CD/DVD drive only reads DVD's

It only reads DVD's but no CD-R's. I've tested 3 different brands and no luck. Any clue of what it might be? It is showing up on my device manager. Thanx in advance for any help.

Comp Specs:
Dell Inspiron 6000
Win XP

 

I have not burnt a cd for a few months now, so I don't think it is possible the session would still be running, or could it? I even tested a kodak software cd from my digi cam, and it didn't read it either. Any other clues? Thanx

 

bump

 

It doesn't read the CDs or it doesn't auto-open the CDs?

Doubleclick on My Computer from Desktop icon, then right click on CD icon, select properties, AutoPlay.

While there, put the Kodak CD in the drive, see if the icon name changes, try right click on icon and Open.

CD-R should be closed to run on a different computer. And it remains unclosed forever until you put it back in the CD burner and close it.

 

No, it doesn't read any type of CD, but it will read DVD's. A tech told me that I might need a new optical drive. I'm not a pro by any means, but it doesn't make sense that it reads one type of disk and not the other. The only new software I have installed is Microsoft Office 2007, but I wouldn't see why this would be a problem. The green light on the drive is continuosly on, like if it's trying to read it and never turns off until I eject it myself. I tried to delete a filter from teh registry that another forum suggested, but still no luck. Any other ideas? Could it be that the drive is gave out? Thanx

 

Look at my post #4 in this thread.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=144528

 

Thanks for the replies. I went to this post, but I am not exactly sure what I'm looking for following those instructions. I compared the images, and I noticed that mine has a different unsigned driver which is: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\PxHelp20.sis Would this be the problem? I have attached an image. Thanx

 

Unfortunately I can't read the line clearly enough but it seems to be

Psomnethinghelper.sys ?

I have certainly seen something similar prevent explorer from seeing any files on a disk.

 

OK stooopid me I just looked at the screenshot, not your text.

Yes PXhelp.sys are loaded by several different burning programs causing conflicts.

Do you have any of Sonic (Sony) / Panasonic / Nero / Itunes / Easy CD (DVD) Creator ?
Or do you use Windows own software?

If so you will have to choose , you can't have them all.

 

I have sonic, which came with my laptop. Come to think of it, I was cleaning out some programs that I didn't use, and removed iTunes. What can I do to correct the problem?

 

Looking to remove it?

There are plenty of ways, including manuallly.

If you are feeling uneasy about it, you could check the tutorials link in my sig, go to the CD/DVD article, and download a reg file that you import.
http://adrynalyne.colemanguy.com/CD.html

then its just a matter of rebooting.

It WILL break Sonic though. That, and I am not entirely convinced thats the problem. Make a system restore point, first.

 

Did you also check the filters as I noted in the third screen of my post?

Here is a crude explanation.

What happens is that when you install some programs that access the hardware they install 'filters' which intercept the data to a from the hardware for some reason to do with the program.

These filters are noted in the registry and in device manager in the section I indicated.

Unfortunately some unistalls are rather sloppy and the (re)direction in the registry remains after the uninstall. Only now the data has nowhere proper to go as it has been uninstalled.

The trick is to identify the offending filter and remove its reference in the registry - you can't do this removal from device manager.

 

Still not working. I deleted the lower filter from the registry, and it still doesn't work. I guess it's a screwed up, and have to invest in a new one? Thanks for the help.

 

The optical drive may not be defective it may just be that the lens to the CDRW lazer is just dirty and needs cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. This is not difficult to do, just pop the casing open and clean.

This has happened on a couple of my optical drives and cleaning lens has cured the issue, that is working on the basis that this is a hw issue.

Good Luck

 

Paring down the drivers to just the proper ones is good anyway.

 

I quite don't understand what you are saying, I'm not that comp. literate if you know what I mean. Thanx for your help.