DVD-ROM that doesn't read DVDs

[Shinei]

Ok, so, I bought this Memorex 48MAX 244816AJ CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive about two years ago, figuring it'd save me some space since I could burn CDs and read DVDs in the same drive.
Well, apparently, somebody forgot to tell me that this drive doesn't actually read DVDs, since nearly every DVD I've given it has returned a fail-to-read error (it doesn't even recognize that there's a disc in the drive). I've tried pressed DVDs from ADV Films, Pioneer (now Geneon), Manga Entertainment, and EA Games (I <3 Battlefield 2), and all but two failed to read--the two it did read were riddled with heavy stuttering and poor image quality and lagged the whole machine down.
Whenever it attempts to read a DVD, the motor grinds for a couple of seconds and then gives up the ghost, leaving me with an "empty" DVD drive in the drive status window.

As for my technical specs, I'm running an Athlon XP 3200+ and 1024MB of Mushkin Level-I PC3500 (2-3-3-11 timings at 200MHz) on a GigaByte GA-7N400 Pro 2, with Windows XP SP1. The drive's firmware version is KWH8.
Nothing else on my system gives me grief, just this damn "DVD" drive--is there anything I can do to fix it, besides buy a new drive?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Flashing the firmware works wonders on optical drives. Have you tried that?

 

[Shinei]

There aren't any upgraded firmware releases for this particular drive that I'm aware of. Someone had mentioned that the drive was a rebranded LiteOn 48161-H, but when I tried the firmware update it told me that no drives on my computer matched the device description of a LiteOn 48161-H.
I guess I should have mentioned that I tried Google before coming here, but after failing miserably at finding a firmware revision myself, I thought I'd come to Anandtech and use the wealth of computer knowledge here to try and fix the problem instead.

 

[corkyg]

A DVD-ROM drive is supposed to read DVDs - even that Memorex. The fact that you can read abd burn CDs tells me that laser and lens is OK. For reading DVDs, the drive uses a separate laser. And if it is kaput or its lens is dirty - it won't read DVDs.

 

[Shinei]

So it's an unfixable hardware problem? Or is there some way to salvage this drive? I mean, buying a new DVD drive isn't much of a problem for me (I've been thinking about getting a DVD burner anyway), but I'd rather the outlay of $200 be a last resort.

Edit: Besides, if I get a new DVD drive, I have to wait to install and play Battlefield 2.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Let's see...

Try this: http://dhc014.rpc1.org/Files/Combo/244816AJ_Kwh9.zip

If that doesn't work, go to device manager and find out which firmware version you have right now. That might help give you (and those trying to help you) a better idea of what to look for.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Did you see this when you were googling?

It says that you can flash your drive with the Lite-On LTR - 48246S firmware update.

Even if it works it may not help if the lens is damaged as mentioned above tho.

Good luck.

If you're wondering I got that like from this thread on osnn.net.

 

[Shinei]

I was just there and didn't see anything for my drive. I guess I'm blind. Thanks!

Oh, and as I mentioned in my first post, my drive was using the KWH8 firmware revision--now it's KWH9 thanks to the link you posted.

Edit: I did end up on cdfreaks when I Googled my drive, but I didn't see that particular link. I'll try that if the KWH9 firmware doesn't fix the problem.

Edit 2: Motor's grinding, no joy with the KWH9 revision.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

The trick is to, instead of clicking on the actual link, click on the "cached" option. Then your search terms will be highlighted, making for easier navigation.

Anyway...

So does your Battlefield DVD work, now? Are you still getting misreads?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

This probably won't help, but give it a quick read. I've gotta run, though. Later.

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php...55481&highlight=Memorex+48MAX+244816AJ

 

[Shinei]

Battlefield 2 is still a no-go. I'm still trying to figure out how to flash the drive to a LiteOn as per the link SlitheryDee posted, but I don't think that flashing my CD-RW to a faster drive will change my DVD-ROM problem.

Edit: On top of that, I don't know how to flash using MtkFlash. Whenever I click on the executable, a DOS box pops up for half a second and then closes again...

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: Shinei
Battlefield 2 is still a no-go. I'm still trying to figure out how to flash the drive to a LiteOn as per the link SlitheryDee posted, but I don't think that flashing my CD-RW to a faster drive will change my DVD-ROM problem.

Edit: On top of that, I don't know how to flash using MtkFlash. Whenever I click on the executable, a DOS box pops up for half a second and then closes again...

Maybe this will help.

 

[Shinei]

Thanks for the link and help. Can I reverse this if it kills the drive? I'm going to try the 6S02 firmware flash... Check this space for a progress update.

Edit: No love for the 6S02 firmware flash. I guess the drive is fragged...

 

[corkyg]

Have you tried running a DVD cleaning disk? Could be that the DVD lens is dirty - anyone smoke in the vicinity of the drive?

 

[Shinei]

I haven't tried a disc cleaner, since, like I said, the drive's always had problems with reading DVDs. Nobody smokes in my house, so it shouldn't be dirty...
I just ordered an NEC DVD burner from NewEgg, and if that doesn't read DVDs either, I'm going to have to kill someone.

Edit: Regardless, thanks for all the help, guys. I really appreciate it.