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How to Make a Computer Read a DVD-R When a DVD is inserted in a DVD drive that is attached to a computer, the computer reads the information on the disc and uses that information in a number of different ways. From running a picture slide show to playing a home video, DVD-R discs are commonly used for file storage. While DVDs are commonly used in computers, you need a DVD driver to do so, and not all computers come equipped with one. Instructions Computer Has No DVD Drive dreambox dm800 hd 1 Obtain an external DVD drive that attaches to your computer through one of its available USB ports. 2 Plug the drive into a wall if necessary. Insert the USB cord into the back of the DVD drive and into one of the available USB ports on your computer. USB ports are typically located on the sides or the back of a computer. 3 Agree to install any drivers that are needed when you connect the DVD drive to the computer. Select "Yes" and follow the prompts on the pop-up window that opens when the drive is connected. Press the button next to the disc tray to eject the disc. Set the DVD-R in place with the label facing up toward the ceiling. 4 Choose one of the options listed if you get a pop-up: Choose "Autorun" if the DVD-R has software that you want to run. Choose "Explore Drive" if you want to look at multiple files contained on the disc, and choose to open it with a media player if you are trying to watch a movie or listen to music. 5 Navigate to "My Computer" (simply called "Computer" on newer computers). To do this, select the "Start" button (the Windows-logo button located in the bottom-left corner of your screen). Select the "My Computer" or "Computer" button listed in the side menu that opens. Another menu pops up. Right-click the disc drive listed in the "My Computer" or "Computer" section and select the appropriate option (based on what you selected in Step 4). DVD drive 6 Go to the manufacturer's website and download software that matches your external disc drive. Make sure that the software is meant for your operating system (like Windows XP or Windows 7). 7 Locate the driver file. Typically you can find files in the "Downloads" folder. To access this folder, click the "Start" button and select "Documents" in the menu that pops up. The "Downloads" folder is located within "Documents." Right-click the driver file and select "Open" to run it. Select "Start" to begin installing the driver. Click "Finish" when the download has been completed. Built-in Drive 1 Eject the disc tray from your DVD drive attached to your computer. Set the DVD-R in the tray and re-insert the tray. 2 Select the prompt that pops up, which matches what you want to use the DVD-R for. Select "Autoplay" if you want to run a program on the disc, select "Explore" if you want to access specific files on the disc, and select "Open" with a media player if you are trying to listen to music or watch a movie. 3 Navigate to "My Computer" on older computers or "Computer" on the newer systems by clicking the "Start" button and selecting the "My Computer" or "Computer" button if there was no pop-up when the DVD-R was inserted. 4 Select the DVD drive letter and right-click it. Select "Open" if you want to run the program, or select any other option that you would rather perform. 5 Navigate to Device Manager and update your drivers if the disc drive is not working properly. To do this, select the "Start" button and then select "Control Panel"-->"System"-->"Device Manager". The disc drive is under the "Disc Drives" heading. Right-click your drive and select "Update Driver Software." If this does not work, the disc drive may need to be replaced.
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