[HOME] Fix your computer!

[Julianachos]

Reformat

That was always my solution.

[killin]

I got a problem. Own a Hp pavilion dv6810us notebook PC.

Problem: Can't read DVD/ Cd's

Symptoms: The disks will spin for a few seconds, then stop.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and it doesn't even recognized it has a DVD/CD ROM.

Attempts: I tried cleaning the lens and unplug and plug the hardware, nothing.

I think it could be a software problem. I tried searching for the driver online so Vista could recognize it, but came up with whale poo.

Maybe the ROM is toast, I dunno.

So if you could help give suggestions, the DVD/CD ROM is a Pioneer DVR-K17B.

open your case and check your connection leading to and from the dvd-drive, if they are secured in, boot up your computer and see if windows recognizes the drive. if i still doesnt read that drive then its time for a new one

[mj213]

I got a problem. Own a Hp pavilion dv6810us notebook PC.

Problem: Can't read DVD/ Cd's

Symptoms: The disks will spin for a few seconds, then stop.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and it doesn't even recognized it has a DVD/CD ROM.

Attempts: I tried cleaning the lens and unplug and plug the hardware, nothing.

I think it could be a software problem. I tried searching for the driver online so Vista could recognize it, but came up with whale poo.

Maybe the ROM is toast, I dunno.

So if you could help give suggestions, the DVD/CD ROM is a Pioneer DVR-K17B.

Look for diagnostics on either HP or Pioneer's site (if it came with your laptop HP should have diagnostics).

If it can't read any media at all (dvd or cd) try putting a recovery disc or something in your drive and reboot the computer. If you know how to get your boot menu or you can go into the system setup/bios with I believe the F10 key and put the cd drive at the top of the boot order.

Basically you want to test your drive outside of the operating system. If it doesn't work there, it's most likely your drive.

[ibr_adam09]

Look for diagnostics on either HP or Pioneer's site (if it came with your laptop HP should have diagnostics).

If it can't read any media at all (dvd or cd) try putting a recovery disc or something in your drive and reboot the computer. If you know how to get your boot menu or you can go into the system setup/bios with I believe the F10 key and put the cd drive at the top of the boot order.

Basically you want to test your drive outside of the operating system. If it doesn't work there, it's most likely your drive.

I couldn't find anything from Pioneer, also HP had a generic troubleshoot that involed messing with the registery, which didn't work.

I placed the CD- ROM on the top of my boot order in the BIOS, but I have no idea what I'm looking for, it starts up normal.

I did check 'Start > Crotrol Panel > Device manager', but didn't find anything related to Dvd/ CD drives. :shrugs:

[Masamune]

I got a problem. Own a Hp pavilion dv6810us notebook PC.

Problem: Can't read DVD/ Cd's

Symptoms: The disks will spin for a few seconds, then stop.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and it doesn't even recognized it has a DVD/CD ROM.

Attempts: I tried cleaning the lens and unplug and plug the hardware, nothing.

I think it could be a software problem. I tried searching for the driver online so Vista could recognize it, but came up with whale poo.

Maybe the ROM is toast, I dunno.

So if you could help give suggestions, the DVD/CD ROM is a Pioneer DVR-K17B.

First and foremost, kudos for taking at least some steps on your own. You're already lightyears ahead of the average joe.

Now, CD/DVD/Blu-Ray drives don't have "drivers" per se. For XP and newer OS DVD and CD drives were able to be universally recognized w/o extra software. The software that comes with the drive is just to enhance functionality.
This could be a problem with the HD and I would recommend checking for errors, either through windows or some other proprietary program. I would recommend using this method to check for errors. If it comes up clean then it's time to get a new CD drive.

[Raf99]

I got a problem. Own a Hp pavilion dv6810us notebook PC.

Problem: Can't read DVD/ Cd's

Symptoms: The disks will spin for a few seconds, then stop.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and it doesn't even recognized it has a DVD/CD ROM.

Attempts: I tried cleaning the lens and unplug and plug the hardware, nothing.

I think it could be a software problem. I tried searching for the driver online so Vista could recognize it, but came up with whale poo.

Maybe the ROM is toast, I dunno.

So if you could help give suggestions, the DVD/CD ROM is a Pioneer DVR-K17B.

Is this XP?
Got Nero installed?

[wherm]

You are awesome! Thank you so much for this thread. I'm not much of a computer guy but you simplified everything so well I was able to clean up my computer better than ever! I had tons of spyware/malware and even a trojan.bho.h virus. I used comfix to get rid of that one. Thanks again, I learned a lot from this thread!

[Phempa]

People make this stuff WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

It is EXTEREMELY easy to keep your computer clean.

1. Reformat with a fresh copy of your OS.
2. Install all OS updates.
3. Install Firefox and Adblock Plus
4. STOP PIRATING STUFF USING LIMEWIRE!!!!! Use respected torrent sites, instead.

Use Firefox ONLY (NEVER open Internet Explorer), and regularly update your OS, and your computer will run like new for a long time. I've been running the same OS installs on two of my computers for years now, no antivirus program, no ant-spyware crap, no firewall.

If you use Firefox, and browse safe sites (no porn sites.... there are easier, safer ways to get porn on the web), then you will never have a problem.


I simply cannot understand how people can manage to get their computer infected. According to some, I run an extremely unsafe setup, and I've never managed to contract a virus or infection of any sort.



FIREFOX + ADBLOCK PLUS = THE ANSWER

[Masamune]

People make this stuff WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

It is EXTEREMELY easy to keep your computer clean.

1. Reformat with a fresh copy of your OS.
2. Install all OS updates.
3. Install Firefox and Adblock Plus
4. STOP PIRATING STUFF USING LIMEWIRE!!!!! Use respected torrent sites, instead.

Use Firefox ONLY (NEVER open Internet Explorer), and regularly update your OS, and your computer will run like new for a long time. I've been running the same OS installs on two of my computers for years now, no antivirus program, no ant-spyware crap, no firewall.

If you use Firefox, and browse safe sites (no porn sites.... there are easier, safer ways to get porn on the web), then you will never have a problem.


I simply cannot understand how people can manage to get their computer infected. According to some, I run an extremely unsafe setup, and I've never managed to contract a virus or infection of any sort.

FIREFOX + ADBLOCK PLUS = THE ANSWER

I agree whole-heartedly with this post. Limewire, by it's very nature, is a free, open port into your computer. You don't have to download ANYTHING to get viruses from this mess of a program. Someone can simply choose to send you a file and you wouldn't even know it was there until the problems started to pop-up. Ditch Limewire people, it's time to move on...

[Masamune]

Guide is finished for now! Maybe sticky?

[ibr_adam09]

First and foremost, kudos for taking at least some steps on your own. You're already lightyears ahead of the average joe.

I would recommend using this method to check for errors. If it comes up clean then it's time to get a new CD drive.

Oh, why thank you. I'm flattered, but I still have lots of questions !

I did the method from above during 'boot up' and if you meant "clean" as in "no errors occurred", then I guess the driver is bad. BTW, a week or two ago I performed back to factory setting install and updated to Vista Sp2. The computer itself runs great, no problems.



Til' this moment the CD-drive is garbage (can't play/burn Cd's or DVD's) , oh well... Anybody wants to spare me a Cd-drive ?

Anyhow, new topic:

My dad has an old Emachines 'E- Monster 550' that running on window 98'. Yes, from factory and it's over 10 years old !
He only uses it for work to run a Retail ICE program. Ringing up customers, keep inventory, check monthly sales and such. That's all this computer did in its lifetime, never seen the beauty of internet and never had gotten a virus, It's a trooper !

He has finally decided to upgrade and get something a new, but he wants all of his files and other important documents left on the computer transer to a new one.

Here's the problem, I want to use my WD passport portable 320gb hard drive to collect the files; however the computer cant read/ doesn't know its connected to it.

I believe its because the computer is USB 1.1 and my drive is 2.0 ?!

That or I just don't know how to use Win98 because I know that I'm much more familiar with Xp and vista than that ol' crap, lol.

Pics for the imagery thinkers, haha;

[CustomLowz]

Oh, why thank you. I'm flattered, but I still have lots of questions !

I did the method from above during 'boot up' and if you meant "clean" as in "no errors occurred", then I guess the driver is bad. BTW, a week or two ago I performed back to factory setting install and updated to Vista Sp2.



Til' this moment the CD-drive is garbage, oh well... Anybody wants to spare me a Cd-drive ?

Anyhow, new topic:

My dad has an old Emachines 'E- Monster 550' that running on window 98'. Yes, from factory and it's over 10 years old !
He only uses it for work to run a Retail ICE program. Ringing up customers, keep inventory, check monthly sales and such. That's all this computer did in its lifetime, never seen the beauty of internet and never had gotten a virus, It's a trooper !

He has finally decided to upgrade and get something a new, but he wants all of his files and other important documents left on the computer transer to a new one.

Here's the problem, I want to use my WD passport portable 320gb hard drive to collect the files; however the computer cant read/ doesn't know its connected to it.

I believe its because the computer is USB 1.1 and my drive is 2.0 ?!

That or I just don't know how to use Win98 because I know that I'm much more familiar with Xp and vista than that ol' crap, lol.

Pics for the imagery thinkers, haha;

I think you will need to download the appropriate drivers for the hard drive...

[Masamune]

USB when windows 98 was new was known as "Plug and Pray" as far as USB support went. It was very hit-or-miss. What you have is a very unique situation, as USB won't connect and more than likely the new machine will have a SATA drive rather than IDE (PATA for you nit-picky types). You could still use Knoppix on bootup and see if that would understand your USB harddrive. This isn't really a fix to the problem though. The true issue here is the USB 1.1 vs 2.0 problem. Transfer speeds for documents will be, for lack of a better word, abysmal. I mean if you have a few MB of data to move it shouldn't be that bad, but anything over 100MB and you're going to be sitting for a LOOOONG time.

Possible solutions:
-Knoppix (mentioned above)
-slave the old HD into the new computer and drag and drop the files (quickest, ultimately easiest solution)
-Attempt to network the computers together (absolute total last resort, good luck because that is going to be a nightmare to setup)

[immeraufdemhund]

wow, as a fellow computer repair man I can't agree more with your write up. I have a similar method to yours but am not as thorough and seem to get all the virus' clean. i also have ran a very long time with no anti-virus...anti anything with only firefox running. My step dad about had a heart attack when he found out.. I said you know I have had it this way for over 2 years and have had 0 virus'. You on the other hand have 2 or 3 virus programs and anit- malway, spyware..blah blah blah and a firewall.. and as i recall i've had to clean out your hard drive about 2 times last month alone... So who's more safe.. he just got angry and threw my computer against the wall and said to get a antivirus program or i can't use it.. i just chuckled and put avg free on their... oh and a quick link is www.free.avg.com than you don't have to search for the free version. and download the program not the installer. It is a bunch quicker in the end.

[Phempa]

^^ As I see it, Dad's have no right telling kids how to maintain technology.