My computer won't play CD's, DVD's, etc anymore

[baygrl518]

I have a windows vista and just recently my computer has stopped being able to play any kind of cd that is inserted into the drive. It does not even show up when I click "My Computer." It does not load at all and does not show up on any application. What's wrong with my computer?!

 

[Laeion]

Have you tried using the Resource CD provided by your manufacturer to install a driver that allows you to run CDs?

 

[Tedster]

If the drive is not being recognized in the control panel, then you either have a problem with

a) cabling/connection
b) driver
c) the drive itself

 

[baygrl518]

RE

Unfortunately, my laptop was never provided with a resource CD, just checked. Does anyone know what could possibly be the cause of it? Any guesses or suggestions?

 

[king21092]

If your using a laptop and if your not very knowledgeable about computer then I would suggest bringing it to an expert to open it up and check the cabling and the drive itself.
Before you do that however check to make sure your drivers are up to date.
Try finding out what type of drive it is, manufacturer and model, then go to that manufacturers website and see if you cant find any drivers.

One last question, when was the last time you did a driver and/or computer update.

 

[SNGX1275]

Does your drive show up in My Computer? Does it show up in Device Manager? These are critically important questions before more advice can be given. As of right now all we have to go on are assumptions on what is wrong.

 

[baygrl518]

My computer is up-to-date and disks don't show up on My Computer or otherwise..

 

[SNGX1275]

Do you have any bootable cds? such as a real Windows OS install cd or a linux cd, or even a memtest cd?

What I'm getting at is: If the computer will boot off a cd, then you know the drive isn't dead, so therefore its a software issue, and sometimes this can be resolved by deleting the drive in device manager and rebooting. If the computer won't boot off the cd either your BIOS isn't set to look to boot off a cd (which is changeable) or the drive is dead.