Lite-on dvd combo slow reading or not reading cd's

I have an issue with my Lite-On DVD Combo drive model GCC 4120B for sometime now. It has a very difficult time reading certain types of cd's, mainly original game cd's or dvd's. It doesn't have really any issues reading burned cd data whether music, video or whatever. The computer harddrive was completely reformatted and new OS put on (XP Pro) and still have issues. Even bought a new cd-rom but still has the same issues. If I put in a game cd or original dvd it takes forever (up to 3-5 minutes) and sometimes not at all before I can see what files on it or run an install or play the dvd. I am guessing it is more to do with the motherboard, cables or maybe a crappy harddrive. Please forgive the long thread, but at my whit's end with this. I am just an old retired Marine Gunny living abroad in Ethiopia (don't ask why) and getting a decent pc here is ridiculous as the tax is overwhelming. I bought this old refurbished Dell Optiplex GX280, Windows XP pro, 80gb Western Digital Sata hardrive, 2gb of ram and this cdrw/dvd combo for the price of probably 2 new ones in the states. Anyway all and any advice would be greatly appreciated from you highly knoweledgeable guru's out there. Also I have taken the cd's to other computers and they access quickly with no issues.:confused

 

Have a look on other thread, please refrain from double posting, it will decrease response time, infact it may annoy members and stop them from replying, however i think this one was an accident?

 

Thanks, sorry for the double posting, completely an accident.

 

It's ok mate!

 

I looked at the registry and it didn't have any upper or lower filters. Probably because I had the hardrive formatted and reinstalled the OS. Really haven't done alot with this machine since then. Also as another note sometimes the drive makes noises and freezes my windows desktop and sometimes it disappears, but when I eject the cd all comes back. Get alot of not responding when trying to access the cd drive. Again all sorry for the double posting.

 

Sounds like its dying to me, but just read or re read the other post for help.

 

Must be the mobo dying as if you put in a new drive it does the same thing. Could the cables have any bearing? Guess I'll just buy another board and try that. They only cost about 120 bucks. Appreciate your time.

 

I VERY much doubt the cables are faulty, as your device works for data CD's but not for others, and they shouldnt put any extra stress on the cables.

Throwing money at the problem doesn't always solve them.

I would do as Ned was adviced on the other thread, and then maybe consider a new MB.