I can't figure this one out ... my puter is a 3-4 years old Sony Vaio, Windows XP. Works like a charm, except the CD/DVD. When I put a CD or DVD (with stuff on it), it will spin, I can open E: (CD drive) no problem, but it will show no file. Properties on the disc will show 0 bytes used and 0 bytes free space. Any clue as to what could cause this? Is my CD/DVD shot? Do I just need to clean the lens? I'm really stumped.
No, apparently not, I doubt it and so am I, respectively.... Seriously, the fact that it "sees" the "E" drive suggests that (a) it's still "working" and (b) cleaning the lens won't change that. What happens if you load a blank (burnable) CD - Does that mount up OK? Can you then copy and burn some files to it? If yes, can you then eject it, reload and read said files? If yes, can this CD be read on another 'puter? Finally, can it read/play a good old fashioned music CD? Cheers, let us know, Ian
Are you sure? It will still know that the drive is there without being able to read it. If you've tried multiple CDs and DVDs and none of them work it's obviously a problem with the drive (I assume you already knew that). I would hazard a guess that it no longer works, and that cleaning will do no good. You'll just have to get a new drive. Is it a desktop or laptop? Putting in a new drive on a desktop is a piece of cake, and if it's 3-4 years old chances are your old one's obsolete and you'd want to get a new one anyway. You can find a good Memorex or Sony drive for about $50
Webby, it's a laptop. And you are correct, if the drive has whatever hardware malfunction, I'll just get a new puter. Ian, I just put in a blank CD. It says 702Mb free, again I can open E:, and it has no files (which is perfectly normal thus far). I was able to burn files on the CD using Windows (ya know, just the right-click/Send to CD). I can see the files on the CD! Trying another CD ... ok, I can read CDs. I guess it's been a while since I tried reading a CD ... yikes. Back to "basics". Putting a DVD in ... and no files. So apparently it is related to DVDs only.
I *think* I'm correct, but this is all coming from memory as I'm now, as most know, a Mac guy.... IIRC, if you click on the CD/DVD drive when it's "empty" you get an "inaccessible" message - Only if it sees something (albeit with "0 byttes used, 0 available") will it give you "access". Returning to the OP - Is it a DVD burner as well? Or a "CD burner / DVD reader?" Cheers, Ian
