# DVD-RW drive problem- help? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 23, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-rw-drive-problem-help/235899 "2004-03-23T14:22:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-rw-drive-problem-help/235899/1 "2004-03-23T14:22:34Z")
Just got a new computer with a DVD-RW drive. Here’s the problem. The drive refuses to recognize my Blueman Group “Complex” dvd. This same disc is the one the guy who built the computer used to test the drive. The disc plays fine in a PS2 and a portable dvd player. It’s 2 sided and side B will play in the DVD-RW drive, but as far as the computer is concerned the drive is empty when I try to play side A. Any ideas? Is this some kind of copyguarding issue? ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-rw-drive-problem-help/235899/2 "2004-03-23T15:14:31Z")
Moder and make? Can it read CDs? Can it read other DVDs? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-rw-drive-problem-help/235899/3 "2004-03-23T15:31:06Z")
The make is a Roxio 411-something or other. I’m posting from work right now, and can’t remember exactly. Yes it does read other DVDs and music CDs. I’ve also successfully burned a couple music discs with it. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-rw-drive-problem-help/235899/4 "2004-03-23T19:27:23Z")
Dumb low tech suggestion: Did you try cleaning the DVD? It could have got a huge fingerprint or smudge on it between being the test disk and now.