Tried looking for old threads in case anyone already answered this problem, but found nothing. My problem is that if I try to read or play a DVD in my NEC 1100 it doesn't seem to see that there is one in the drive at all, so I get the message "insert disc in drive E" if using Power DVD ar any other software to mention that, it can read CD audio and CD-ROM, but not DVD!?The problem only recently happened after an error in writing back using VSO's CopytoDVD. Until then everything was fine, I had just used DVD Shrink to read and store on the HD, then as usual set CopytoDVD running, then got the error after about a minute, (can't recall exactly now what the message was). I don't use the most recent releases of CopytoDVD or Shrink, as the old ones always work OK usually. I suspect I'm looking at a software or driver issue, but in the Device Manager all appears to be running OK, and the Troubleshoot was of no use! Afterdawn always seems to have someone who knows the answer so I can't think of anyone better to help. Thanx
One suggestion would be to try and locate (if available) a firmware upgrade for your NEC drive. It could even be a faulty drive. How long have you had it?..hope it's still under guarantee!! _X_X_X_X_X_[small]On Initial Viewing My Backup Looked Terrible, But With One Eye Closed It Aint Half Bad!![/small]
Had it a while, over 18 months or so now, so it makes sense I suppose to look for firmware, I will see if that works. It just seems strange that it packs up after a software error and still reads CD. Thanks anyway
Hi Cat999, There is a firmware hack for your drive that changes it from a Nec 1100 to a 1300 allowing it to burn both + and - blank media. Here is the thread with all the information. Hope it helps. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/67769 Jerry
Thanks, I've already got the upgrade to 1300. The only problem is that it won't play/read any DVD BUT it continues to play Audio CD's
TheCat999, Go to your Device Manager, uninstall your drive, click “OK”, close down, upon rebooting your PC will find and load your drive and all S/B fine If you are doing DVD Backups, consider upgrading your media. When doing backups media is very important, cheap media can often “Not be found” by your PC. Give it a try and let us know how you make out - Cheers, Pete
I have the same problem, which occured after reinstalling everything (OS and other software) on my computer. The DVD options all of a sudden are greyed out, and I get the same error message as my comrade-in-problems above: "no disc in drive E," when trying to play DVD's. I unistalled, via the device manager, the drivers for the DVD-ROM, and restarted the computer as suggested above, but this does not solve the problem at all. Anyone else have ideas about this. Could it be a decoder problem, and if so, how can I fix it? Where do I get a decoder for Win Media Player?
Hello TheCat999, I was forced to attend to someone else before I could get to you but here are some things you can try - Let’s check to be sure you have an ASPI layer in place - if not, this will “Force” one into your system - (That’s a good thing -) http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cdr_software/cdr_tools/frcaspi.cfm Make sure you have the latest firmware upgrade - To see what you have you can use this firmware detector - - (It’s at the bottom of the page called “What’s my firmware ?” http://flashman.rpc-1.com/ Then head this way to find the firmware for your drive. IMPORTANT: Get the firmware for your drive, Not someone’s that’s “close to” yours. Attempting to “Flash” your drive with a different firmware can cook your unit and, we don’t want that :-( http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php Make sure you’re in the DMA mode, not in PIO mode - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;817472 AFTER GETTING YOUR FIRMWARE, lets uninstall your IDE cable connections for your burner and allow a PC reboot to find and install your drivers all over again. This is a little bit different than uninstalling just your drive, like we did before, this is going one step deeper. Like de Man said, “It can’t hurt ya none.” ) Reset your DMA mode if using Windows XP - http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx Best “O” Luck there “Good Guy”, Cheers, Pete _X_X_X_X_X_[small] The “old man” Pete (ö¿ô) Compaq 8000, Pent 4 CPU 2.84GHz, 1GB RAM, 520GB HD. 4 Drives, JLMS DVD ROM, Nec 4X R/W ND-1300A, HP R/W 200j, AXV CD/DVD-ROM. GeForce4 Ti 4200-128MB, OS– XP, SP1[/small]
Thanks for the comprehensive advice Pete, I will give it a go and let you know the result. If no luck I can only think of reformatting the HD. Regards, TheCat999
Tried everything suggested by Scuba Pete, unfortunately still in the same position, so me thinks it may be the laser or drive itself, also reformatted and still not working. I have worked out it's probably still under 12 months old so maybe with some luck NEC will replace. Time to close the thread, so thanks for all of the advice. I'll probably find I just need to clean the drive knowing my luck!)
Cat999, Before you try to exchange your drive under warranty, try to install the original firmware if possible. Hacked firmware usually will void the warranty if they check for that. Just some friendly advice if you didn't already know. Good luck. Jerry
I had this happen to me before - I think what happened was that somehow the DVD Codec got deleted. To fix it,I uninstalled my PowerDVD program and then re-installed it. Solved the problem. I suggest your try that.
Thanks a lot guys, I'll try everything suggested, I would add however that I have installed the drive on a virgin processor and still can't recognise a DVD just using Windows Media Player, no Power DVD ever installed on it, in fact the description in 'My Computer' shows it as a "CD Drive" should read 'DVD/CD-RW' Drive, it just doesn't recognise the fact that it is a DVD drive! Regarding Firmware, the retailer even mailed me with a link to the latest firmware upgrades to see if running an 'old version' was the problem, anyway they're collecting it Tuesday and will run some tests, return it working or possibly replace. I would add that if you're in the UK you could do worse than to deal with these people for hardware and media, if you're interested the link is, http://blankdiscshop.co.uk/ some of you I'm sure will have used them, excellent prices and service. Thanks again, The Cat999
Sometimes this happens on power dvd setup.Check your dma settings are on through your system's manager on your pc.Some drives support dma other's don't the one's that don't are usually old drives but you can try on and off to see if the dma sort's the problem. I know this is off the subject at not normally spoke about on this site but after the fa cup. I just a thought for all you football lovers as i'm a dedicated manchetser united fan.Eat your hearts out for all suppoters of other club's our Ronaldo will be voted world player of the year by 2008
Actually, this just started happening to my 1300A. Happened on a DVD-RW I was deleting that I'd just written on 30 minutes before. No system alteration of any kind, just stopped reading the disc. Can't get it to work on DVD-r, DVD-rw, or some regular DVD's I've got laying around. Still reads CD's just fine though. I'm thinking something about the laser and the hardware just finally caved. I've had it for a year and it came default on the comp, but I've been using it pretty heavily. Can't get it to work no matter what I try. Looks like I'll have to get a new one. If anyone finds a fix for the problem though let me know.
Hi there kazuma, Welcome to the fold - It sounds as if your ASPI layer may have been corrupted - This is the thing that helps communicates between your drive and your PC. Try using this "ForceASPI" - http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cdr_software/cdr_tools/frcaspi.cfm No matter your PC's OS this will force the ASPI layer in the correct location ) Once you have downloaded and installed your ASPI layer, check that it’s in place by using this ASPI Checker ASPICHK - http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/su...nguage=English+US&filekey=aspichk.exe&sess=no Perhaps we can save you the cost of a drive - Pete PS. Remember to stop back and let us know how you made out.
Actually I tried the ASPI layer. Wound up buying another drive and it records DVDs fine, so unless there's a difference in the hardware settings I think something probably just happened to my laser or something. Not exactly advanced in the tech department so I could be totally off.
