dvd-rw drive won't detect dvds

So, I recently acquired a dvd-rw drive from a friend, and it will NOT play or even detect a dvd. It is a Sony DW-D18A. It will dtect and play all other cd type media, just not dvds. It sits for a while trying to load, and it makes some noise, just nothing happens. Thanks in advance!

Sounds like the laser to read and write dvd's is shot....you got robbed. get your money back and buy a new drive. they are only about 30 bucks anyway.

I had the same problem with my drive, I brought it to a computer shop and the only thing you can do is buy a new one.

eh, whatever, it was free for me...so *shrug* I don't mind! unless anyone else has any ideas I'll just buy a new one

Did you install any software to view dvd's? If not then you need to do so. Or load codecs for media player or winamp. If you have never loaded any software for DVD's, then you will not be able to view them. Windows does not come loaded with dvd software. AT least not XP.

Assuming you mean they don't show up in My Computer and such, yeah, it's probably the laser. We had a DVD Player where it stopped playing DVDs. It would play any type of CD fine, but when you tried to play a DVD, it would prompt you with an error.

Sorry, yeah, they don't show up in My Computer, and obviously then no autoplay or anything happens. And I got the drive to replace my old drive (a wire broke inisde) so yeah. Well, I guess I'll just be buying a new one than. Thanks guys!

I actually have the same DVD-RW drive, it was an OEM piece from my past pre-built that I integrated into my first build (recently completed). Well, I bought Call of Duty 4 last night, tried to play it, and had the same problem. No biggy, just slid out the RW, replaced it with a straight DVD reader from the same parts-wh0re comp.



So now I have an excuse to go with a SATA optical!

A last ditch effort may be a can of static free air. open the cover and lightly spray over the laser head. A lot of times the color of the die comes into play. if it plays in one and not the other. the canned air works well though when needed.