Member Avatar for ricardoftjunior

Hello everybody,
I have a laptop Compaq Armada M700 with a DVD/CD drive. I don't know what I did wrong but my DVD drive does not read any CDs anymore. I tried Audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW but they are not recognized. It does read any DVD, though.
Can somebody help me?
Regards,
Ricardo Junior

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by c-tech

Dani AI

Generated

Short, practical checklist — before replacing the drive

As and suggested, a failing drive is a common cause, but it’s worth doing a few quick checks to be sure. Start by confirming whether the problem is hardware or software: verify the same CDs on another computer, see whether the drive is listed by the firmware (BIOS/Computer Setup), and check the OS device entry and error codes in Device Manager. Microsoft documents a stepwise approach (driver reinstall, troubleshooter, and the UpperFilters/LowerFilters registry fix) that fits this situation. (support.microsoft.com)

Quick, ordered steps to try now

  • Test media on a different player to rule out damaged discs.
  • Reboot and check BIOS/Computer Setup for the optical drive (if BIOS doesn’t see it, it’s almost certainly hardware).
  • In Windows, open Device Manager → DVD/CD-ROM drives: uninstall the device, reboot (Windows will re-detect). If you see Code 19/31/32/39 errors, follow the Microsoft registry cleanup instructions (back up the registry first).
  • Try a drive-cleaning disc; if no cleaning disc is available and you’re comfortable with light disassembly, a careful manual lens clean with high‑proof isopropyl and a cotton swab can help.
  • If the drive intermittently “spins” but won’t read CDs, try gently nudging the laser sled (some drives seize) or reseating the internal ribbon connector if you can access it safely. (support.microsoft.com)

Why a drive can read DVDs but not CDs

CD and DVD read paths are physically different (different laser wavelengths and optics), so it’s entirely possible for the CD read path to fail while the DVD path still works — that explains the selective behavior you’re seeing. If cleaning and OS-level fixes don’t help, replacement or an inexpensive external USB optical drive is the practical next step; many laptop optical drives are modular and straightforward to swap using published guides. (en.wikipedia.org)

Tie-back to earlier replies

As suggested, start with the basic My Computer / Device Manager checks; if those point to hardware after the troubleshooting above, replacing the slimline drive or using an external USB drive will be the quickest reliable fix.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

Hello everybody,
I have a laptop Compaq Armada M700 with a DVD/CD drive. I don't know what I did wrong but my DVD drive does not read any CDs anymore. I tried Audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW but they are not recognized. It does read any DVD, though.
Can somebody help me?
Regards,
Ricardo Junior

when you put a audio cd in ,and go to myComputer and click on the icon for the dvd drive does anything happen

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

I just ran across this problem a few weeks ago, It could be a bad drive.

Drives handle CDs and DVDs a little differently; it is possible, although not common, that the drive will stop reading one or the other.

In the case I worked with the drive would occasionally "catch" a CD but usually just spun up and said there was nothing in the drive but if you entered a DVD it read it fine.

If it is a failed drive you'll need to replace it or get an external disk drive.

Member Avatar for ricardoftjunior

when you put a audio cd in ,and go to myComputer and click on the icon for the dvd drive does anything happen

It does not recognize the media. It happens to any kind of CD (audio, CD-R, CD-RW).

Member Avatar for caperjack

It does not recognize the media. It happens to any kind of CD (audio, CD-R, CD-RW).

post # 3 is most like correct in saying its a bad drive

Member Avatar for c-tech

sorry to say this man. but it seems that you'll need to buy another drive. mine began behaving the same way and in the end it stopped accessing DVDs altogether. i guess that's how you know that the drive is dying.

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