Symptoms of a dying DVD drive?

[Red_5]

I'm trying to copy my virtual orchestra libraries from disc to my hard drive. So far I've encountered nasty buzzing noises, inability to read DVDs on the first several tries (CDs read ok), unbelievably slow copying speeds (right now it's taking over ten minutes to copy 47.9mb of data), outright refusal to copy (hangs on \"Estimating Time Remaining\" and forces me to restart Explorer).

Specs:
Dell Dimension C521, about 5 years old
Windows 7 Home Premium
Stock DVD drive (TSSTcorp)
1.8GHZ AMD Sempron
2GB Ram

Thanks!

[snoopy]

Sounds like you're probably right. Best proof is a new drive!

[Krom]

Burned disks have a limited shelf life, although burnable DVDs haven't even been around long enough for a good quality burn to degrade to unreadable state yet. If the disk or the burn was of poor quality though, older disks could be running out of life. Best way is to check the same disks in a different drive (although some drives will still read better than others).

Also it could be dust/debris on the lens, a good blast of clean compressed air can't hurt at any rate.

[Red_5]

I wouldn't be quite as worried if the discs were in fact burned... They're commercial discs from Vienna Instruments and they're in perfect condition.

I'll try some compressed air and see if that helps.

[captain_twinkie]

Commercial discs are still burned...... I would try the disks in a different drive, also do other DVDs have the same issue?

[Thenior]

Commercial discs are actually stamped.

[Krom]

Commercial discs are actually stamped.

Correct, they are struck with a die much like coins in order to efficiently mass produce them.

For early disks there is a type of mold that can get into the laminate and destroy the data layer, but there is plainly visible discoloration when that happens so it is pretty unlikely.

[Red_5]

I'll try them in a different drive but 4 out of 5 of them really had a hard time being read.

[Krom]

If dusting out the drive doesn't do it, then you are probably correct and the drive is on its way out. Fortunately good DVD burners are pretty inexpensive these days.

[Red_5]

That's what I likes to hear (aside from the part where my DRIVE MIGHT BE DEAD...)

Thanks guys!

[Grendel]

Normally dusting isn't necessary, the drag created by the rotating disks keeps the lens clean of dust. So my guess is that the drive is on the way out, esp. if it's older -- laser diodes have a limited lifetime and the pickup assembly looses alignment from mechanical wear. A good DVD burner should be around US$25.

[Thenior]

$16 samsung shipped - on sale at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 51192-L04C