my computer isn't reading the cd / dvd in it.?

Question

the cd symbol next to the pointer shows up but nothing happens. I have tried watching dvd's on CyberLink PowerDVD version 6 but when i put in a dvd it says 'No disc in Drive E:' and won't allow me to watch one. When I tried putting in a cd it won't let me listen to the music etc. it sounds like it working...like loading and stuff. but i have no idea whats wrong w/ it. PLEASE HELP SOON.

oh yeah i have only had the computer for 8 months and it is a gateway laptop.

i don't understand the first response but im willing to give it a try... can anyone explain it in fuller detail?

okay so i found the device manager there is an option to uninstall and reinstall the driver but it is advanced and i don't want to screw up the computer even more. is this what you guys are talking about?

Answer 1

gO TO THE DEVICE MANAGER and click on the CD player properties and take a good look....then reboot...I used to have that problem...that usually corrected it for awhile...

Answer 2

This can happen for several reasons.

As you have tried several DVDs and CDs you are assume it is not the CD.

Maybe the drive needs a clean. You can buy a cleaning kit to clean it. Laptop drives open up so you can see the head mechanism so it is easy to carefully clean without a cleaning kit, but for this reason they often get dirty.

Maybe there is a problem with the software drivers. Maybe you need to reinstall or upgrade these drivers.

Finally the drive may be broken which means you need to get it repaired under warranty.

Answer 3

since the drive motor sounds like it's spinning, my guess is the software drivers are fine. It sounds like your drive is toast. First, try uninstalling the cyberlink program and reinstalling gateway's DVDrom drivers. If that fails, I hope you have a maintenance plan with Gateway, 'cause you probably need a new drive.