DVD/CD drive freezes up [ Edited ]

[erico]

I did not ask you to update the BIOS.   I am, however, happy that you can still boot into Windows. Don't update it. Be happy with what is there.

The BIOS that is installed is not the latest version. The current version is F.49.

The greatest likelihood is that there is an issue with the DVD drive firmware. There are numerous updates for the DVD software available at the web support portal for your notebook in the Downloads--> software multimedia  sections that you can try. Unfortunately there is no firmware update available. If you know which brand your DVD drive is then you can try finding a firmware upgrade specifically for your model at the manufacturer website.

You shout try the HP provided software. If there is no improvement with the software updated then it is time to replace the DVD drive with a new one. An alternative is to purchase and use an external portable DVD drive. I have a Samsung portable DVD dive that I am very happy with that I use for service calls.

[golfknuttt]

OK!  This is hopefully my last question.

My DVD drive has not been used more than 20 hours total in all the time I have had this laptop.  It has been used only a few times to write to a disk.  I am using Memorex DVD+R.  Is it possible I am using the wrong disks?  I have never backed up my drive, but I tried to is when my problem surfaced.  When I insert a blank disk into the drive, it almost immediately freezes up. Yet the drive will play a disk such as a movie.

H-Ps maintenance software does nothing for my issue.  The support assistant requires a disk be inserted to test the optical drive and it to freezes up the drive.  I can't find anything on the HP web site to maybe download a new driver or anything.  I am really frustrated with this.

Sorry I went the BIOS route without you instructing me to.  :-(  I'll tell you I puckered up doing it.  Stupid.

Thanks for all of your help though.  Regards, Ron

[erico]

If it will play a movie with no issues then it sounds like an issue there should be a firmware update to fix. You should try DVD-R disks. I have used them for years without any problems. Use a decent brand like Verbatim not the cheapie variety. There really is a difference. If using a DVD-R instead of a DVD+R solves the issue, then the drive is not performing as it should. The specs say it is a SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support. That means it should read/write to about any good quality DVD disk. Try to get the information I requested so we can see if there is a firmware update for the drive somewhere.

I forgot to answer your query about QFE's

Here is the definition from the sowtware download blurb:

Package installs Microsoft fixes and enhancements for the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and provides other fixes and enhancements that are specific to the supported notebooks. The fixes and enhancements are required to improve the performance of these notebooks

[golfknuttt]

Good morning.

I downloaded this and accepted the license, but it never installed.  I think, because I had already installed it some other time.

Package installs Microsoft fixes and enhancements for the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and provides other fixes and enhancements that are specific to the supported notebooks. The fixes and enhancements are required to improve the performance of these notebooks

I bought some DVD-R Verbatim Disks and attempted to do a back up.  Below is a transcript of the messages I received during that process;

Disk 1 formats promptly and successfully backsup to its maximum. Inserted Disk 2 of Backup. "Formatting cannot be interrupted.  Do not attempt to eject the disk or turn off this computer until the format is complete."  The "bar"  showing formatting goes clear to the end, but the formatting box never closes.  The busy light of the dvd drive on the computer stays lite, solid.  After 15-20 minutes I get a message "Format was not successful. "Close"  The "busy' light stays lite. I pushed the buttong to eject the disk and the message "There is no disk in the drive. Please write the following label on a blank disk and insert it into E:\ RONZLAPTOP 4/2/2012 7:26 AM DISK 1.

Actually I remembered the above is exactly what happened when I first tried to do a back up with the DVD+R, disks, that pre-empted our correspondence.

[erico]

Hi,

Based on the report you provided, It looks like there are issues with the DVD drive firmware or the drive itself. I will have to see if I can find a utility that will allow you to test your DVD drive. I suggest that you give Passmark's Burnin test standard a try.

It would be more expensive to replave it with an HP part than to purchase an external portable DVD+-R/W BluRay compatible drive. You can replace the drive with an OEM HP part as well.