DVD's I just live with it until I upgrade computers.

Thanks again to everyone that responded

Eric
 
I know DVD's have different formats such as +R and -R if you drive is old enough it may not support all formats. DVD drives and burners are cheap enough (around $50) why not just replace it.
 
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