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Question

DVD Burner Stopped Recognizing Any Media

Mar 26, 2016 4:44AM PDT

I have a 1 year old ASUS gaming laptop that came with a TSSTcorp SU-228FB CD/DVD burner and the other day while beginning to format a DVD+RW, it failed after about 30 seconds. Since then, it won't recognize any disk put into it, CD or DVD, blank or with data. I have performed the usual, uninstall, reboot and let Win 10 reload the drivers, remove the lower filter registry entry (while it was uninstalled), blown off the lens with compressed air, etc., but nothing has worked. Tried removing the bezel to see if I could just install another drive, but it looks like I might have to break it off, so not the best option. I have read several posts on writers not functioning anymore, but none where the drive failed during a process and not due to a driver/software malfunction or to where the drive wouldn't recognize anything. Of course Device Manager says nothing's wrong, and correctly lists the drive, and yes, it does spin the disk. Any thoughts? Am I screwed? Tried ASUS support 3 days ago and still waiting on a response.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Any Ideas Why the Burner Wouldn't Work Now?
Mar 30, 2016 10:43AM PDT

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas why this burner no longer works.

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The days of looking into why are long gone.
Mar 30, 2016 11:09AM PDT

While I will test a drive the test costs time so we only use a lens cleaner and slip in a new drive (which is 20 to 30 dollars) to be sure it's the drive.

Any other action would result in a higher bill. These things last a few years and it can really irritate folk that are used to deep diagnosis, failure analysis or repairing what's broke.

Let's say you want to try to fix a CD/DVD drive. Take a look at http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm

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Answer
Why not tell the exact model
Mar 26, 2016 5:25AM PDT

of this laptop so folks can help ?
I've replaced numerous CD/DVD burners on laptops and it usually involves removing one screw and sliding the burner from the case .

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Why not tell the exact model
Mar 26, 2016 6:21AM PDT

Sorry, the laptop model is a GL551JM-DH71. I've changed a few drives out myself, that's why I was looking at the bezel, but unfortunately, this one isn't that simple...at least I can see that it is. There is one detent visible, but when pressed, the plastic bezel is still stuck in a couple places. My real question is whether people think it's a matter of replacing the drive, or a software/firmware issue?

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Wow !
Mar 26, 2016 7:21AM PDT

I can't find anything on repairing this model of laptop. Ziltch !
It's like the Top Secret Stealth Laptop , sorry.

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Answer
I'd cheap out.
Mar 26, 2016 7:51AM PDT

At Walmart they consistently have a 25 dollar USB DVDRW drive. If you can't bring yourself to factory reset or replace the drive, go cheap.

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RE: I'd cheap out
Mar 27, 2016 12:09AM PDT

If I can get the bezel off without breaking it, and it ends up that I need to replace it, I'll actually go for a Blu-ray burner.

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Are you sure the bezel is in the way?
Mar 27, 2016 12:31PM PDT

Although I have never work on a laptop, generally the bezel is not what the drive being held in. If money is no object, maybe you should get your BR burner and see how it is mounted...that should give some hint.

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RE: Are you sure the bezel is in the way?
Mar 27, 2016 10:06PM PDT

Hi Oldartq,

The bezel on a laptop's optical drive isn't what keeps the drive in, that's usually just a screw and ribbon cable with most laptops today having the ribbon cable terminated to a quick connect SATA port (just like the HDD/SSD), so only a screw needs to be removed. On laptops, the bezel, usually, clips (sometimes screwed) onto the end (front) of the drive to match the contour of the laptop for esthetics and for added dust control. The problem with this one is that if I end up having to break off the bezel, any new optical drive will just look like crap...just a wide recessed slot on the side of the laptop and a dirt/dust collection point.

Obviously, I'm hoping to avoid breaking it off, or better yet, avoid replacing the drive entirely. I'm hoping someone has ran into my problem before that has a registry (other than the upper/lower filter) fix or maybe a firmware solution. BUT, with that said, if I could get that stupid bezel off without breaking it, I would like to upgrade.