DVD-ROM difficulty reading discs

[JnMHayes]

I am having problems reading SOME CDs after inserting in my DV-ROM (Samsung SD-612). The drive light will flash for several seconds, often up to a minute, before "giving up" and I get a "Insert disc into drive E:" message. With some discs, it will take three or four tries to be able to read the disc (or for the autorun to start). It seems to be a problem for certain discs and does not happen for other discs. These are commercial CDs, not CD-Rs. Actually, I haven't had any problems reading my CD-Rs. The problem also occurs in DOS. I've had no trouble once the computer is reading the disc. Copying discs from one drive to the other is no trouble whatsoever.

Does anyone have any sugggestions? Could the drive be flakey? The system is only a few months old.

Here's my configuration:
hard drive, primary master.
Creative CD-RW 1210E, secondary master
Samsung SD-612 DVD-ROM, secondary slave

Jn

[muno]

The only thing I can think of is the implemented copy protection in some commercial cds. They state that some cd drives might have problems reading the cd due to the protection methods used. But they also state that this is a problem of some older drives...
-M

[JnMHayes]

I don't think it's a copy protection issue. I'm just trying to READ the discs, not copy them. And the drive is only a few months old, with up to date firmware.

It's just my DVD-ROM that's giving me trouble. My CD-RW runs flawlessly reading the same discs.

Any other suggestions?
Jn

[muno]

In order to copy, you need to read the disc, nothing else. And if you fail to read the disc, you cannot copy. Thus, if the copy protection hinders the readability of the disc some might not read at all.
You didn't quite get my post...
-M

[JnMHayes]

What we have here is a failure to communicate...

OK, I'm having trouble READING discs when I insert them in my DVD-ROM, i.e. the drive will not recognize the disc. I'm not trying to burn anything, JUST READ the discs in the DVD-ROM drive. My burner works fine.

Anyway, Dell has already told me they're shipping a new drive.
Jn

[muno]

Yep, we have a failure in communication.
How do you think copy protection works? The cd in drive notices that, hey this guy is reading this disc to copy it.
Nope, the cd cannot make a difference between reading it for use, or reading it for copy.
It doesn't have to have anything to do with copying it.
But, try the new drive, perhaps it will cancel this problem =)
-M

[Psycho Logical]

READ = READ -- COPY = COPY -- READ DOES NOT EQUAL COPY
Copy protection does not include or imply read protection.

How can this be so difficult to understand? It's not like the drive can guess your intentions.

JnMHayes, you have my sympathy. Try these:

CD-ROM Drives Requiring Real-Mode Drivers

Computer Hangs Copying Data from CD-ROM Drive

Can't Access Compact Disc If Wrong Speed Set

Error Messages When Accessing CD-ROM Drive

Protected-Mode CD-ROM Drive Support

CD-ROM Does Not Run Automatically When Inserted

DVD Support in Windows 98

None are so blind as those who will not see.



[This message has been edited by Psycho Logical (edited 07-25-2001).]

[muno]

I retain as my point seems to be completely ignored. You do as psy suggests.
-M

[Psycho Logical]

muno --

In order for a copy-protected game or any other CD-based program to execute,
the data from the CD must be accessed, which is a read operation.

In addition to a failure to communicate, you have a failure to read and
understand the question as asked, and the way copy protection works.

How can you possibly justify your statement:

The cd in drive notices that, hey this guy is reading this disc to copy it.
Nope, the cd cannot make a difference between reading it for use, or reading it for copy.

There is no sensor or switch in a CD/DVD-ROM drive that "notices" anything beyond the fact that a CD is present.

Failure to copy a copy-protected CD involves only software, not hardware.
Properly functioning hardware should allow access to any commercial, store-bought CD.

For example, accessing -- reading -- any commercial CD with something like Windows Explorer
is not defeated by copy protection. It is however an indication of either a bad setup or a bad drive.


[This message has been edited by Psycho Logical (edited 07-26-2001).]

[muno]

You failed to understand the sarcasm of the quoted sentence as you took it out of the context and didn't even read the second line.
That's my point excatly,

Properly functioning hardware should allow access to any commercial, store-bought CD.

Yes, I have a failure to read, as DV-rom=digital video rom.
And, I seem to have missed the last line ->

Copying discs from one drive to the other is no trouble whatsoever.

And last thing,

In order for a copy-protected game or any other CD-based program to execute,
the data from the CD must be accessed, which is a read operation.

vs.

READ = READ -- COPY = COPY -- READ DOES NOT EQUAL COPY
Copy protection does not include or imply read protection.

What you are saying is the cd needs to be read prior to copying, but it isn't actually reading?
I always thought that if you want to copy something, it needs to be read into memory and then written onto the disc. Well, I could be wrong.
-M

[FeOats]

Although it wasn't a DVD drive, I did have a Creative 24X CD-rom drive suddenly develop reading problems exactly as you've described. I wasn't looking for the easy way out, but after spending a lot of time researching and trying different things (including cleaning the drive) etc., I replaced it drive with a $50 48X Memorex. The problems went away.