DVD 's skipping / freezing

[-nick]

I didn't see this topic come up before in the search.

My dvd player has fairly recently begun skipping badly when playing movies and I often get a "dvd device cannot be removed etc" message pop up for no apparent reason. At other times I'll get an "unreadable format etc" message on a perfectly fine dvd.

Is this just indicative of a bad dvd drive, or something else?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

That looks like it all points to a bad drive.
Get a combo DVD-CDRW or splash out on a DVD-RW.

[rkawakami]

Cheap repair attempts; nothing to lose...

1) With the system off, remove the DVD drive and re-install. There may be some dirty/bad connections. Try the disk(s). If that doesn't work...

2) Open DVD drawer. Use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the lens of the laser. Allow the alcohol to dry (about 10 seconds). Try the disk(s).

If either/both of these things fixed the problem, you saved yourself some $$$. If not, well... it might be time to start looking around for another drive. Before you do however....

You can also try downloading a copy of PC Doctor for the T2x system from here:

diskette version of PC Doctor for the T2x

or here:

.ISO file of PC Doctor for T2x

This program has a diagnostic which will check out your optical drive. I would recommend that you run the test twice; once with a CD and a second time with a DVD. Both disks should be as full as possible so that the drive accesses the maximum disk sectors. If you need any assistance with PC Doctor, just give a holler.

Since I just brought it up, does the drive have any problems with playing a CD?

[-nick]

A replacement mobo solved all my T21 running problems - skipping dvd's too.