Win7 Fails To Detect Blank Cd

I don't know if this is a software (Win7) or hardware (Disk Reader/Writer). If it's hardware please move.
Until today whenever I put a CD or DVD in the Disk Reader/Writer the unit would scan? the disk and put a message up indicating the content (Video, data, blank, etc.)
My PC#1 continues to do that but my PC#2 cannot seem to detect a blank CD. It states "No disk". It can detect a burned CD.
My PCs (Lenovo) come with a version of Roxio built in. In order to burn a CD Roxio has to detect a blank CD. It no longer does that on PC#2. A DVD (blank or otherwise) is no problem. I don't think it's a Roxio problem.
It's not the CD. I tested it in PC#1, no problem. I tried a different blank CD in PC#2, same problem.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

Does PC #2 recognize any data/audio discs, CD or DVD? Do you hear the drive spin up when you insert a disc? It could be that the drive in PC #2 has failed. When you reboot a Lenovo, you should be able to press <Enter>, bring up the start up menu, and select "Run diagnostics". Do that and tell it to check the optical drive.

 

As I mentioned PC#2 recognizes ALL disks except Blank CD.
I'm 82, I don't hear any drive spin up, I just look for the flashing lights indicating it's reading. It reads everything.
I have no doubt that the drive is working. It burns, plays, everything except does not seem to detect a blank CD.
That's why I put this thread in software.

 

Have you tried disconnecting/reconnecting the data cable for the drive? Maybe you could have someone do this for you. Otherwise sounds like the laser pickup may be malfunctioning somehow. Seems I recall a system for cleaning these things many years ago. Just for laughs:



A couple of people said it actually worked...brave souls

 

Try a different brand of blanks? Check the CD-ROM manufactures website for a firmware update. The firmware has a table of media to recognize so the update might help.

 

It appears to be a hardware problem. I installed a new disk (one of two) I bought years ago as backups, when the installed drive in the older PC#3 stopped burning disks.
It's now working - strange that it was only a problem with blank CDs.
Blank DVD+Rs, CDs and DVD+Rs with content would play.
The "cleaning" video scared me into just replacing the drive.

This thread should be moved to the Hardware section.