I've experienced some very strange issues with my computers over the years and I can't say that this one is the worst, but this is something I have no experience with.

Just a few minutes ago, I noticed that my DVD-ROM suddenly and unexpectedly changed. It used to be known to my computer as a 'SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-308B, ATAPI CD/DVD-ROM drive' using device /dev/hdc, which was correct.

This morning I needed to install a package from my Slackware CD to compile XChat. It mounted fine (like all other times before that), but when I tried to install the package, it gave me an 'Package is corrupt.' error message. I found this strange as the CD was brand new with no scratches and I've never had this problem before.

I used 'ls' to display the files in the directory I was in and while most of the files where correct, there one (at the end) I noticed called something like '!@$%@.13' or something similar.

I decided to reboot and was very surprised to see that my computer now displayed the DVD ROM as 'SAMSUNG CDSW/DVD!SM-309B! ! ! ! ! ! ! !, ATAPI CD/DVD drive.' (still using /dev/hdc).

It now cannot load the Slackware boot CD and when I try to mount it, it gives me the message "mount: you must specify the filesystem type". It's worth mentioning that I flashed this drive about a year ago to remove the region lock but I never had a problem with it after flashing expect this.

I don't think it's a software issue as I can't even begin to think what would have caused it. I'm running an almost fresh install of Slackware 11.0 when this happened and I hadn't done anything relating to the DVD ROM.

Had anybody had an issue like this? If so, how did you fix it? I'm thinking of just to reflashing, but I'll wait for some advice first.

Huge thanks to any replies.

I used to have an LG DVD-ROM that went south after a few years. When I booted the computer, the BIOS showed some weird information for it during post. Then in Windows (not sure if I had linux installed at the time) it would have some weird characters as part of the name. I can't say it was exclamation points like you are seeing, but it wasn't pretty. I wonder if it's possible that your DVD-ROM has failed. Have you double checked the IDE cables and everything?

Haven't done that yet, although I find it hard that they would just come loose. I'll give it try however. I should have mentioned that I have another CD-ROM (sharing the same IDE cable IIRC) that wasn't effected.

Yea, I've just checked the cables. None loose or anything.

From my experience, if I was in your position, I'd be looking for a new DVD-ROM... but since I'm not, I hope someone else here will have more positive news for you. You could always try it in a different computer, too...

I would not use Samsung drives for my data. They are not reliable and stable enough. I give them a worthless stamp. You can try LG or Lite-on drives. They are cheap, but a lot better than Samsung drives.

CD/DVD recordable discs do not last long. If you stick a label on it, the lifespan of the disc decreases more.

Higher the write (burn) speed, more distorted the pits are. Lower the write (burn) speed, pits are near perfect and data corruption is reduced significantly. You will have to balance write (burn) time and quality of the data. If you care for your data, write (burn) at a slow speed. If you are in a hurry, set write (burn) at the fastest speed at the cost of data quality. OS CD/DVD discs should be write (burn) at the lowest speed the drive can do.

Well the good news that this isn't on my main computer. It's an older computer using hardware from other machines. I'm not too worried that the drive is broken as I have another in the same computer.

I'm just wounding if anybody knew if this was fixable. The computer can still detect it and it seems to me that only the drive's firmware is damaged. If nobody has any other ideas, I'll try reflashing. It most likely not going to help, but it's worth a shot.

Anyway thanks for the advice.