my step brother bought a compaq presario (used) and it all looked good...but the cdrw/dvd combo drive has an issue...the burner seems to work alright...it spins up and installs stuff from a data cd..but it won't play movies/ dvd's and that is a huge issue for him! this was a private as is deal and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I did a bit of research and these drives were used in some macs as well...it is a toshiba sd-r2102...any ideas would be great..and or a place I can get a replacement for cheap...thanks Mark

I'm guessing that physically the drive is ok because it can still burn cds. I figure my best guess is that it has something to do on the software side, configuring the appropriate dvd software, something like that.

Hey Mike, I don't think it's software...I tried 3 different movies...and it sounds like it tries to spin up the DVD but is doesn't get is up fast enough..the program then says no dvd found? so I maybe think the firmware? Mark

I have had problems reading DVD movies before on my old PC before and it always had been a software issue, mainly the player (Powerdvd) that came with the drive.

First, will the name of the DVD show up in My Computer window? (ie. THE_MATRIX under a disc icon)

Second, what is the specs of the Compaq? (CPU, RAM, and video card mainly)

Finally, what version of Windows and which MPEG-2 decoder? (WINDVD, PowerDVD)

Cheers,
-Lee

HI there, the compaq is a 2 ghz P4, 512 Ram, 40 gig HD, 15.1" screen...it has the toshiba sd-r2102 combo drive in it...the problem I am having is that it installs stuff from a date cd, when I insert a black cd it opens up roxio and it burns stuff fine...but when I install a DVD sounds like it wants to spin up but it seems it can't get to full speed and then it craps out? and I have now tried three different movies to no avail..put a cd cleaner disk in it...blew out any dust or dirt? weird...my mac work so awesome!! another reason I hate PC's!! my poor step brother!! he wants to watch DVD's! thanks for your help...Mark