Member Avatar for zizo29

Hello,
I have a problem, the CD drive in my laptop does not read any CDs any more, although it reads DVDs normally!
What can I do to solve this?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by half_ozi

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Quick expert note: the symptom “DVDs work but CDs don’t” usually points at the optical pickup (not the discs). CD and DVD are read by different laser wavelengths (CD ≈ 780 nm, DVD ≈ 650 nm) and many pickup units contain separate emitters, so the CD laser can fail while the DVD laser still reads discs. Service documentation shows this arrangement and that the pickup/engine is often replaced as a unit. (manualmachine.com)

Steps to isolate software vs hardware without repeating earlier BIOS/boot advice: test the drive on another computer or try a cheap external USB CD drive on the laptop — that quickly tells you whether the internal unit is bad. Check the OS next: look in Device Manager for error codes and try uninstalling the optical device so Windows redetects it. If the drive disappears or Device Manager shows Code 19/31/32/39, Microsoft documents a guarded registry/driver workflow (back up the registry first) that has fixed many “drive present but won’t read” cases. Manufacturer pages also outline hardware self-tests to run before replacing parts. (support.microsoft.com)

If the problem looks hardware-related try non-invasive fixes first: run a quality lens‑cleaning disc or use short bursts of canned air to remove dust (avoid poking at the lens unless you know what you’re doing). If cleaning and driver/registry workarounds fail, the optical pickup or engine is usually replaced rather than repaired, so replacing the drive (or using an external USB drive) is the practical fix for laptops. (howtocleanthings.com)

Summary tailored to the thread: ’s idea to test bootable media and ’s drive-swap observation are useful for narrowing the cause. Recommended order: (1) try an external drive or test the unit on another PC, (2) check Device Manager and try the documented Windows driver/registry fixes (backup first), (3) try a lens-cleaning disc, (4) replace the drive or use an external unit or professional service if hardware failure is confirmed.

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Member Avatar for mohan007

Hi

If you have a bootable CD's such as dos or win XP, Put the cd in the drive. Go to the Bios settings of your laptop by pressing the appropriate key. Change the first boot device to you respective CD Drive. Save and restart the laptop. If the CD Boots then your Laptop Optical Drive is OK. You need to reinstall the operating system("better format and reinstall"). If the CD does not boots then there is a problem with your Optical Drive and you need to give to the appropriate vendor for servicing.

Member Avatar for zizo29

Thank you :)

Member Avatar for half_ozi

[Hello zizo 29

I have same problem, DVD Pioneer 111 in desktop is sick. Had replaced with one from other PC but same problem. PC has dual bootable OS (XP and Vista) but it has same problem DVD is OK but CD does not read at all. And it does not boot as well. Same DVD in different PC works fine.

Maybe Sony root virus?

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