computer can't see dvd

[dalsquared]

Hi

I've searched through the threads and can't find anything like this problem, so I'm submitting it for your collective consideration. I recently bought an instructional movie for use in my classroom (I teach high school) and wanted to back it up for use after my dear students got their grubby little fingers on it. The movie plays fine in my stand-alone DVD player at home, but when I inserted it into the computer not only does the movie not play, but the disk is invisible in 'my computer' (dvd player reports nothing in the drive). I've bought and/or tried out several decrypters (DVD43, DVDFab, RipIt4Me, DeCSS etc) and all say the same thing, 'no media in drive' (or something to that effect). I am able to play regular DVD movies on my computer just fine, so I know the player works. I'm stumped, any clues? Anyone?

[CWR03]

Is a normal pressed DVD (Silver or gold on the bottom) or burned (usually blue or purple or some shade in between)? It could be a media format that your drive can't read.

[G_M_C]

Offcourse the PC doesnt see the DVD, since it hasn't got eyes :o

:D

What OS are you running, do you have software installed for DVD-playback (doesnt come standard with many OS' es) ? Can you make a "screeny" with the directory-structure/files that are on the DVD ?

[dalsquared]

Thanks for the replys,
It's a run of the mill pressed (silver) DVD. I'd been thinking there was something wrong with my drive too, but if so why have I never had any trouble decrypting or working (in any way) on any other sort of store-bought or home-made disk? And why do other disks (burned and/or store-bought) work just fine on my computer? I am baffled mostly by the invisibility of the disk. Could it be some sort of AACS thing? It's a perfectly ordinary, legal disk which I should have every legal right to back up.

My OS is XP-pro, and I use media player classic or VLC player to watch movies. Forgive my ignorance (and newbyishness) but I'm not sure how to send a "screeny" via this service, clue me in and I'll get right on it.

[dalsquared]

Umm, sorry for my obvious newbyishness, once upon a time I asked another question of this forum and was kindly instructed on how to post a screen grab for others to see, which I recalled only after ransacking my (obviously, fading) memory, so here's the link to a screen cap of 'my computer':
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2848/screengrabd.jpg

And here's one from DVD Decryptor:
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5631/dvddecryptorscreengrab.jpg

I swear (scout's honor!) the disk is in the machine in both cases. Similar reports from similar programs, though I can post screen caps if you'd like them.
Physically, I insert the disk, the light comes on for a couple of seconds, goes out, and that's the last the disk is heard from ever again. I'm really baffled.

[G_M_C]

Umm, sorry for my obvious newbyishness, once upon a time I asked another question of this forum and was kindly instructed on how to post a screen grab for others to see, which I recalled only after ransacking my (obviously, fading) memory, so here's the link to a screen cap of 'my computer':
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2848/screengrabd.jpg

And here's one from DVD Decryptor:
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5631/dvddecryptorscreengrab.jpg

I swear (scout's honor!) the disk is in the machine in both cases. Similar reports from similar programs, though I can post screen caps if you'd like them.
Physically, I insert the disk, the light comes on for a couple of seconds, goes out, and that's the last the disk is heard from ever again. I'm really baffled.

In the first screenie i see your DVD-drive reporting itself as a "CD-drive". Could you "explore" the CD in that drive ?
(Right click on the drive and select Explore, you'll see the exact contents of the CD i question. Post a screenie of that contents/file-list).

atm /me is guessing it's a DivX on CD.

[dalsquared]

Yes it does, which confused me further, though I chalked it up to more M$ idiocy. Here's an updated screenie:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7025/screengrab.jpg

..and another with a blank DVD to show you that I am not going crazy.
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7860/screengrab2.jpg

Any requests for another of a movie disk?

[G_M_C]

Yes it does, which confused me further, though I chalked it up to more M$ idiocy. Here's an updated screenie:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7025/screengrab.jpg

..and another with a blank DVD to show you that I am not going crazy.
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7860/screengrab2.jpg

Any requests for another of a movie disk?

Thats not what i meant; Right click on the CD, and select explore (not properties). It will show the contants on the disk you're asking about. I want to see whats on that actual disc you want to know about.

(My guess is that it's a file with an extention like .AVI)

[dalsquared]

ok, but I doubt it will tell you anything new. As you'll see the 'Properties' window reports nothing on the disk, as does the 'Explorer' window (there's nothing in the window, its just a blank screen) and the left pane of explorer next to 'DVD-RW Drive (D:)' has been clicked, so that the little '+' is expanded, nothing there. BTW, my computer is set up to show ALL files and folders (including hidden ones) and extensions. Here's the link:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3236/screengrab2q.jpg

And here's another of a previously backed-up dvd movie to show I am not as crazy as this sounds.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8062/moviescreengrab.jpg

I appreciate the help, my guess is that the AACS has pulled a fast one on us.

[G_M_C]

You shure you put the right disc back in the sleeve or box ? Cause this looks like a blank CD to me, and certainly not a DVD.

[dalsquared]

I am absolutely sure. And yeah, I know that's what it looks like, but in reality it aint. Also, to convince myself I'm not nuts, I put the disk in my dvd player at home. Again. And the movie started playing. Again.

[G_M_C]

I am absolutely sure. And yeah, I know that's what it looks like, but in reality it aint. Also, to convince myself I'm not nuts, I put the disk in my dvd player at home. Again. And the movie started playing. Again.

Then i really dont know, sorry ...:o

[dalsquared]

ok, GMC. I appreciate the effort. Anyone else?

[setarip_old]

@dalsquared

Hi!

Have you considered the possibility that it's copy protected - possibly with an included AUTORUN file?

Try holding the "Shift" key down while loading the disc (Prevents an AUTORUN file from running)...

[DJ Bobo]

Not all drives read everything. I've got a DVD that doesn't work in my laptop drive but works fine in other drives (including my former laptop drive)
Try using another drive (or computer) to rip this disc.

[dalsquared]

Thanks for the advice, DJ Bobo and setarip_old. I tried holding the shift key while loading the DVD, nothing. I'm afraid I don't have access to another computer or (at present) means to buy another burner, so I've about decided to (ahem) use other means to "acquire" this movie. Which I won't be talking about on this board. I'm pretty sure it is copy protected, it's just maddening being so soundly defeated by the AACS (or whatever power from the dark side). Thanks again.

[setarip_old]

What's the title of the DVD?

[dalsquared]

It's called 'Our Universe', originally put out by NASA.

[setarip_old]

Sorry to pushing a point but, for your benefit, I was attempting to research your DVD - and I can find nothing with that title.

1) Is "Our Universe" the FULL title?

2) What region is your original DVD?


**EDIT** I just noticed that in the screengrab that you've provided of a burned DVD (presumably a video DVD), it indicates that the File System is "Unknown". When I place a burned DVD in my DVD burner/reader, the File System is stated as "UDF". This may suggest that your drive is problematic.

[aslaksen]

Hi guys,

I'm experiencing something similar. Some months ago I ripped a DVD because I wanted to add English subtitles to it. It worked no problem. But today I couldn't read it!

I can play other DVDs on my computer.

I can play this DVD in my standalone player.

I was able to rip it some months ago.

It's a 2 DVD set, and both discs have the same problem.

If I hit explore I see the outline of a window for a fraction of a second before it disappears.

It could be a problem with my drive, but I'm reading and burning all the time. It's just these two disks that cause me trouble.

It's not a region issue. The drive is set for the proper region.

Here's the link to the movie http://www.laserdisken.dk/html/visvare.dna?a=b&vare=1216728439998176&ACTION=addbasket&vareadd=1216728439998176

And here you can get the English subtitles I wrote. http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/misc/Flammen_og_Citronen.html

Thanks!

Helmer

[setarip_old]

@aslaksen

Hi!

Your experience appears to be different than that of "dalsquared", as he/she is dealing with an original, commercial DVD - and you are referring to burned DVDs...

[aslaksen]

I'm sorry if I confused you. I'm referring to the original, commercial disc. Some months ago I made a copy of Disc 1 with added subtitles. But today I wanted to look at some of the extras on Disc 2 that I hadn't copied earlier. So it seems to be almost the same as far as I understanda dalsquared.

[setarip_old]

@aslaksen

Thanks for clarifying ;>}

Try cleaning the disc(s) - and, if that doesn't resolve the problem, try running a DVD/CD cleaning disc on the drive...

[aslaksen]

Sure, I've done that many times already.

I opened them in another computer this morning. The disk is over 8GB, so I assume it's DVD-9. I don't normally use that. I have the latest drivers for the drive, and I was able to play them some months ago.

Thanks!

Helmer

[DJ Bobo]

I have the latest drivers for the drive
Drives do not need drivers.
What you may wanna try is updating your firmware, if available of course.

[aslaksen]

I called Dell and after a bit back and forth they agreed to replace the drive. It now works beautifully!

Thanks!

Helmer

[setarip_old]

@aslaksen

Glad to hear you've resolved your problem ;>}