Josh ([info]cardinalsin) wrote,
@ 2008-09-19 19:47:00
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Computer horror
So, I bought a new laptop. It looks nice. It runs well. Even Vista doesn't suck as much as I thought it would.

However.

The DVD drive appears to be fubared. It displays ok, and I can read files. Plus I managed to install Microsoft Office. But it seems to become randomly disconnected. I get "the device is not connected" messages when I try to install from a CD. Or worse, it starts installing and stops halfway through with a similar message.

I've tried uninstalling the driver, and reinstalling (well, Vista does the latter automatically). But I'm thinking this is a physical problem with the DVD drive.

Anyone recognise this error? Is there an easy way to fixenate it, or shall I just call the manufacturer for a replacement?

Edit: It looks like I fixed it, by uninstalling an "AHCI controller", whatever that means. Vista reinstalled it, of course, but with a different (earlier!) version of the driver. *shrug*

(I got this idea from an internet forum, of course. I don't even know what the above process was, or why it worked!)



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[info]waistcoatmark
2008-09-19 07:42 pm UTC (link)
It's probably due to Vista worrying that you might be using the drive to pirate a Hollywood movie, and disconnecting it just ot play safe.

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[info]al_fruitbat
2008-09-19 09:13 pm UTC (link)
In my experience, modern DVD drives don't have mechanical errors as such - they either work or they are b0rked. My money would be on a software problem. What is it you're trying to install? Does the drive play DVD movies, CDs or data discs OK?

Have you installed any 'questionable' software like Daemon Tools or a DVD burner? If you have and then installed a SecuROM protected game, that will deliberately screw up your device drivers in the name of copy protection.

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[info]cardinalsin
2008-09-19 10:23 pm UTC (link)
No, the drive's been failing from the get-go, without me installing anything new, and definitely nothing suspect. It plays DVDs, but crashes after a few minutes. I've tried installing Civ IV and Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - both of them fail after some random period (in some cases immediately). Data discs seem to work ok though.

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