dvd-rom won't play dvd

[dani82]

6-7 months ago i had to format my neighbor's computer for the 5th or 6th time, cause his young cousins keep on messing up his computer (somehow), after i'd intall winme and everything else he needed, he told me his dvdrom can't read dvds anymore, but can read everything else; since he never bother me about it, i just forgot, until a couple of days ago.

so can someone tell me how to fix it, so it can read dvds or does he have to buy a new dvdrom, and if your wondering, i did install a program to play dvds (powerdvd and windvd)

[Tano]

Does it read normal cd's? I think the laser of the dvd-drive might be faulty. First check the ide cables at the back of the dvd-drive to see if they are inserted correctly.

[dani82]

i stated that part "but can read everything else", i don't understand what you meant by faulty; i did check the ide cable, and replace it with two other cable encase it was damages.

[Tano]

Sorry, read it too quick. You have obviously tried other dvd discs just to make sure its not a disc thats damaged or scratched. Does windows recognise the dvd disc and wont play in powerdvd, or when you click on the dvd icon in explorer does it say "Please insert a disc into drive .."? Also does the drive spin up when a dvd is inserted?

[dani82]

the dvd spin and says "insert disc" in explorer