CD-RW/DVD combo drive does not play DVDs

[4y6m319]

Hello to everyone on ComputerHope.com,

     I have been trying for several months now to figure out what is wrong with my CD-RW/DVD combo drive.  For some reason, it will not play DVDs anymore.  I have an IBM Thinkpad G40 laptop Model 2384-ATU, Windows XP Service Pack 2.  My CD-RW/DVD combo drive is a TEAC DW-224E.  Everything else - music CDs, CD-RWs, CD-Rs - will play or run, but not DVDs.  It will spin and try to load a DVD, but chokes each time before it finally stops and gives an error message.  I ran PC Doctor 5 on it and this is what I get:

(DVD Drive) Linear Seek Test*
Event Type    Description                    Time
Test Started  -                    Tuesday, July 01, 2008 11:58:53 PM
Error Message Failure starting the drive - S Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:00
              CSI Error 0600H.:53 AM
Error Message Failure starting the drive - S Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:02
              CSI Error 0600H.:29 AM
Test Finished Failed         Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:02:29 AM

Note:  All tests - linear seek, random seek, etc. - involving the DVD drive failed with the same errors.

Is this a driver, firmware, or a mechanical problem?  I don't get why other disc media will play, but not DVDs.      Any help or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.  Thanks!

[Zylstra]

Does the drive make any abnormal sounds while running?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Also, how old is it?

[CBMatt]

In my experience, when an optical drive is starting to die out, DVD-reading is usually one of the first things to go.  I would also like to know how old the drive is.

[MUKESH KALRA]

Does the drive make any abnormal sounds while running?

[4y6m319]

My PC is over 6 years old.  The drive is also over 6 years old.  It does make sounds when it trys to load DVDs.  I can hear it spin and then, all of a sudden, it will choke with a noise that sounds like something got jammed.

[CBMatt]

It sounds to me like you need a new drive.  When an optical drive gets that old, it's fairly common for it to start failing.  And in my experience, DVD reading/playback seems to be one of the first things to go.  If you live in the US, Newegg is a great place to get a new drive for fairly cheap.  And on most laptops, they're fairly easy to replace.

[4y6m319]

Thank you for your advice, CB Matt!  It certainly makes sense with all of the extra work a combo drive has to do.  I am definitely in the market for a new one and my laptop is going in for a memory upgrade. 

[CBMatt]

Great, I wish you the best of luck!

[0h_Mojave]

Hello to everyone on ComputerHope.com,

     I have been trying for several months now to figure out what is wrong with my CD-RW/DVD combo drive.  For some reason, it will not play DVDs anymore.  I have an AMD Sepron(tm) 2200+ , Windows XP Service Pack 2.  My CD-RW/DVD combo drive is a LITE-ON COMBO SOHC-5232K .  Everything else - music CDs, CD-RWs, CD-Rs - will play or run, but not DVDs.  It will spin and try to load a DVD, but it will just stop and not open.... There is no error message nothing and when u go into my commputer and click on the CD Drive it opens and nothing

Is this a driver, firmware, or a mechanical problem?  I don't get why other disc media will play, but not DVDs.      Any help or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.  Thanks!

[Dias de verano]

Do NOT continue an old thread. You should start one of your own.