I can confirm that a drive's CD laser can die but it will still work normally with DVDs. I have one drive that has lost its ability to read CDs, fortunately it's the drive in the DVD player connected to my TV, so it's no great loss.
Both lasers use the same lens, so a cleaning disc designed for DVDs will be equally effective.
Just put in a document CD that was burned on a previous computer. It acknowledged that the CD was there, and showed a list of contents, but when I tried to open a file, it came up with "Not Responding" and basically locked down the computer until I ejected the disc.
Here's an update. I put in the CD I burned to yesterday. It's a CD-RW, and the CD opened so I could see the contents. When I tried to add more content, it froze up the drive and then refused to acknowledge the disc. I put in the disc cleaner CD. It doesn't seem to notice that it's in the drive. Okay, I just put the new CD I burned yesterday back in. It opened, showed me the menu. When I tried to add the new data, it said the disc might be unusable. Funny, it was usable when I burned it yesterday, I know it's not full. I also get a not responding when I try to burn. I notice itwhirrs when it's working, but doesn't when it's not. There is also a piece that slides back and forth at the front of the tray, does it matter where that piece is when I put the CD in?
Are you talking about the plastic bezel on the front of the CD Tray? Nothing should be moving.There is also a piece that slides back and forth at the front of the tray, does it matter where that piece is when I put the CD in?
Are you trying to add files to a CD-R? CD-R discs are burn once media, unless you chose to make a Multiple Session CD. Normally when you burn to a CD-R, the software Finalizes the disc after the burn so you can't add any more files. CD-RW discs allow you to add files on more then one session, but the disc will not read on any other computer until you Finalize the disc. If you want to add files to external media, get a USB Flash Drive.
Spunk, the CD I burned earlier was a CD-RW, clearly marked on it. I was able to finish burning it today. The drive seems to work, but not all the time. I bought a new external drive and will try that out tomorrow to see what happens. Bought a new keyboard as well, but it hasn't improved my typing.
Tried to install the new CD drive I bought. It was supposed to be an external drive, but it's actually an internal drive I have no skill to install. So, back to the store I go to see if they can get it right this time.
Okay, the new external drive is installed and seems to be working. That's for all the help. We can mark this case as closed.
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