DVD drive not recognised by Win10

Forums › Desktop computing › DVD drive not recognised by Win10

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#318392 13-Jan-2025 21:19

Tried to open some DVDs (with backed up photos) on my old PC (the only one with a DVD drive). But Win10 does not see the drive

In Device Manager I've ensured hidden devices are shown. But still cannot see the DVD drive.

In BIOS, I couldn't see it (but didn't know where to look...)

When you open/close the tray, the light goes on briefly, then off. So that to me means it's plugged in somewhere/has power.

Unsure when the last time I used it, it's been so long!

What else can I do to try getting it to work?

snj

192 posts

Master Geek

#3331073 13-Jan-2025 21:26

Could be worth trying a different SATA port, in particular check the numbering on the actual board, if you've got it in the first or last couple of ports, try the opposite end of the numbering - some motherboards have had the habit of disabling certain SATA ports if for instance an M2 drive is inserted.

They should typically appear in the SATA/PCH Storage (I think that's what my ASUS MB called it when I was in BIOS for something else earlier) menus.

lurker

831 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3331128 14-Jan-2025 08:13

If all else fails you could put your drive inside a USB enclosure? That's how I've been running mine and means you can connect to any PC required

gehenna

8514 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3331132 14-Jan-2025 08:44

Try a different SATA port as mentioned, and a different SATA cable if that doesn't help. Also try a different plug from the PSU to the drive (yes, even though it seems to be getting power).

All else fails, USB optical drives are inexpensive. For example: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/DVWLGP19/LG-GP60NB50-Super-Multi-Portable-USB-Power-DVD-Rew

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#3331196 14-Jan-2025 09:06

I opened up the case, but I am not sure what I am doing :D

I've worked out that the black cable (red arrow) is the one from the DVD drive.

So is it just a matter of unplugging that (tricky to get to), and plugging into another free SATA port (i.e. the one above that, which looks like a free port?)?

I have moved the cable from the drive to another port on the PSU.

*Edited for grammar.

snj

192 posts

Master Geek

#3331207 14-Jan-2025 09:54

Starting to realise just how long ago it's been since I've had to look at SATA port markings... I'd definitely try a different SATA port if there is one available, alternatively if one of the other cables currently inserted isn't plugged into anything, try that cable and port.

gehenna

8514 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3331209 14-Jan-2025 10:03

Correct, yes, remove the black cable from its current port and connect it to an unused port. If that doesn't help, remove that cable and replace it. If that doesn't work you can make a call as to whether it's worth trying more things, or just buy a replacement at that point. Depends how much your time is worth to you.

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#3331212 14-Jan-2025 10:09

So, I switched SATA ports (and PSU port per earlier post), and PC boots up but now nothing is displaying on the monitor. As in, the monitor does not recognise any input from the HDMI port.

I've checked HDMI cable is plugged in OK at both ends. Took out and put back in just to be sure.

The DVD drive does open and close with light coming on briefly - so that's working-ish. But I can't verify yet if Win10 will now recognise this drive.

Not sure what I've done, to make the display stop working.... the GPU I didn't touch.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

gehenna

8514 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3331265 14-Jan-2025 10:32

Make sure you haven't accidentally disconnected any cables inside the PC. It's easy to do. Reseat any cables that are still connected to ports (to make sure they're in all the way), and check for any cables that are loose and unplugged.

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#3331287 14-Jan-2025 11:44

These ones are loose; I don't recall unplugging those. Normal?

This one is coming from an SSD.

All other cables have been unplugged (If I was able to) and plugged back in.

Computer now displays.
And the DVD Drive is now recognised, hooray. But the SSD/HDD (I can't recall which, right now) that I swapped SATA ports with is now not recognised. Does this point to a faulty SATA port (and not SATA cable?) Or should I try swapping SATA cables to verify?

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#3331288 14-Jan-2025 11:47

On 2nd thoughts - it is OK that one of the storage is not recognised as I am planning to "strip" back this PC by removing stuff off it (it has a million SSDs/HDDs on it lol) so it is just a stand-alone gaming PC for the kids.

I only wanted to access the DVD Drive for one thing briefly; I will look at finding an enclosure for this and take this DVD drive out and put it in that (and re-connecting that storage); failing that (i.e. cannot find an suitable enclosure; unless someone can suggest something that will suit - I am not sure what to look for?), look at an external DVD drive if I really need this.

Thanks for the help!! :)

caffynz

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#3331309 14-Jan-2025 12:40

How would I go about unplugging and taking out the DVD drive, and ensuring the SSD still works?

I have removed the SATA cable from the DVD drive (at top of photo).
The cable running from top is plugged into PSU.
The cable running down plugs into the SSD below it.
The cable then running down from the SSD is not plugged into anything.

gehenna

8514 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3331424 14-Jan-2025 13:25

you can just unplug the power from the disc drive, unscrew the sides from the case, then slide it out of the bay.