hey... my dad's laptop have the same problem... its HP dv2000 version (im not sure which exact model), and the same matshita dvd drive (again, im not sure which exact model...).
it has the same problem. can only play DVD but not CD (once in a while only). But burning, i havent tried it for the past few months but my previous burning onto DVD and CD, its not working too =s cannot burn on DVD or CD.
i did post this problem at this forum before but there are no solution until today. Thats y im considering getting a new laptop now (see my post
HERE).