Need Help w/ CD-R/RW Drive: Misbehaving, or Dead?

[LightForce]

(Due to no response in the Technical Support forum, I've reposted this here.)

My Philips CD-R/RW drive no longer recognizes CDRs. In Windows Explorer, I get a "not ready" error, and in Easy CD Creator, it asks me to insert a recordable disc.

I used Philips' webchat-help, and followed their directions by reinstalling the software (Easy CD Creator and associated programs). This did nothing, and I'm back to where I started.

It seems to me that my drive is dead or dying (it still seems to read regular CD-ROMs fine), but I don't want to give up on it until I know for certain. The drive isn't under warranty anymore, and I was lucky to get help through the webchat.

Any hardware gurus out there with a diagnosis or advice? I'd appreciate any help I can get. Thanks!

~~LightForce

 

[dkozloski]

There are two separate laser diodes in your device. One for CD-R/RW and one for CD-ROM. It appears that the CD-R/RW diode has died. All that's left is the sad singin' and the slow walkin'.