Laptop can read DVDs but not CDs or VCDs
I have an IBM R51 laptop, just recently it can not read CDs, VCDs, even cleaner disc. When I go to my-computer, it does not show anything even when the disc is inside the drive, but it can easily read DVDs. When ever I put the CD/VCD in the drive, the light in the drive blink after sometimes it stop, unlike for DVD where it works normally. Will you please help me?
Sounds like you have a failing optical drive. Apparently, the CD reading module is not working properly but the DVD reading module still working fine. I’ve seen it happening before.
There is not much you can do to fix the drive. You’ll have to replace the whole optical drive.
April 21st, 2010 at 4:08 am
i have same problem. can we fix it? thanks.
April 21st, 2010 at 8:36 am
Veronica,
If the drive can read CDs but not DVDs or vice versa, this is a bad drive. You’ll have to replace the CD/DVD drive or you can purchase a use an external USB CD/DVD drive.
April 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I have also seen this issue also it is probably part number UJ-810 they have this issue all the time. i would suggest if it is the UJ-810 (part number is listed on the cd rom) replace it with the UJ-820 the bezel will fit and they are a lot better drive.
June 20th, 2010 at 11:41 am
I have a Vaio CR 220E, i need to replace & buy dvd/cd drive, where can I buy one or can i use a generic one & how do I go about replacing it.. is it too hard, do i need special tools for it.. pls assist
July 16th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I got lucky with this easy fix. My Matshita UJ-32D would read CD but not DVD. A site (sorry I lost the URL) noted that CDs read from center outward and DVD from outer rim inward so any obstruction of the lens’ movement (perhaps due to the ribbon cable) may prevent reading of one or the other. I slid the lens transport back and forth a few times to check for free movement, left it at the outside limit and tried a DVD. It worked!
October 12th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I was having the same problem with my toshiba satellite.
THANKS MARK! I did what you did and it actually worked. I thought I was going to have to buy another drive.
February 6th, 2011 at 9:38 am
my dell c640 lattitude laptop not supporting external dvd writer
March 13th, 2011 at 8:47 am
My HP notebook laptop reads dvds and not cds.!how can i fix dis shit.!or is there any other way rather than replacing my whole optical disk.!??
AT first it was working with windows xp and then i installed windows vista ultimate.!and dis is how dis shit happen to stop working.!thanks to vista
April 10th, 2011 at 6:17 am
In my HCL laptop the drive easily reads cds and vcds but not dvds. Previously it was not happening. Actually my laptop is an year old and this problem is occurring since last one month. Is there any way with which i can fix it my self. Please reply me via e-mail.
April 14th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
TO ANKIT-
iam havin the same problem,did you ever found a way to fix it?i did an update bullshit that hp recommened and all of sudden my blank cd”s that had already been burned dont work anymore,,(it wont even show that i puted a cd/dvd in the drive anymore like it use to)dvd will work but not the damm cds..this shit is getin on my nerves….i also got a hp notebook…
any help anyone?i even tryed to reboot it and nothing worked…i even tryed a restore point and it keeps on sayin error,,i even turned off my anti virus and still nothin…helppp..
October 16th, 2011 at 1:07 am
Hi,
My laptop seems to be spinning audio cds in such a slow rate (.9x max in itunes import) but when i tried other CDs, they seem to work fine! and ironically enough i dont have a cd player @.@
December 4th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
I bought a Toshiba satellite c660-24c, but there was no CD in the box. Is this correct? Because with previous laptop I always had a recovery cd to reinstall windows in case of any problems
December 5th, 2011 at 7:44 am
@ RDK87,
Some newer Toshiba laptops do not have recovery CDs. Most likely there is a recovery partition on the hard drive. In order to start Toshiba laptop from the recovery partition you can try the following:
1. Hold down the “0″ (zero) key.
2. At the same time turn on the laptop.
3. When Toshiba logo appears on the screen release the “0″ key.
The laptop should boot from the recovery partition.
Also, there should be a utility which allows to create the recovery disc. Search for this utility on your laptop.