DVD drive not reading CDs

  • Thread starter Thread starter tshad
  • Start date Start date
T

tshad

I have an XP that has always been able to read CD's and now it doesn't. It
reads DVD's fine.

I put the CD in my laptop - no problem. I put it in another machine - no
problem.

Why would it read DVD's and not CD's all of a sudden?

Thanks,

Tom
 
tshad said:
I have an XP that has always been able to read CD's and now it doesn't. It
reads DVD's fine.

I put the CD in my laptop - no problem. I put it in another machine - no
problem.

Why would it read DVD's and not CD's all of a sudden?
Click to expand...

The CD laser has failed. This is a common problem as the lasers are limited
life items (and in my view - far too limited). I assume these are CD-R
discs as many DVD drives will read pre mastered CDs using the DVD laser.
 
Hello,

Either the laser is failing or the lenses need cleaning. If the CDs work in
other computers but not yours, it is very likely a laser or wear and tear
problem and not a software problem.

Try those CD Cleaner kits if you have one. If they are quite old, they may
need to be replaced.

The price of a CD/DVD Cleaner kit is about 15% of anew DVD drive so you may
want to instead replace the drive with a new one rather than buying a
cleaner kit.

Regards,
Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
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I think you are right.

It would be better to just buy a new DVD drive, as they are not that
expensive, and not mess around trying to get it to work since it is fairly
old.

Thanks,

Tom
 
I have an XP that has always been able to read CD's and now it doesn't. It
reads DVD's fine.

I put the CD in my laptop - no problem. I put it in another machine - no
problem.

Why would it read DVD's and not CD's all of a sudden?
Click to expand...

Your drive just got religion.

DVDs are good but CDs are the work of the devil.
 
Singapore Computer Service said:
Hello,

Either the laser is failing or the lenses need cleaning. If the CDs work
in other computers but not yours, it is very likely a laser or wear and
tear problem and not a software problem.

Try those CD Cleaner kits if you have one. If they are quite old, they may
need to be replaced.

The price of a CD/DVD Cleaner kit is about 15% of anew DVD drive so you
may want to instead replace the drive with a new one rather than buying a
cleaner kit.
Click to expand...

Afraid not. If the lens needed cleaning, it wouldn't read DVDs.
 
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