Possibly A Dead DVD-R/RW Device?

I'd just cannibalize one off an old unit....Here's one on Ebay $22....

Newegg is currently having a sale and they have a good deal on an LG DVD-R/RW.

Edit: Sorry I just noticed if you were going to scrap it you'd rather get an external. That makes sense. This one seems to have good review and a good price.

If you want to go the diagnostics/repair route (I like to go this way ): Often times there is a potentiometer on the optical part of the drive. The reason I think of this is because I've seen it before where a drive can still read CDs but not DVDs. The DVD function requires more power, so often over time the potentiometer, if there is one, needs to be adjusted. Here's an example:

Your drive may not have these potentiometers. But if they do, I'd break out the multimeter and adjust to give the DVD portion more power and maybe it wills start working again. It doesn't require a huge change, just a slight turn and slight increase.

The tracks on cds are thicker and more easy for the laser to follow than the thin tracks for dvd. So, if there is dirt on the lens the first thing it cant read is dvd. Use a cottonwool bud with something like isopropyl on it to *****gently***** clean lens.

Thanks Tank! I'll try cleaning the lenses first before buying a new DVD reader/writer. Does Cottonwool bud = Qtip, as in the "ear cleaning" gizmo?????

Okay, given that, where the heck are the lenses located inside the drive? I haven't a clue where they would be.

Do you have any sort of diagram of the internals to post here labeling what is what?

TIA!

mine failed in my laptop..........i did a bunch of research and bought this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K2Z4MS/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00

works great...........

one of it's features is that although it comes with 2 usb connections, i only need to use one..............all of the other drives i reviewed needed to have both plugged in for proper operation.

I have an older version of this same drive and I love it. Been burnin discs with it for three years now.

Unless you have an absolute need for an external one, go with the replacement internal drive suggested earlier. They are easy to install, and will be faster than an external, especially if your computer only has USB1 ports. There would be no hassle with finding a place to plug the power supply in, no need to find room for it on your desktop, and it would be a good excuse to blow out your computer and get rid of the years of dust inside.

I would like to thank each of you that have responded to my query and offer valuable suggestions....GA all!

In the end I decided to order a new internal DVD writer from Egghead.com.....an ASUS device quite similar to the LG Electronics DVD writers that one of you folks suggested. All-in-all, it's much faster than the external ones I was originally looking at.

Again, thank you for all of your help guys!

Ask your neighbors if they will hire you to wash their windows. Earn about 50 bucks. Buy a new one and use the left over money for breakfast at Denny's

No need to wash the A**wipe neighbor's windows. I already bought the DVD writer and it arrived here a day after I ordered it online.

Having breakfast at Denny's isn't such bad idea though! Yummers, Sausage gravy and biscuits!