Solved! Dvd not recognized

[revron_49]

Hi.
My daughter has an HP DV5-2045DX notebook. It will play cd's but no longer recognizes dvd's. She has
uninstalled and reinstalled drivers, cleared cache and memory. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
revron

 

[Chainzsaw]

Do you have a DVD player such as POWER dvd?

If not.... download VLC media player (its free).

If it still doesn't work with VLC media player - it's either the light diode on the DVD drive is dirty or depending on how old the laptop is - it may just be worn out.

 

[revron_49]

Do you have a DVD player such as POWER dvd?

If not.... download VLC media player (its free).

If it still doesn't work with VLC media player - it's either the light diode on the DVD drive is dirty or depending on how old the laptop is - it may just be worn out.

Thanks for the ideas. She already had VLC, so now she will see about cleaning the light diode. I suggested to her to go online to see where the diode is located and how to get to it clean it. If you know how to clean it, please let me know and that may save her time.
Again, Thanks

 

[Chainzsaw]

All you need is a Q-TIP with some 90% isopropyl alcohol.

Basically the light diode that is used for reading CD's DVD's should look like a little glass "eye". Usually found near the middle of the tray if it indeed is a tray (where the DVD goes). It is usually mounted a moving platform (with usually a ribbon) to read the CD/DVD.

Check this out:

http/37prime.com/bluray_03.jpg

That may be a blu ray/DVD diode combo - but hers should look very similar, albeit, with only 1 eye.

Now make sure the computer is off when doing this and make sure the DVD tray is ejected (also take out the battery on the laptop). You will need much care for this part as to not break anything.

When cleaning the diode - make sure the Q TIP is not moist. It should be slightly damp - and not dripping. All you have to do is wipe the diode gently (and kind of make a turning motion - one way only over the glass eye diode).

Depending on if shes a smoker or not - you may see brown grime on the QTIP. promptly throw away qtip.