Philips CDRW unable to read CDs

My Philips CDRW IDE 12x8x32 version 4 is unable to read audio CDs or VCDs. It's detected on boot up and device manager shows its working properly, it shows up in explorer but shows empty media even though loaded with a CD. When no CDs are loaded and accessed via explorer, the usual "Please insert a disk into drive E" (my CDRW drive is E) does not pop up. Tried cleaning with lens cleaner, uninstalled it and re-installed it, still unable to read CDs. I"m using Nero Express 5.5 . Help much appreciated.

 

So it won't read audio or VCDs, what about standard data CDs (ie: ones with programs on them)?

 

Thanks, Valhallis for reply, no,it does not read program CDs too. The drive light by the way is always showing red (or amber) but never green which I think it should, cos I have a DVD drive (drive G which works and is configured as secondary slave. The CR-RW drive is secondary master. My C: drive is primary master (40gb) partitioned into C: and D: and I have a small F: drive as primary slave.

 

Sounds like the drive may be done for. The laser inside can wear out or it may not be spinning up.

From a software standpoint, you can try a system restore to a point where it was working. Removing Nero or other burning software can help too. Sometimes removing the upper and lower filters can fix CD drive problems as well. I'll try and find a link.

 

Was it the 36XX series?
They were renowned for spontaneous self conversion to scrap metal, which sinks.
Congratulations on keeping yours afloat so long.

Studio T