Hello,

I own a VAIO laptop for more than a year now, and since a few days now my drive no longer reads DVD's. It STILL detects and read ordinary CD's, but when a DVD is inserted, two things can happen:

- the disc starts to spin but nothing appears on the 'Computer' screen
- nothing at all

I initially tried using a lens CLEANER but it didn't have any effects (although one game DVD did work after it, but it didn't last)

I'd like to find out if it's only a problem with software/windows or if the drive itself is somehow damaged.

I'm on Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) and the drive itself is a 'Optiarc DVD RW AD-7560A ATA Device'

Any help greatly appreciated,
Thank youCheck the LENGTH of your warranty...
Sounds like the DVD laser is shot.It may be that the optical video reader of the drive has failed. I assume that you have been using it for the DVD's before now without problem with a specific software. Just to eliminate a software issue being the cause download another video player (there are many free ones available) and try that.If you have access to a removeable DVD drive you could also try that to SEE if it will play correctly.In the end if it does turn out to be a faulty internal drive unit it will probably to be to your financial advantage to purchase an external as a replacement. You will also by doing so gain the advantage of portability of the drive to use on other COMPUTERS if you so desire.truenorthThanks for your help Insert a bootable disc (your OS disc will do). Reboot. Doest the system see the disc at boot? If not, the drive is shot.