CD-RW and DVD Rom Not reading CDRs

[claymca]

I have a Yamaha CRW3200E CDRW and a generic DVD-Rom and the sony DVD RW DRU-500A. The problem is just recently the yamaha and DVD-Rom will not read any CD-Rs but the DVD-Rom will read DVD-R and store bought DVDs. The sony drive still reads everything with no problem. In the device manager everything is fine. No problems.

What is the problem?

 

[etarhan]

Assuming that is allright software-wise, there are two most likely causes for this behavior:
a) Dirty read head
b) Dried-up (or dirty) slider

Both cases require opening up the units. The read head can be cleaned using a cotton tipped thing soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Almost any alcohol based liquid can be substituted, as long asit does not leave its own residue. Even gin or vodka can be used, don't be misguided by the hi-tech arguments flying around. This is a delicate job, as the read head is a fragile mechanism. Do not exert any undue pressure. Use a dry cotton tip to remove any traces of alcohol itself, immediately after cleaning.

Sometimes the lubrication on the slider on which the head moves can dry up. You can use silicon grease sparingly. normal ladies' beauty cream can be used if you don't have grease. Use as plain a cream as possible (no fancy formulas). You can also use liquid vaseline.

Good luck,
Engin

 

[claymca]

Would that work for the DVD Rom as well since it is reading DVDs and not CDRs?

 

[cdogg]

Will the yamaha or DVD-ROM read "store-bought" CD's? Have you tried both data and music CD's?


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein

 

[claymca]

Nope the yamaha or DVD-ROM won't read store-bought cd's rather they be data or music.

 

[cdogg]

Then it is totally a software issue in Windows. I seriously doubt that it's a hardware problem, because it would of had to affect two drives at the same time. Plus, the DVD-ROM can still read DVD's.

I would attempt to uninstall/reinstall Windows Media Player from Microsoft's website (7.1 if you have Windows 95/98/ME, or 9.0 if you're using Windows 2000/XP). If that doesn't do it, then shutdown and try disconnecting all DVD/CD drives except the Yamaha burner. Reboot and try it again.

If it still doesn't work, then we'll need more info from you describing what is actually happening when you say "it won't read them". For example, does it give you any error messages? Do you insert a CD and wait for something to pop-up autmatically, or are you opening Windows Explorer to explore the CD in the drive?


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein

 

[claymca]

Ok I have reinstalled WMP 9 still nothing. i haven't tried disconnecting the drives yet, but just for more info the when a cd is inserted there is noe error message, no pop-up window, and when trying to explore the cd it says please insert disc in to drive"x".

But if there is no other suggestions then I will try disconnecting the drives.

 

[cdogg]

If it does come down to disconnecting them, make sure that you check Device Manager after you boot back up. If you see anything still listed for the drives, remove it. The next time you reconnect them, their entries will reappear. Just be sure to test either the Yamaha or DVD-ROM by themselves before re-adding the drives.

By the way, how do you have your IDE configuration set up, meaning what devices are on each cable - both primary and secondary IDE channels?