The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and boot
from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within XP
nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
which are more recent than what's already installed.

Go into your BIOS and set the CD drive to boot first, ahead of the hard
drive.

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
> boot
> from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within
> XP
> nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]

You do have a DVD drive, correct? What model?
--
Paul


"MarcD" wrote:
[color=blue]
> The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and boot
> from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within XP
> nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]

HP DVD Writer 200j

"PaulB" wrote:
[color=blue]
> You do have a DVD drive, correct? What model?
> --
> Paul
>
>
> "MarcD" wrote:
>[color=green]
> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and boot
> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within XP
> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> > which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color][/color]

It already is; and even with the DVD (not CD) drive set as the only boot
device; the disk is still not recognized.

"JerryM" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Go into your BIOS and set the CD drive to boot first, ahead of the hard
> drive.
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
> > boot
> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within
> > XP
> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> > which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]
>
>[/color]

XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that drive.
Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
[email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
> boot
> from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within
> XP
> nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]

Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a couple of
DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a head
cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.

"Not Me" wrote:
[color=blue]
> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that drive.
> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
> > boot
> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within
> > XP
> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
> > which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]
>[/color]

DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work out
what exactly is wrong with the drive.

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]

Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered with
fingerprints first!
--
Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
[url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a couple
> of
> DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a head
> cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
>
> "Not Me" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
>> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
>> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that drive.
>> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
>>
>> --
>> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>>
>> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
>> > boot
>> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
>> > within
>> > XP
>> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or
>> > drive
>> > which are more recent than what's already installed.[/color]
>>[/color][/color]

I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in perfect
condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't recognize.
I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which hasn't
even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At this
point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd spend
another cent.

As for the DVD...it's pristine.

"Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
[color=blue]
> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work out
> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
>
> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
>
> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered with
> fingerprints first!
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a couple
> > of
> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a head
> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
> >
> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that drive.
> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
> >>
> >> --
> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >>
> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and
> >> > boot
> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
> >> > within
> >> > XP
> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or
> >> > drive
> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
> >>[/color][/color]
>
>[/color]

Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't support.

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
[email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in perfect
> condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
> recognize.
> I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which
> hasn't
> even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At this
> point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd
> spend
> another cent.
>
> As for the DVD...it's pristine.
>
> "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work out
>> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
>>
>> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
>>
>> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered with
>> fingerprints first!
>> --
>> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
>> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
>>
>> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a
>> > couple
>> > of
>> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a
>> > head
>> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
>> >
>> > "Not Me" wrote:
>> >
>> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
>> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
>> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that
>> >> drive.
>> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>> >>
>> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
>> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read
>> >> > and
>> >> > boot
>> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
>> >> > within
>> >> > XP
>> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or
>> >> > drive
>> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
>> >>[/color]
>>
>>[/color][/color]

Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a burned or
copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.

I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM discs are
burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that making it
impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.

When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as if
there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.

"Not Me" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
> It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
> If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't support.
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in perfect
> > condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
> > recognize.
> > I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which
> > hasn't
> > even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At this
> > point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd
> > spend
> > another cent.
> >
> > As for the DVD...it's pristine.
> >
> > "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work out
> >> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
> >>
> >> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
> >>
> >> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered with
> >> fingerprints first!
> >> --
> >> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
> >> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
> >>
> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...
> >> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a
> >> > couple
> >> > of
> >> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a
> >> > head
> >> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
> >> >
> >> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
> >> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
> >> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that
> >> >> drive.
> >> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> >> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >> >>
> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > boot
> >> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
> >> >> > within
> >> >> > XP
> >> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or
> >> >> > drive
> >> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
> >> >>
> >>
> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Maybe I missed it, but is your system set to use the DVD as the first boot
device?
I have had both bad DVDs and bad drives, it sounds like one or the other.
I would be real tempted to pickup a new DVD drive ($29 at Wal-Mart) and
install it just to be sure.
Even if it turns out to be something else, it doesn't hurt to have 2 DVD
drives in your machine (to make copying faster/easier).

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
[email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C761BD7F-4A2B-4266-9073-82762757D724@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a burned
> or
> copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.
>
> I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
> hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
> Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM discs
> are
> burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that making
> it
> impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.
>
> When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
> Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as if
> there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.
>
> "Not Me" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
>> It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
>> If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't
>> support.
>>
>> --
>> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>>
>> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in
>> > perfect
>> > condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
>> > recognize.
>> > I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which
>> > hasn't
>> > even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At
>> > this
>> > point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd
>> > spend
>> > another cent.
>> >
>> > As for the DVD...it's pristine.
>> >
>> > "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>> >
>> >> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work
>> >> out
>> >> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
>> >>
>> >> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
>> >>
>> >> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered
>> >> with
>> >> fingerprints first!
>> >> --
>> >> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
>> >> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
>> >>
>> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a
>> >> > couple
>> >> > of
>> >> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run
>> >> > a
>> >> > head
>> >> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Not Me" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
>> >> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
>> >> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that
>> >> >> drive.
>> >> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be
>> >> >> here!
>> >> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> >> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both
>> >> >> > read
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > boot
>> >> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
>> >> >> > within
>> >> >> > XP
>> >> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Yeah, it's set as the first boot device in BIOS; then the CD and then the 2
hard drives. I never see the "Press a key to boot from CD or DVD" message; it
just boots XP from the C: drive.

Even setting the DVD as the only boot device doesn't get it to boot from the
DVD; it just gives an error message.

"Not Me" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Maybe I missed it, but is your system set to use the DVD as the first boot
> device?
> I have had both bad DVDs and bad drives, it sounds like one or the other.
> I would be real tempted to pickup a new DVD drive ($29 at Wal-Mart) and
> install it just to be sure.
> Even if it turns out to be something else, it doesn't hurt to have 2 DVD
> drives in your machine (to make copying faster/easier).
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C761BD7F-4A2B-4266-9073-82762757D724@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a burned
> > or
> > copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.
> >
> > I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
> > hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
> > Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM discs
> > are
> > burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that making
> > it
> > impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.
> >
> > When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
> > Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as if
> > there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.
> >
> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
> >> It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
> >> If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't
> >> support.
> >>
> >> --
> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >>
> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...
> >> > I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in
> >> > perfect
> >> > condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
> >> > recognize.
> >> > I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which
> >> > hasn't
> >> > even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At
> >> > this
> >> > point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd
> >> > spend
> >> > another cent.
> >> >
> >> > As for the DVD...it's pristine.
> >> >
> >> > "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work
> >> >> out
> >> >> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
> >> >>
> >> >> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
> >> >>
> >> >> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered
> >> >> with
> >> >> fingerprints first!
> >> >> --
> >> >> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
> >> >> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
> >> >>
> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a
> >> >> > couple
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run
> >> >> > a
> >> >> > head
> >> >> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
> >> >> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
> >> >> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that
> >> >> >> drive.
> >> >> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be
> >> >> >> here!
> >> >> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> >> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both
> >> >> >> > read
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > boot
> >> >> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
> >> >> >> > within
> >> >> >> > XP
> >> >> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Side note: does everyone really waste money on new hardware instead of
troubleshooting problems? I was going to get the electrical system in my car
diagnosed to find out why an idiot light is on, but I guess it would actually
be easier to just replace the car.

"Not Me" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Maybe I missed it, but is your system set to use the DVD as the first boot
> device?
> I have had both bad DVDs and bad drives, it sounds like one or the other.
> I would be real tempted to pickup a new DVD drive ($29 at Wal-Mart) and
> install it just to be sure.
> Even if it turns out to be something else, it doesn't hurt to have 2 DVD
> drives in your machine (to make copying faster/easier).
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>
> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C761BD7F-4A2B-4266-9073-82762757D724@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a burned
> > or
> > copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.
> >
> > I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
> > hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
> > Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM discs
> > are
> > burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that making
> > it
> > impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.
> >
> > When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
> > Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as if
> > there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.
> >
> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
> >> It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
> >> If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't
> >> support.
> >>
> >> --
> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >>
> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...
> >> > I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in
> >> > perfect
> >> > condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
> >> > recognize.
> >> > I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which
> >> > hasn't
> >> > even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At
> >> > this
> >> > point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd
> >> > spend
> >> > another cent.
> >> >
> >> > As for the DVD...it's pristine.
> >> >
> >> > "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work
> >> >> out
> >> >> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
> >> >>
> >> >> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
> >> >>
> >> >> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered
> >> >> with
> >> >> fingerprints first!
> >> >> --
> >> >> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
> >> >> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
> >> >>
> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a
> >> >> > couple
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run
> >> >> > a
> >> >> > head
> >> >> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Not Me" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
> >> >> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
> >> >> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that
> >> >> >> drive.
> >> >> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be
> >> >> >> here!
> >> >> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
> >> >> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both
> >> >> >> > read
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > boot
> >> >> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not
> >> >> >> > within
> >> >> >> > XP
> >> >> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>[/color][/color][/color]

From what you have described, either the DVD or the deck is defective.
Will that drive recognize other DVDs, just not the Vista one?
If so, it may be a bad disk.
If the DVD is tested and recognized in another drive, but not that one, I
would consider that troubleshooting and not feel bad about getting another
deck. BTW: A DVD drive is a little less expensive than a car.
--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
[email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C5E347E6-DD24-4859-800A-CBE745A6A553@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Side note: does everyone really waste money on new hardware instead of
> troubleshooting problems? I was going to get the electrical system in my
> car
> diagnosed to find out why an idiot light is on, but I guess it would
> actually
> be easier to just replace the car.
>
> "Not Me" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Maybe I missed it, but is your system set to use the DVD as the first
>> boot
>> device?
>> I have had both bad DVDs and bad drives, it sounds like one or the other.
>> I would be real tempted to pickup a new DVD drive ($29 at Wal-Mart) and
>> install it just to be sure.
>> Even if it turns out to be something else, it doesn't hurt to have 2 DVD
>> drives in your machine (to make copying faster/easier).
>>
>> --
>> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>>
>> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:C761BD7F-4A2B-4266-9073-82762757D724@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a
>> > burned
>> > or
>> > copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.
>> >
>> > I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
>> > hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
>> > Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM
>> > discs
>> > are
>> > burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that
>> > making
>> > it
>> > impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.
>> >
>> > When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
>> > Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as
>> > if
>> > there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.
>> >
>> > "Not Me" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
>> >> It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
>> >> If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't
>> >> support.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>> >>
>> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:B0EBB2B9-9A02-4D9A-82A6-BE28D4601A4B@microsoft.com...
>> >> > I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in
>> >> > perfect
>> >> > condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't
>> >> > recognize.
>> >> > I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support
>> >> > (which
>> >> > hasn't
>> >> > even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported).
>> >> > At
>> >> > this
>> >> > point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before
>> >> > I'd
>> >> > spend
>> >> > another cent.
>> >> >
>> >> > As for the DVD...it's pristine.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to
>> >> >> work
>> >> >> out
>> >> >> what exactly is wrong with the drive.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+1036506653&Configurator=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=[/url]
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered
>> >> >> with
>> >> >> fingerprints first!
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
>> >> >> [url]www.coribright.com/windows[/url]
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:61346777-7CE0-4DB8-B4C7-97AF5B7ABF7B@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > couple
>> >> >> > of
>> >> >> > DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread
>> >> >> > run
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > head
>> >> >> > cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Not Me" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
>> >> >> >> CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
>> >> >> >> It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in
>> >> >> >> that
>> >> >> >> drive.
>> >> >> >> Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be
>> >> >> >> here!
>> >> >> >> [email]CarGodZeroOne********.com[/email]
>> >> >> >> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "MarcD" <MarcD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:8C9F34C5-01F2-4DB1-8525-84A642843F12@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both
>> >> >> >> > read
>> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> > boot
>> >> >> >> > from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all
>> >> >> >> > (not
>> >> >> >> > within
>> >> >> >> > XP
>> >> >> >> > nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the
>> >> >> >> > motherboard
>> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> > drive
>> >> >> >> > which are more recent than what's already installed.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>[/color][/color][/color]