CDRom drive advice sought

[titch juicy]

I hope i'm posting in the right place. If not please feel free to move this thread mods.

The CD drive on my laptop has packed up for all except data discs. It won't read CDs or DVDs

I have tried running tests through the Boot System Test start up thing- and it's telling me all systems are good (I did a full system test and specific cd drive test). I have also tried updating the driver software through the device manager, but apparently the software/drivers I have is/are the most relevant available.

I could do without the expense of a new laptop right now as we have just moved and spent a lot on furniture etc.

I have done some basic research into external USB drives, but it seems the only ones good for ripping music cost a fortune (?150-?200). I want a drive to be able to rip cds as I still buy a lot of music and like to put in on my mp3 player. I note I can get an external drive for as little as ?12, which would be fine for listening to music and watching dvds, but my priority is to rip music to my mp3 player.

So, does anyone know if the research i've done is accurate, and if so, if there are any other options?

The laptop is out of warranty unfortunately.

All advice is very gratefully received :-)

[ianr]

> The CD drive on my laptop has packed up for all except data discs. It won't read CDs or DVDs

Better clarify this. Are your data disks not CDs or DVDs? What does Windows Explorer (assuming you're running Windows) tell you of the drive contents if you insert a music CD or video DVD?

[titch juicy]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Sorry, i'm not the most technically minded.

When I carried out the test, it asked me to use a data disc (like an installation disc or similar) rather than a music disc. I used a kaspersky anti-virus disc and it passed the test.

However; outside of that test environment when I put the discs (music cd's or dvds- originals) in, it makes a noise like it's trying to read them- but then just stops, and nothing shows up at all in explorer. I've tried several different discs including new ones and been patient, letting it try for a few minutes.

Thanks again,

[ianr]

That sounds clear. It's a new problem to me, that I don't understand, but you can find others reporting similar partial inabilities to read from optical drives. Some of them report lens cleaning has helped, some not. Internal optical drives are in any case easy to replace, should it turn out to be a hardware problem.

I don't understand your point about ripping to mp3 from external optical drives. Where is the stuff saying you need a very expensive one? If I want to make an mp3 copy of an audio CD I use separate free software -- a Digital Audio Extractor, and WinLame for the conversion -- rather than whatever comes with the operating system. I do that from an internal optical drive, but don't know of any reason why an external drive would be treated any differently. And I suspect that any ripping software built into the operating system would similarly not be bothered about whether a drive was internal or external. Someone who owns an external opptical drive can, I hope, clarify that point.

[Lowlander]

Just buy an external USB one for between ?10 and ?20 like this http://www.businessdirect.bt.com/products/samsung-usb-2-0-slim-external-dvd-writer-black-8F6V.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc%20product%20search&utm_content=QE00&origin=pla

Why on earth would you pay (indeed can you pay) ?120?

[titch juicy]

Ah ok, so it's the software that dictates what you can do with the drive, rather than the hardware itself. In which case I shall just buy an external drive.

Many thanks for your help.

actually, just one more question- as I use an ipod, i assume the itunes software wouldn't be fussy about what drive was being used either? I really do apologise for the stupidity of these questions.

[DulwichFox]

iTunes certainly can cause this problem.. As can Roxio creator.

Do you have these instaled.

I had the same problem. When I inserted an Audio CD a strange window popped up with no title.

It would then randomly play tunes from iTunes.

Having Googled your prob. was resolved fot one guy by un-installing iTunes.

May have nothing to do with your prob.

Do not play CD's regularly but tried again after reading your thread.

All seems ok at the mo.

Fox.

[Lowlander]

Having re-read this it seems your drive is fine if it's reading data discs, and the problem seems to be a software one...as Fox suggests, try uninstalling iTunes and any other CD related software you use, then reinstalling?

[right-clicking]

Two or three things that I would do is first is either obtain the manual and find out what drive you have fitted. or run this handy little tool to fetch up the internal spec's http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Then go to the makers website support section and look for the latest driver.

Windows automatic update driver tool is not great at finding drivers, try uninstalling the driver, reboot and let the new hardware wizard install the new driver.

I guess you have run the built in troubleshooting tool? Have you made sure autoplay is set?

Both of the above can be found via the control panel, There is a command prompt available to further diagnose the issue (diskpart) but this would require a degree of confidence or a decent tutorial

Good Luck Right-Clicking

[Huguenot]

Sounds like a software not a hardware problem.

Before you buy an external drive, borrow one. If it's a software problem it won't go away.