Vista DVD Is Not Working on My Toshiba

Clean the DVD with a soft cloth. Use a DVD cleaning solution as well. Try the DVD again to see if that made a difference.

Test the Vista DVD in another PC. Double-click on the DVD drive to open the installation, but do not complete the installation process. Exit out of the installation window by clicking the "X" in the upper-right of the window. If the other PC does not recognize the DVD or if it encounters an error when you try to run the installation, the DVD is most likely corrupt and needs replacing. If it at least begins the installation process, the problem may be with your DVD drive.

Check your Toshiba's DVD drive by putting another DVD in it. Insert a DVD movie double-click on the drive. If it does not run properly, or if you do not see the DVD drive displayed, then your drive may need to be fixed or replaced.

Update Windows (see Resources). For Windows Vista or 7, click "Start," "Control Panel," then double-click "Windows Update," and click "Check for updates" in the left pane.

Update your computer. Locate your computer's family name and model number. This information is located on a sticker on the back or bottom of your computer. The family name options are Qosmio, Satellite, mini notebook, Satellite Pro, Portege, libretto and Tecra. Go to the Toshiba downloads website (see Resources). Drill down through the menus, supplying your computer's family name and model number.

Locate the most up-to-date DVD drivers for your Toshiba computer. Find the driver more quickly by using the drop-down menus next to "Refine search by" and selecting your operating system and specifying that you want the DVD drivers. Click on the drivers for the DVD drive. This will pop up additional information. Click on the "Download Now" button. Save the drivers anywhere you want. Navigate to wherever you downloaded the file to and double-click on it. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the driver. Restart your computer.

Connect an external DVD drive to your computer. Plug the drive into the wall for power and then plug it into a USB port on your computer.

Turn on the DVD drive if it has a power switch.

Allow Windows to automatically install drivers from the Internet. If Windows cannot find the drivers, visit the support section of the manufacturer's website and search for that DVD drive's model number. Then download the driver file and double-click it to install.

Reset your computer.

Insert a DVD movie into the DVD drive and double-click on the drive in "My Computer." This is to test the drive and ensure it is functioning properly. If the movie does not play, turn the drive off and on, and reinstall the drivers.

Remove the DVD movie and insert the Vista DVD into the drive.

Double-click the drive to begin using the Vista DVD. If the disc still will not run properly, then it is defective. Contact the seller of the Vista DVD and see if the disc can be replaced.

Source.