How can I identify the cause of an internal optical drive not reading CDs
when Device Manager reports its is working properly and enabled, yet after
pressing Refresh it says Empty.

--
KC

KCav wrote:

> How can I identify the cause of an internal optical drive not reading CDs
> when Device Manager reports its is working properly and enabled, yet after
> pressing Refresh it says Empty.
>

Device Manager normally detects the physical presence of a device and
tests its electronics. For a CD drive, this would not typically include
a read test or a CD-detect test. The disc, itself, can also be the cause
of false reporting. Check that the disc is clean, has content and was also
inserted properly into the drive, and that the laser lens is clean. Any
problems in tehse areas could also generate an "Empty" report.

The disc plays in another CD player, and there is nothing wrong with the way
it is inserted in the tray. When try to play music the player thinks the
drive is empty. It is not empty. What software is not being found?

--
KC


"Ghostrider" wrote:

>
> KCav wrote:
>
> > How can I identify the cause of an internal optical drive not reading CDs
> > when Device Manager reports its is working properly and enabled, yet after
> > pressing Refresh it says Empty.
> >
>
> Device Manager normally detects the physical presence of a device and
> tests its electronics. For a CD drive, this would not typically include
> a read test or a CD-detect test. The disc, itself, can also be the cause
> of false reporting. Check that the disc is clean, has content and was also
> inserted properly into the drive, and that the laser lens is clean. Any
> problems in tehse areas could also generate an "Empty" report.
>

KCav wrote:

> The disc plays in another CD player, and there is nothing wrong with the way
> it is inserted in the tray. When try to play music the player thinks the
> drive is empty. It is not empty. What software is not being found?
>

Are you trying to "autoplay" a music CD? This feature might need to
be configured for the drive through its properties for the CD player.
What CD player...WMP? Real? A file association between the music tracks
in the music CD and the player might also need to be established.

Whooly Cow, Quintet No. 1 in d, G.445: I. Allegro moderato 8:18 The Artaria
Quartet Boccherini Quintets I, II & III Classical is palying.

The drive works.

--
KC


"Ghostrider" wrote:

>
> KCav wrote:
>
> > The disc plays in another CD player, and there is nothing wrong with the way
> > it is inserted in the tray. When try to play music the player thinks the
> > drive is empty. It is not empty. What software is not being found?
> >
>
> Are you trying to "autoplay" a music CD? This feature might need to
> be configured for the drive through its properties for the CD player.
> What CD player...WMP? Real? A file association between the music tracks
> in the music CD and the player might also need to be established.
>

I'm having a similar problem. My drive plays DVD's but does not identify any
cd's. It just says my drive E is "empty". Help! Device Manager says it's
working properly. It was working before. Now, all of a sudden, I'm unable
to burn a music CD, read a CD-ROM, play any music CD. But I am able to play
a DVD with no problem.

SiN...

"KCav" wrote:

> Whooly Cow, Quintet No. 1 in d, G.445: I. Allegro moderato 8:18 The Artaria
> Quartet Boccherini Quintets I, II & III Classical is palying.
>
> The drive works.
>
> --
> KC
>
>
> "Ghostrider" wrote:
>
> >
> > KCav wrote:
> >
> > > The disc plays in another CD player, and there is nothing wrong with the way
> > > it is inserted in the tray. When try to play music the player thinks the
> > > drive is empty. It is not empty. What software is not being found?
> > >
> >
> > Are you trying to "autoplay" a music CD? This feature might need to
> > be configured for the drive through its properties for the CD player.
> > What CD player...WMP? Real? A file association between the music tracks
> > in the music CD and the player might also need to be established.
> >

"SarizaNurse" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> I'm having a similar problem. My drive plays DVD's but does not identify
> any
> cd's. It just says my drive E is "empty". Help! Device Manager says
> it's
> working properly. It was working before. Now, all of a sudden, I'm
> unable
> to burn a music CD, read a CD-ROM, play any music CD. But I am able to
> play
> a DVD with no problem.

> "KCav" wrote:
>
>> Whooly Cow, Quintet No. 1 in d, G.445: I. Allegro moderato 8:18 The
>> Artaria
>> Quartet Boccherini Quintets I, II & III Classical is palying.
>>
>> The drive works.

>> "Ghostrider" wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > KCav wrote:
>> >
>> > > The disc plays in another CD player, and there is nothing wrong with
>> > > the way
>> > > it is inserted in the tray. When try to play music the player thinks
>> > > the
>> > > drive is empty. It is not empty. What software is not being found?
>> > >
>> >
>> > Are you trying to "autoplay" a music CD? This feature might need to
>> > be configured for the drive through its properties for the CD player.
>> > What CD player...WMP? Real? A file association between the music tracks
>> > in the music CD and the player might also need to be established.
>> >

There are two lasers in a combo drive, one for DVDs and one for CDs. It's
possible the CD laser has died. Try the drive in another computer to be
sure. You could also get a cleaning CD and run that through it first.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]