Member Avatar for makjak

I have an Acer 5520. Awhile ago it did not recognize my DVD. I tried the bios and turned it on and off and it finally found it. Now it did it again and I can not get it to find the DVD. The DVD player/writer works but the computer wont recognize it. What can I do to fix it permanently.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by wtstalin88

Dani AI

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This problem looks like an intermittent device-enumeration issue rather than a bad disc. Replies from , and rightly split the possibilities into media, software and hardware — below are practical, non-destructive checks that were not yet suggested and that help isolate the real cause.

First, try the Windows registry filter cleanup (back up the registry or create a restore point first). Open regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
If you see values named UpperFilters or LowerFilters, export that key, then delete those values and reboot. This removes third-party filter drivers that commonly hide optical drives from the OS.

Second, isolate hardware vs OS. Power completely off, remove battery/power, and carefully remove the optical module so you can inspect and reseat the connector. Check for a bent pin, debris, or a loose/oxidized connector. If possible, test the unit in another machine or use a simple USB optical-drive adapter/enclosure to see whether the drive is reliably detected elsewhere — that tells whether the drive itself is failing.

Third, test outside Windows. Boot a small Linux live USB (Ubuntu, Mint, or similar) and look in the file manager or system log for the drive. If Linux sees it consistently while Windows does not, the issue is in Windows configuration; if neither OS sees it, the problem is physical.

If those steps identify a firmware or compatibility problem, look up the optical-drive vendor for a firmware update or a documented fix specific to the Acer 5520 model. If the drive is hardware-faulty, replacing the slimline laptop module or using an inexpensive external USB optical drive are the usual, reliable fixes.

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Member Avatar for jingda

There might be something wrong with your dics, did this problem happens on other disc?

Member Avatar for Sariscos

Try downloading the drivers for it from the manufacturer's website. That's really strange. It should be detected automatically. Perhaps the drive is malfunctioning or broken.

Member Avatar for jingda

Hi Sariscos. The original poster have not come back and reply for a long time so we do not know how is his progress. What he mean is he can't find his DVD, i am not sure if he mean only one or all of his DVD can't be read and play. Can be a driver problem as well but till now we are not sure what he has done. MAybe he has already updated the driver and the problem still persists. But hey, nice to see you participate in this forum. See you around:)

Member Avatar for Sariscos

Hi Jingda,

I guess he got mad and bought a different drive. Hopefully he upgraded to Blu-Ray. DVD is so 2006.

Member Avatar for jingda

Ya, the last time i use a DVD player was a few years back then. Now i am using Blu Ray, higher definition.

Member Avatar for wtstalin88

its Your windows probelm as well as
First reinstall Your window and than drivers
after tha your laptop is ready for work.

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