I've got a NEC DVD + RW ND-353QA.

I've just tried to install Trail of the Twister but the DVD drive doesn't acknowledge the presence of Disc 1 in the tray, although it does for Disc 2. I would have been inclined to put this down to a faulty disc except that this is also a problem with the new version of Secrets Can Kill & Shadow at the Waters Edge. It also took a few attempts to insert the disc for Blue Madonna before it showed up as present in the disc tray. Other CDs & DVDs still work okay so it can't be the disc drive can it? & surely I can't have been unlucky enough to have got a succession of games with faulty discs? or is there another explanation? All suggestions appreciated!

Most Likely a failing dvd drive. If your computer is a desktop you can buy a new drive for under $30.00. If your computer is a laptop just buy an external dvd drive and hook it up to a usb port.

They do fail and are fairly inexpensive - however, I've had issues in the past that have been corrected by nothing more than a simple cleaning.

Try using one of those DVD cleaner discs before you replace it.

Thanks Donald & InlandAZ! I had suspected that the drive may be failing, although it shows up in the diagnostics as working, and some discs do seem to work. But I will take your advice on trying a DVD cleaner disc before replacing it!

After another few attempts at trying the discs that didn't seem to work Shadows at the Water's Edge spun into action. But I got so far through the installation then got a message to say that file SAW14.cab didn't have a recognised signature (or to that effect) & the instllation was aborted.

I turned off my PC early evening as I went out. I tried turning it back on a few hours later & got a blue screen with a message "SHUT-DOWN to prevent damage due to file: swmidi.sys AGE_FAULT_IN NONPAGED_AREA."

There were some instructions to disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.

I haven't installed anything new recently, to my knowledge!

My system is now coming up to 6 years old - I don't think it's great that it should be considered old as I thought I'd bought something upgradeable but it seems that it may be wearing out? What do you think?

You could try doing a chkdsk and see if the hard drive is starting to fail.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

or the following site includes instructions on starting chkdsk from the graphical interface instead of the command line:
http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/chkdsk.htm

If you want to check the RAM and motherboard, you can download memtest, but you'll have to either burn the memtest image to a CD or put in on a boot floppy.

Thank you for the info & links Jenny - I'm off to bed now! so will have a look at those tomorrow! My PC has been so slow for quite a long time despite defragmentation etc so already have it half in mind to buy a new system & earlier read through cazziejoe's thread with interest. I was considering buying another Dell as I was hoping that I could use the monitor I had & also the speakers plus sound system box & just buy the 'computer bit' - but now have to think about that after reading about Dell's despicable habits! I would like to think that I could do something with what I've got but I suspect it's all on the blink!

You should be able to use a Dell monitor and speakers with any computer.

If your hard drive is going bad, that could make it slow.
If your hard drive is too full, that could make it slow.
If you've accumulated malware, that could make it slow.

One thing about old Dells, they came with an install CD that was a real Windows CD and not just a "restore" CD. That makes installing Windows on a new hard drive a lot easier if you have to replace the hard drive.

If there's nothing wrong with the computer except the hard drive, it's probably worth fixing.

Thanks Jenny100, I think that a lot of the components in my PC need replacing & perhaps it would be worth it if I could buy the parts & do it myself - I'm not that savvy when it comes to the inside of the box so would have to pay someone.

Weighing it up I've decided I want a new computer! I was considering another Dell in the hope that they have been shamed into behaving better! but have just rang my brother who works for Hewlett Packard to see whether it was worth going in that direction - it seems even with a discount there I would be paying over the odds for what I would get! But, he has recommended a make called Novatech who will build a custom one & have very good reports! So any suggestions as to what I should ask for would be very welcome!

Going back to the original post, the problem might be the copy protection scheme on the disk not liking the model drive in use. That is not unusual for older RW drives.

Thank you so much Robert! I thought that the DVD drive was being 'fussy' but to think that the game I paid for is the culprit does make me mad! But at least now I have an explanation because there is no other indication that there is anything wrong with my DVD drive.

I have experienced on a couple of occasions the presence of my DVD drive not being acknowledged in 'My Computer' - the first time I went back to an earlier restore point which solved the problem but undid all of my 'tidying up'. The DVD drive 'disappeared' again a few days ago & as I'd just spent hours tidying up my files & didn't want them back in their original state I pursued 'troubleshooting' & came across a Microsoft forum. Interestingly, this seemed to be a common problem caused by various updates! I followed some instruction which involved going into the registry & deleting a couple of specific codes & it worked! This leads me to ask - is it really the copy protection on the disc not liking the model drive in use or is it one of those darned updates that doesn't like the disc?

I'd be curious to know what those instructions were.
Was it this?
http://www.theeldergeek.com/restore_missing_cd_or_dvd_drive.htm

Hi Jenny

No, I didn't google anything. The information came through troubleshooting on my PC that led to a Microsoft Help and Support Center forum.

The instructions on the forum were to type regedit, double-click on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder, double-click the system folder, double-click the CurrentControlSet folder, double-click the Control folder & then the Class folder. Select the 4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 folder. In the right pane click to select the UpperFilters registry value, edit then delete & then to do the same for the LowerFilters registry value then Confirm Value Delete, close window & restart computer. There were quite a few posters that had done this & resolved their problem with a missing DVD drive. Looking at your link the instructions look pretty similar but it's all beyond me!

Filter drivers are commonly installed with burning software, like Nero and Roxio. CD emulators do the same.

Glad you got it sorted out

Certain copy "protections" can also install filter drivers. It's good to know how to get rid of them if they're causing problems.

Thanks InlandAZ & Jenny100! The DVD drive works but still won't acknowledge some newer game discs - I could buy a newer DVD drive & upgrade everything but when I looked at the prices I decided for the money I might aswell buy a new one with Windows 7 & keep this XP (my baby!) as a back up for older games! (Well, they will be in a few years time!)

As I've mentioned before I've been following cazziejoe's thread, taking note of the specs & comments & now know what I'm going to buy!

Chrissie,

I am sorry that you had this problem but also grateful as I just had a problem with both my CD drive and DVD drive disappearing after having a game freeze up on me and having to power off my computer with the button.

I had read this thread but didn't associate it with my problem until Jenny brought it to my attention again and I followed your instructions and got both drives back, so I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you!

You sound like me in the above post. I am also in the process of getting Windows 7 but want to keep my XP (baby) as a back up for any games that might not play on Win7. I also still use my Win 98 from time to time for the even older games that won't play on XP.

Hi oldbroad,

I'm so pleased that my postings have helped someone else too!

After a lot of thought I have gone ahead & ordered a new computer with windows 7, lots of memory & a good graphics card - just that - no monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc hoping that what I've already got will work! My old XP is my baby & my new one will be mum!

Did you order from ecollegepc like cazziejoe or from somewhere else?

I hope you enjoy the new system!

Hi oldbroad, I ordered an 'iConquer' from a company called Novatech based in the UK. It's sold as a gaming PC so thank you! I think I will enjoy it!

Okay, I need help!

I seem to have lost my DVD Drive again. Last year I followed the instructions above and had no problem. Thought I'd try it again but...

It states to "in the right pane click to select the UpperFilters registry value" etc.

I don't have UpperFilters showing in my right pane. Not sure what to do. There is a DVD stuck in the drive that I can't get out. It won't open. Tried sticking a paperclip in the hole, no go.

Any help?

Alright, I tried restarting my computer again and this time the DVD Drive came back and I was able to open it to get my disc out. Still don't know why I have no "UpperFilters" in my registry but as long as I don't need it, I don't care.

Your "UpperFilters" no doubt are in a different location in the registry. If you want to find them, start in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM and Edit\Find or CTRL+F for UpperFilters.

You will get positive hits for more than just CLASS\CDROM, so hit F3 until you find your DVD drive.

Thanks Robert G.