New DVD Writer squeaking and failing to read

Question

Question

New DVD Writer squeaking and failing to read

by ItsMeReally Apr 9, 2014 12:27AM PDT

Hello

I've been having an issue with DVD Writers for a few months now. I bought a new DVD Writer in december last year, to replace an 18 month old one that was squeaking when I tried to use discs and would fail to read them.

I bought this one: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/samsung-sh-224db-bebe-24x-dvdr-8x-dvddl-dvdplusrw-x8-rw-x6-x12-ram-dual-layer-sata-black-oem

It worked fine at first, but after writing 3 or 4 DVD-Rs and reading from 2 or 3, it began to squeak when the disc was first accessed. At first it would slow down the copying/writing process before going back to normal speed.

Eventually, however, reading from discs, any brand whether it was DVD or CD, would result in corrupted files, my system freezing and almost every process running at the time becoming unresponsive one by one. This is exactly what happened with my previous DVD Writer that lasted 18 months or so, and the same with the writer which that one replaced.

So I took it back and got a replacement with no questions asked. I've had 3 computers built entirely with components from that store, and they're always excellent.

That was about 6 weeks ago. Now my replacement is doing the same thing. I've burned a single DVD-R, which burned without any issues, and I've tried to read from 3 different discs.

I don't know whether this is the writer itself or something with my system, so I thought I'd ask for help here. There are 4 drives exhibiting the same behaviour. The first 2 each lasted around 18 months before "The Squeak", the second two have lasted a matter of weeks. The first two were different brands to each other, the second two were the same brand as each other. The only other difference I can think of is that the first two weren't Dual Layer writers, while the two most recent ones are.

Thanks for reading. I really hope someone can help with this.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts

- Collapse + Expand Details

- Collapse -

Hmmm ...

by ItsMeReally Apr 11, 2014 11:56PM PDT

Hello again. Thanks for the replies.

The case usually operates between 45 and 65C when under load. I hope that isn't considered hot.

I clean my PC every few months, so that shouldn't be a problem. It doesn't get very dusty anyway.

I've been using Verbatim disks for a couple of years. They seem to be the best available at a reasonable price. The pack that I bought has so far burned 99 out of 99 successfully. The writer doesn't even work now though. It doesn't squeak, but it also doesn't read.

I looked into USB disc drives a few years ago, but I saw alot of negativity about external writers and HDDs. Has quality got better over the last few years? I'll try an external writer next. I'm considering this one:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/samsung-se-208db-tsbs-8xdvdr-6xdvdplusdl-6xdvd-dl-dvdplusrw-x8-rw-x6-x5-ram-black-usb-20-slim-extern

It's a Samsung drive though. It has great reviews/ratings at Amazon.

- Collapse -

Temps

by Willy Apr 14, 2014 4:08AM PDT

65C is 149F, which getting into high temps. If it remains at this level for long period that will degrade most PCs unless well cooled. It's the sustained high temps aren't always a good indication at an actual locations within the PC because of limited sensor placement but gives an average temp. So, some areas of the PC could reach higher unknown to the user. Understand, typical HD and CD drive placement(stacked) create "hot spots" between them and there's certainly no sensor there. Since the problem appears again and again, I have to suspect the PC case itself or similar is part of the problem. Even with a cleaned PC, be 100% sure thr frt. panel air inlet is cleared that usually means removing to access directly. Dust mat/mass is known to be there or has greatly reduced "airflow".

Next, Samsung offers many drives, but overall they're like many out there are offered on price and notice pricing on some models vary, excluding s/w bundles, etc.. Again, plastic is a key make-up of many and Samsung is no exception. If you can try another brand, like Lite-On, Sony or Plextor to see if you remain with this PC it makes a difference.

Ext. CD/DVD R/W are usually always slower, as they connect to USB and generally are made to be slower, like 16x is tops in many cases, 8x being typical. The main reason for that is speed relies on the motor and the power it requires to boost speed or access of power is limited by USB port.

As for Amazon reviews, just take everything with a grain of salt, because those reviews rely on immediate user input which in most cases is when the product is new so most answers will be favorable, IMHO.

All this advise is provided as a possible lead to your resolution. I hope it helps.

tada -----Willy

- Collapse -

A new approach

by ItsMeReally Apr 24, 2014 2:43AM PDT

Well I took the squeaker back, got a refund and used the money to buy the external writer I linked to above. Working great, so far.

I really hope it wasn't case temperatures causing this problem. I have seen comments from other people having similar issues with the writer I got, and also the internal writer I initially looked at.

Thanks for the help.

- Collapse -

(NT) Good to know...enjoy

by Willy Apr 24, 2014 2:58AM PDT

- Collapse -

Me too.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 24, 2014 3:01AM PDT

Well, not exactly. But years ago our office saw netbooks and the future of laptops without drives. So my PC Medic bag added some USB DVDRW and it's been great.
Bob

Back to PC Hardware forum

r. proffitt · Answer 1 · Apr 9, 2014 12:32AM PDT

- Collapse -

Answer

Only one idea so far.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 9, 2014 12:32AM PDT

Ours last for years HOWEVER if the case is hot and you stack drives or don't leave an air gap the high temperature can reduce the lifespan to a few months.
Bob

Willy · Answer 2 · Apr 9, 2014 4:05AM PDT

- Collapse -

Answer

Look into...

by Willy Apr 9, 2014 4:05AM PDT

Well, it appears you had this PC for awhile. If so, then be 100% sure its been cleaned out of all dust bunnies. Good air circulation provides cooling and helps greatly. use canned air or compressor(be careful) and get it blown out. Next, be sure you don't over-tighten screws that hold the drive down or in. If this is placed on some sliding mechanism, be sure that it does't move within its location. Place something that refrains squeaking within holder. Next, Samsung drives aren't to me that good, they are towards the low end of offering, IMHO. Overall, it shouldn't matter if dual or single layers drives other than when called upon for that service. Plastic is very much a part of drives nowadays and here the squeak can be part of that make-up. Alas, too cheap blank discs or unbalanced ones can ruin a drive over time and also just being poor blanks in general will do also. See, if having better quality blank discs make a difference. Last higher RPM 24x drives will make noises much faster and be pronounced in short order because of the RPMs involved. This is noticed in older high speed CD drives when they started to get into 54x range, but noticeable in the 16x range. thus, see if reducing burn times to 2-16x seem to be quieter and overall allow the drive to last longer.

If nothing seems to work or you can't locate issue, why not check out ext. USB CD/DVD drives, they may provide better service in your case.

tada -----Willy

New DVD Writer squeaking and failing to read

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info