Have just bought a Samsung SH-S182M DVD/CD Drive, the second one I've installed. Installed another on a friends PC absolutely no problems. Bought the same drive for myself but it refuses to read DVDs but WILL read CDs. For a data DVD, Windows Explorer opens in autoplay but displays no DVD contents, it's blank, Have swapped cables and master/slave but nothing. System is running WinXP Home SP2. This drive is replacing an LG drive which developed the same problem in the middle of reading a data DVD. Is it possible the mobo has been damaged or the port it was attached to.

Sean aka mancsaint

If it reads cd's it shows that the drive is connected and at least works to some degree.
Are you using an 80 wire IDE cable?
Try the drive in someone else's computer, this will prove whether the drive is faulty or you may have a software conflict.
It is possible for a drive to work with cd or dvd's but not both. If that is the case with your drive then it is faulty and should be returned for a replacement.

Welcome to cdfreaks btw.

Have received reply from LG re that drive, update firmware. Have done so but to no avail, in fact it wont read anything.
Have sort of resolved Samsung to a small degree, my PSU seems to be at fault. I removed the HD attached to the same ribbon as the Samsung and it worked......very slowly. Have a 600w PSU I can fit to replace my 250w.
So the Samsung SH-S182M appears to be very voltage sensative.
Will try the LG again when the new PSU is fitted.
Thanks for any help offered and the welcome.

Sean aka mancsaint

Oviously the 250W power supply is not adaquate these days with so many devices loaded into the system and replacing the PS might help.