DVD drive not reading CDs

[Pierce]

Hi, the DVD drive on my emachines refuses to read any CDs. It is the stock DVD drive that came with the computer, and whenever I enter a CD nothing happens. When I first got the computer the drive worked fine, but then I did not use the drive for months, and now I need it but it won't work. I deleted some spyware in hopes of it working, but no dice. No virus either so I am baffled as to why it won't work. I opened the insides and everything looks fine.

When I go to start> my computer > dvd-rw drive (e: ) it shows nothing in the drive when I have a cd in it.

Anyone know a cure? Thanks for any help.

 

[AmberClad]

The CD laser may have simply burned out. I had this happen with an NEC DVD drive once. It still reads and write DVDs just fine, but it's completely non-functional as far as CDs go.

 

[Roguestar]

How bizarre.

Get a new CD drive. In fact, get yourself a multi-format dual-layer DVD/CD burner for like $50 or whatever ridiculously low price it is nowdays.

 

[Pierce]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
The CD laser may have simply burned out. I had this happen with an NEC DVD drive once. It still reads and write DVDs just fine, but it's completely non-functional as far as CDs go.

Burned out? I hardly ever use the DVD drive, so could it really have been burned out?

 

[esquared]

Yes, they can just go out. I've owned a few Lite-On DVD drives (model 163 I think) and all of them stopped being able to read DVDs. They could still read CDs.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Pierce

Originally posted by: AmberClad
The CD laser may have simply burned out. I had this happen with an NEC DVD drive once. It still reads and write DVDs just fine, but it's completely non-functional as far as CDs go.

Burned out? I hardly ever use the DVD drive, so could it really have been burned out?

If it's a premature failure, like it was in my case (had it for a bit more than a year), it might be simple manufacturing defects.

I think what pushed mine over the edge was the strain of burning a CD. The software popped up an error in the middle of the burn, the CD ejected, and that marked the end of the drive's CD reading/writing days.

When I mentioned my issues with the drive here, someone else noted they knew others who had the same occur with the model I had. Likely a bad manufacturing batch. So it happens from time to time.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: esquared
Yes, they can just go out. I've owned a few Lite-On DVD drives (model 163 I think) and all of them stopped being able to read DVDs. They could still read CDs.

It's comforting to know that if that happens to my Lite-On, I'll still have a partially functioning NEC capable of reading DVDs, and a partially functioning Lite-On capable of reading CDs :laugh:.

 

[Pierce]

Ok well it could be manfacturing defect, who knows, but I still have another problem

I put in another DVD drive, but the problem is the tray won't open. I don't see any light lit on the front of the drive, but Windows recognized the new drive and I got like 5 messages saying new drive. What could be the problem now? I know I put the power cable in correctly, but should I do it again?

 

[AmberClad]

Maybe try the paper clip trick. Most all drives I've seen have a tiny hole in the front face plate that you can stick a straightened paper clip through, to manually open the tray if there's no power to the drive. After doing that, stick a disk in and see if it reads. If it does, maybe you have another partially busted drive (broken tray motor?).

Oh, and shutdown the computer before you do this.

 

[Pierce]

Ok well this is odd. I tried a third DVD drive and connected it using the same power connector I used for the second DVD drive and it worked. For some reason the power goes through the first and third DVD drive but not the second. I got the the second DVD Drive free with a purchase I made off a guy online, but I never tested the drive until now (didn't need to before). My third DVD drive is busted because somehow a CD exploded in it and it won't open, so I can't use that. Is there any reason why the second DVD does not power on? Windows recognizes the drive, yet it won't power on. Sigh I am so tired.

I just want a fix to the second drive as I am assuming it is my bet bet.

 

[betasub]

So you now have 3 optical drives:

Drive 1 - CD laser does work (DVDs only for this one!)
Drive 2 - Unused, tray stuck closed (try paperclip method as advised by Amber)
Drive 3 - Fragmented CD caused tray to stay closed (paperclip method again to remove fragments).

You are not having a lot of luck with these drives. Not sure whether you need to use better media or take better care of the hardware.

 

[Pierce]

How can I take better care of the drives? Not like I'm using them as a football

I will try the paper clip method, but will that permanently fix the drive and allow the tray to come out at the push of a button? But I should use the paper clip method to see if the drive reads.

OK I have another question. I bought a new drive today; it is a Memorex which was on sale @ Compusa. Not sure how great Memorex drives are, but I hope they can get me by for at least a few months (until I get a job). Ok my question is, I want to install this old game I have. Thing is the cds have a lot of scratches on them but they still work. I just want to install the game and never use the scratched CDs again. The installation in total takes about 15 mins, so if I do insert the scratched CDs in the drive and install the game, will it leave any damage to the drive?

Again thanks for all the help and info. Really appreciate it.

 

[Gibson486]

This happend to me so much. On my last laptop, i must have had 5 dvd drives and each one failed at one point. The ones that last the longest the the ones that come with the computer.