Computer CD/DVD drive not reading disks properly???

[~Axis~]

Starting a few days ago, the CD/DVD drive on my laptop doesnt read disks as normal. I pop in a disk and close it and I wait until the loading icon on the mouse stops and when I double click the drive, it tells me it has no disk. If I make my pc sleep and then turn it on again, the CD loads properly as if nothing happened. I have to do this evertime I want to load a disk. I searched the the internet and tried everything I could and even tried a system restore but to no avail. Seriously. WTF is happening??? I didnt install any software for quite sometime. I remember the last time it worked properly is when I inserted a DVD movie and after watching it, shut it down. The next time I turned the pc on, as loading screen for windows was on, I took the disk out. Please help.

[Maxpphire]

It might just be a loose connection, I doubt it is anything software related. Either that or it is getting worn down and you'll need a new one.

[Kosheh]

...if it works sometimes, and definitely when you computer does a thing, it might not be a bad idea to reformat your system, as it might just be registry issues within Windows. Remember to back up all your things before doing so - including your browser bookmarks!




but in the long-term, laptop disc drives aren't that dependable, you know :/ because once they go, you feel like the end is truly near.
How long have you had the laptop for?

There's ALSO the option of popping open the laptop and replacing the DVD drive yourself - but that's kind of a huge jump and that's one that's entirely up to you. The bright side is that it might be cheaper to do so, but requires a little more technical know-how (and the confidence to pop the thing open)

If you're not tech-confident (it's fine - your laptop's a big investment and a lot of people have cold feet about doing surgery on their own baby) and it's been like 5 years then yeah it's probably kicked the bucket - luckily though, there's external disc drives if you want to Keep The Magic Alive (and they're like $30 or so - though really, if it's been that long you might as well want to just consider investing in a new laptop as the minimum specs would have doubled since you initially purchased the machine)

[~Axis~]

Thanks guys. I just tried this trick and it seems to make the drive work somewhat better. I noticed that the thingy that holds the lens was way too close to the center than usual, so I moved the thingy all the way in the opposite direction, shut down the pc, popped in a cd, closed the tray, turned pc on. Now it seems to read disks without me having to make it go to sleep and waking it up again. Ah well... wait a minute... WHY ARE WE STILL USING DISKS IN AN AGE WHERE ALMOST EVERYTHING IS DOWNLOADABLE????


Anyway. Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

[Petie]

I noticed that the thingy that holds the lens was way too close to the center than usual, so I moved the thingy all the way in the opposite direction

I'm glad this seems to have worked for you but just for future reference, you should avoid touching the laser at all and especially with bare hands. The oil on your fingers can ruin the lens and make the drive completely inoperable. If you must touch the laser, do so with a soft lint-free cloth to avoid damaging it.

[~Axis~]

Roger! I knew that but decided to take the risk cause I got fed up.
damnthiscomputeranditsworthlesscddriveshinnanigans

[Kosheh]

wait a minute... WHY ARE WE STILL USING DISKS IN AN AGE WHERE ALMOST EVERYTHING IS DOWNLOADABLE????

well, yeah this was just going to be my next post

(but it's good to see that everything's worked out)