Hello

I was given a used laptop a Packard-Bell igo 5461 by my sister.

I updated all the drivers from the manufacturer and windows.

The Dvd-rom drive will play DVD's perfectly, but cannot read files or play audio files, all I get is a nasty crackling sound and the system freezes up.

Searching, I couldn't find any firmware update and there was a mention that the laser window might be dirty or out of alignment (DVD's apparently use a diffferent focus compared to audio or files)

I cleaned the laser head as best I could with an extremely gentle material- it wouldn't read the cleaning disc I bought.

The dvd-rom is an NEC-2100A.

Can anyone suggest some other options? If it need repair, it is likely to be expensive?

Thanks for any help!

Cheers

Bas

DVD drives for laptops tend to be pretty standard things , just with a different shape removable bezel at the front so it matches the case.

There's usually a single screw on the bottom to remove it.

From how you describe the fault it sounds like hardware , so you'll just need to track down a replacement which is dead easy here.

I have a slightly different problem with my laptops mat****a drive, plays CD's and DVDs fine but stick in a recordable dvd of any description and nothing. I have cleaned the lens and upgraded the firmware but its still the same, this despite the drive supporting these disks.

new drive would probably be the easiest thing

new drive.

Give a cotton bud with some IPA on it a go, but it's probably easiers just to replace it.