The DVD-RW (MATSHITA DVD + - UJ8B1) in Dell Vostro 3550 doesn’t recognize DVDs.

[Vento]

My laptop viz; Dell Vostro 3550 doesn’t recognize DVDs instead it reads it as CD. The device is MATSHITA DVD + - UJ8B1 and the OS that I’m using is: Windows 7 professional. The drive shows no error with CD, the issue revolves around DVD only. It doesn’t recognize any kind of DVD and I wanted to back up my data for which I require my DVD to read a blank DVD.

[phunsuk]

I would like you to do one thing first. Google for any DVD identifier, download it, install and then run it with a blank DVD disc in your drive and give me output that you get. i.e. the manufacturer details and the media code of your blank disc.
Expecting a quick post back.

[Vento]

I put in a blank TDK brand DVD after which I tried it with a HP brand DVD. Neither DVD identifier nor Nero could detect the DVDs in the drive. I tried different types and manufacturers.
Anyways, I’m posting the results that I got with the TDK brand DVD.



The end result still shows that the following:
Type : :No disc inserted

[phunsuk]

I suspect the issue that you are speaking about is because of a faulty hardware. There is an unavoidable possibility that the DVD laser has been corrupted but the CD laser is working fine. Try running the Dell Diagnostics to test the drive. Please follow the following path for the diagnostic test:

* Press F12 when the dell screen’s On.
* In the boot menu, Utility or Diagnostics is a choice.
* Run the Custom test for the DVD drive with a Data DVD in it.
* The results that you’ll obtain will be enough to let us know if the issue is with your Hardware.

[Vento]

As soon I run the diagnostic test, I got the following error.

CD-ROM Optical Device -Self Test
Test Results: Fail
Error Code: 2000-0147

What is this supposed to mean? what exactly is the issue?

[phunsuk]

As I suspected, the issue is with your hardware. I was a bit reluctant about it since the optical drive did have certain functionalities alive. All you can and got to do is call Dell Technical Support, you’ll get a replacement done!