I have an older Sony vaio desktop pcv-rx550. My OS is Windows XP. A few months ago my DVD/CD-ROM stopped playing dvd's. When I insert a dvd no windows will open recognizing that I put one in. Audio cd's work fine, data ones as well I believe. Occasionally some cd-r's and cd-rw's aren't detectable either. My computer has recently recovered from a number of viruses from when I had no anti-virus installed. I got Norton and everything seems to be running fine again, it says it has protected me from thousands of viruses. Maybe something was corrupted and is why DVD's no longer play I am not sure. Can someone help me get my cd-rom to work properly again? Thankstry uninstalling and re-installing whatever software, (powerDVD etc) you use to play your DVD's it COULD just be corrupt software/codec.
I am ASSUMING it's software because you can read audio/data dvd's.

What exactly happens when you put in a DVD?
Will not recognise DVD?
Plays sound only?

Have you tried putting in DVD and using explorer or my computer to BROWSE the files on the DVD?Nothing happens at all when I insert a DVD. I try to open the drive with explorer to look at the contents of the disc but a window pops up saying 'please insert disc,' so it isn't recognizing the disc being in at all. Do I know if it is the codec that is the problem yet or something else possibly?Reading DVD's is much more complicated than reading CD's. SOmetimes the laser fails and the drive needs to be replaced. How old is it and what manufacturer?I think its about 7 years old, Pioneer DVD-ROM DVD-116R.7 years old? That must have cost a lot at the time.
You can get a new one now for about AU$50

Anyhow easiest fix/test WOULD be to ask someone you know if you can put the drive in thier computer.
If it's still not reading the DVD it's time to get a new driveQuote

I think its about 7 years old, Pioneer DVD-ROM DVD-116R.