Solutions to problems with the CD, DVD and Blu-ray optical drives used in PCs/computers
Burned DVDs (DVD-R and DVD+R discs) produce CRC error messages Problem I am using a desktop PC running Windows 7 Home Premium, fully updated to Service Pack 1 and all subsequent updates. I use Nero 9 Free to burn DVDs. All of a sudden, when I play them, I’m getting CRC error messages from all…
Windows 10 laptop PC has no CD/DVD drive for software installation CD/DVD drive problem While searching the web for a Windows 10 laptop PC, I noticed that several online stores and manufacturers stress that some laptops have no CD/DVD drive for software installation. “This computer does not have an internal optical drive for software installation,”…
Is there software that can unlock the region on a DVD drive or a region-free DVD drive? CD/DVD drive problem I live in England and my work involves travelling to many countries around the world. I take a Sony Vaio VGN-S1VP laptop PC on my trips abroad. Because the DVD drive has become locked on…
Windows Autoplay problem: Windows won’t play a CD/DVD – does not detect a disc I have a fault with my desktop PC’s SATA CD/DVD optical drive. It won’t play a CD/DVD. When I put a CD or a DVD disc into the drive, I get the message “Please insert disk in drive E:”. I have…
Upgrade firmware of a CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive/writer Most CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives/writers have upgradable operating software usually called firmware stored in flash ROM (read-only memory) inside the drive itself. If you upgrade firmware to the latest version you can often solve problems such as the inability to read certain kinds of discs, or errors when burning CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs.…
Format rewritable CD/DVD discs and erase files and folders – CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM discs in Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, or DVD-RAM discs are rewritable, allowing the deletion of one or all of the files and folders on the disc. The number of times that CD-RW and DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs can be rewritten depends…
Using diagnostic flowcharts to diagnose and fix hardware problems with PC components As you can see from looking at any of the diagnostic flowcharts made available from the following link, there are no photo-illustrations or explanations of basic computer functions. The intended audience is the hobbyist or technician who already has some experience of repairing…
PROBLEM: I bought some music tracks from Nokia’s online store. I want to transfer them to my iPod. Unfortunately, all of the tracks are in the WMA format (myfile.wma) and are DRM-protected. Is there any way to remove the protection so that I can use these files anywhere, including burning them to a CD/DVD? ANSWER:…
PROBLEM: When I go abroad with my Windows XP laptop computer, I would like to watch some DVD movies that I can take with me, but they won’t play on my laptop. I get the following message: “Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer.”…
PROBLEM: I have a laptop running Windows 7. When I insert a DVD that has worked fine before today, a message comes up saying that a file is missing so the DVD can’t be played. Using different DVDs produces the same result with Windows Media player (WMP) or Real Player. SOLUTIONS: This is the solution…
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