Dvd drive cannot read cds and vcds but can read dvds only

First of all, are you trying to read Blu-Ray DVDs? Unless your drive is made for them, it won't be able to. The same may be true if you're trying to read a dual-layer DVD. Not all DVD drives can handle them.

CDs and DVDs need different kinds of laser light to be read, and a combo drive like yours is essentially two drives in one. Sometimes a problem develops in the pickup and it can read one kind of disc and not the other. My experience is that it's usually the DVD function that fails more often. The data on a DVD is much more densely packed and harder to read.

Try making sure the discs you're trying to read are clean. If the problem is affecting all the DVDs you try, replace the drive. New drives for a desktop computer only cost around $20 to $30 and they are easy to change. In a laptop, the drive will be more expensive and maybe hard to find; in that case you may want to consider a USB external burner as a replacement. This is also an option for desktops as well.

It looks like your machine already has a DVD drive. So all you would need is some software that will play DVD. Download and install VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/). VLC is a great multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs and VCDs.

For the sake of about $35 or less you can buy a brand new drive which will also support a pile of other disc typed including DVD9. Im not sure what youre like on the insides of computers but its only the sake of 2 plugs which can only go 1 way and a few screws and you're better than new. I know what i'd and cheers from Scott and plz dont forget to vote

That is the spindle motor that is weak. Try replacing the motor. Cd,mp3 vcd requires low speeds while dvd are high speeds.

It is a DVD ROM drive which stands for DVD Read Only Memory. In other words, this drive is meant to only PLAY DVDs and CDs but NOT save data to them.

To burn CDs you need a CD burner. Burners are of 3 types:

CD writer only burns and reads CDs.

Combo drive reads CDs and DVDs but only burns CDs.

Super drive burns and reads from CDs and DVDs.

As you go higher in functionality, the price also increases. Check your needs before you plan to buy one. Also compare prices of all the drives. Note: burn-able media costs are separate.

DVD drive reads DVDs but not CDs

no picture on the screen

Try opening up the unit and cleaning the lens using a cotton swab and alcohol. Cds and VCDs don't require as much laser power to be read correctly. Usually when you can read CDs but not DVDs, the optics are starting to fail.
Dan

Hi Taranum,

Are you able to view CDs/DVDs that are already burned?

Ben

replace spindle motor,so i think ur problem vill b solved.. no need 2 change th lense..