Question Laptop CD/DVD drive failing suddenly, even after replacing the drive ?

[danirk]

On a Lenovo ThinkPad T430 Laptop running Windows 10 64-bit with latest updates and and latest BIOS version installed, I have the following symptoms:

- the CD/DVD drive is shown in device manager as "This device is working properly"
- When clicking on "eject" in file explorer, the disk is ejected successfully. So it seems that the device is somewhat acknowledged.
- When inserting a disk, the LED flickers for some time and moving sounds can be heard, as expected.
- The disk cannot be read in file explorer. When clicking on the drive, the disk is ejected, and a message is shown to insert a disk.
- file explorer properties for this drive show 0 usage and blank file system
- This happens for ANY disk, not just a specific one. Happens for dvd with data files, audio and video.
The same disks can be read without issues on a dedicated DVD player.

What I tried:

• Uninstalling and reinstalling the device driver in Device Manager did not help
• Lenovo dvd drive firmware update utilty says that I am already on the newest version
• Following some suggestions, I checked in regedit, looking for lower/upper filters keys: found none (under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} & {43675d81-502a-4a82-9f84-b75f418c5dea} )

• Event Log did not show anything interesting
• Last Windows restore point would not help
• Booted from Linux on USB: similar results: The device is recognized as /dev/sr0, but seems not to have any content/media, nevertheless which data/audio/video cd or DVD is inserted.

- Since this started suddenly, and after cleaning lens etc did not help, I was sure the drive was faulty so bought a new one and here it gets interesting:

On first(!) insert of a disk the audio was played successfully. Once I ejected that disk and closed the drive again, the same symptoms were back again. Same since then (for this and any other good disks)

Which tech magician can help me with this?

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

What disc are we talking about here? Have you tried putting the same disc on another optical drive in a donor system(not a dedicated player)? Does the same issue happen with any other disc?

Windows 10 64-bit with latest updates
Out of curiosity, what version(not edition) of Windows 10 are you on?

 

[danirk]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

What disc are we talking about here? Have you tried putting the same disc on another optical drive in a donor system(not a dedicated player)? Does the same issue happen with any other disc?

Windows 10 64-bit with latest updates
Out of curiosity, what version(not edition) of Windows 10 are you on?

Thanks Lutfij,

10 pro. Version 10.0.19045 Build 19045
This is a drive inserted into the ultra-bay of the ThinkPad laptop. The original one was
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT80N. The compatible (hope so) replacement I bought: PLDS DVD-RW DS8A8SH.
I don't have access to another "donor" laptop that would support such a device.

​

 

[General_Cool]

I'm probably closer to a tech hobo than a tech wizard, but I'd say if this issue is happening on one laptop, regardless of the operating system, it is most likely an issue with the internal USB controller. Is the laptop still in warranty?