Laptop will not allow me to view saved contents on dvd

[TrudyTrudy]

Before I re-installed laptop I made a copy of all of my files, photographs, music etc., on a dvd-r disc, but when I attempt to transfer the contents back onto my laptop it now won't even allow me to view the contents of the dvd.

I have double clicked the dvd in My Computer and have right clicked and clicked on Explore but nothing happens?!

Before I had to re-install my laptop I was always given a list of options whenever I inserted a CD or DVD - now I get nothing.

Any suggestions, as I would dearly love to get my family photographs back!

[MarkRae]

Depending on how you did the copying, you may simply have built up a list of files to burn onto the optical media, but not actually done the burning itself. This usually results in a message saying something like "There are X files waiting to be burnt...", or words to that effect.

Alternatively, does the operating system you've installed on the laptop require a specific driver to work with the optical drive? Most don't these days, but if either the laptop or the OS is older than a few years, it might.

Have you checked in Device Manager that the optical drive is configured properly and working normally...?

[TrudyTrudy]

Sorry to sound so dim but how would I do that and what should it say?

[MarkRae]

Start, Control Panel, Device Manager - or slight variations depending on which operating system you've installed...

[TrudyTrudy]

Under device manager, I have listed under dvd/cd rom drives the following:
Optiarc bd rom bc-5500s

Is this the information you require?

Sorry for being so easily confused, I simply can't understand why it played before and now it wont?!

[MarkRae]

> Under Device Manager, I have listed under DVD/CD ROM drives the following:
> Optiarc bd rom bc-5500s

Yes, but is it working or not? Is there a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to it?


> Is this the information you require?

What operating system have you installed...?


> Sorry for being so easily confused, I simply can't understand why it played before
> and now it wont?!

Who built the machine originally?

What happens if you try another DVD or CD in the drive?

When you "re-installed laptop", did you format its hard disk or did you install a second copy of the operating system alongside the original one...?

[TrudyTrudy]

There is no triangle or exclamation mark.

It is a Vaio laptop, Home premium and I had to re-install via recoveyr discs then updated all online via Vaio update and Windows update. Everything (I thought was running perfectly again, almost like a new laptop...until I attempted to add my photographs and files).

[MarkRae]

> There is no triangle or exclamation mark.

Well, that's something positive at least!


> Home premium

<sigh> We're getting a long way in a long time here...
Is that Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Home Premium?
http://windows.micros...ucts/compare?T1=tab04
http://windows.micros...ucts/compare?T1=tab04


> and I had to re-install via recoveyr discs then updated all online via Vaio update and
> Windows update.

For the second time, when you did this did it format the hard disk or install a second copy of the operating system alongside the original one...?


> Everything (I thought was running perfectly again, almost like a new laptop...until I
> attempted to add my photographs and files).

In which case, it sounds very much like you didn't burn the disk properly.

For the second time, what happens if you try another DVD or CD in the drive?

Please answer my questions - I really am trying to help you... :-)

[TrudyTrudy]

Vista home premium

I believe hard disk

when i insert a cd or dvd it opens windows media

Sorry for taking so long to get back, I had to did out some cds, dvds to try x

[TrudyTrudy]

Also when I go to My computer to view the dvd it states:

238 mg free of 4.38 mb

so there is still content on the dvd

[MarkRae]

> I believe hard disk

What does that mean...?


> When I insert a CD or DVD it opens Windows Media.

Which indicates that Windows is able to utilise the drive correctly.


> Also when I go to My computer to view the DVD it states:
>
> 238MB free of 4.38GB
>
> so there is still content on the DVD

Regrettably, it doesn't necessarily mean that - it may simply mean that the space has been "reserved" for the files waiting to be burnt.

The only thing to do now is to try to view the DVD on another computer...

[TrudyTrudy]

Thank you for your assistance, I really appreciate you trying to help me.