cd-rw/dvd drive does not read any cd roms but reads all dvds

[Guest]

I have a perculiar problem. My dvd/cd rw drive does not read my cd roms even
new ones and old ones it used to read. Dvds are read very well.
Sometimes when I keep the cd roms in and reboot it reads but not always.
The drives attempts to read and gives up. I have no clue to what is
happening and I have tried all the Support and Help from Microsoft and can't
solve the problem. I installed SP2 and I do not know if that is the cause.
Any suggestions are welcome

 

[Gordon]

Hi,

First thing to try is a CD lens cleaner disk, it may simply be clogged with
dust. These are commonly available at any store that sells disks.

Doesn't the lens read both cd's AND dvd's?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

First thing to try is a CD lens cleaner disk, it may simply be clogged with
dust. These are commonly available at any store that sells disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Sure, but the method of reading differs. A lens cleaner is a good cheap
first step.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Gordon]

Sure, but the method of reading differs. A lens cleaner is a good cheap
first step.

Ah, thanks.......

 

[Sharon F]

Doesn't the lens read both cd's AND dvd's?

Yes, but there is a reflective factor and it is different for each type of
media.

 

[Tom]

Yes, but there is a reflective factor and it is different for each type of
media.

That's not how it works totally, though reflectivity is a factor, the laser is smaller between DVD writers and CD writers, creating smaller writing pits for data; hence why one can get more on a disk that is the same size physically. Also, the reading tracks on DVD disk are much closer together. The reason why most DVD writers and players can read/write CD-R(W)s also, is there are two lasers in those drives for each type of media.

http://www.imation.com/products/dvd_media/differences.html

 

[Guest]

I have tried the lens cleaner but without success. Sometimes I have
difficulty even getting the lens cleaner to boot in the drive. I have tried
the cleaner so many times.
Any further help will be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

I have cleaned the lens several times and still no improvements. Sometimes
getting the cd lens cleaner to start up in the cd drive is even a problem.
Any help will be very welcome

 

[Guest]

The drive has been working well and reads both dvds and cd roms. I have been
playing so many PC games without much trouble until now. It has been a
gradual worsening and now getting a cd rom or even the lens cleaner to start
is a problem. With the PC games even restarting with the cd rom in the drive
does not work.
Any further help will be welcome

 

[Guest]

Please what do you think I can do cos I need the cd rw drive far more than
the dvd. Any suggestions are welcome

 

[Malke]

Please what do you think I can do cos I need the cd rw drive far more
than the dvd. Any suggestions are welcome

Since the lens cleaner didn't work, try a different drive. If the new
drive works well, then throw the old one out.

Malke