cd-rom doesn't recognize game CDs

dayofdefeat909 · 07-13-2006, 10:55 PM

i have a dell inspiron 8600 with a removable cd-rom drive. the cd-rom's been working fine since i got it, same with the computer, but now it won't recognize game cd's. it will recognize dvd's though. i've have tried taking it out, rebooting, putting it back in, in many combinations, and it still won't work. anyone have any ideas?

**Ralck** · 07-13-2006, 11:12 PM

Is this only data CD's like games that it does not recognize, or will it not recognize audio CD's either?

Check Device Manager for any yellow alerts ( Windows Key + Pause -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager) and click View -> Show Hidden Devices.

dayofdefeat909 · 07-14-2006, 04:00 PM

it won't recognize anything but a DVD

**Ralck** · 07-14-2006, 04:06 PM

Was there anything in Device Manager?
Also, make sure you have at least SP1 (SP2 recomended) and all other Windows Updates.

dayofdefeat909 · 07-14-2006, 04:13 PM

the device manager was fine, no excalamtion points. i have sp1 and have been debating whether or not upgrade to sp2 for a while (should i or shouldn't i?) it also will not recognize blank cds, as i tried burning a cd and it kept prompting me to insert a blank CD. this happened like 6 days ago but it didn't last long and i fixed it by just taking out and putting it back in a few times. it's so wierd how i can watch DVDs with it but i can't launch any games that need the CD to play them.

dayofdefeat909 · 07-14-2006, 04:17 PM

i forgot to mention this as well; if i listen to the cd-rom trying to spin up, it starts to spin up but then it makes this light, kind of grumbling, clicking sound like the cd is getting stuck. it does this only when something other than DVD is in the drive.

**Ralck** · 07-14-2006, 04:26 PM

I did have a friend who had her removable CD drive die on her. It could be that there is a problem with it and it is not able to read CD's.
You could try a CD cleaning kit, but I doubt it's a problem with dirt on the optic.

Have you contacted Dell to see if this is a known issue?

07-13-2006, 10:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
dayofdefeat909 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 11 OS: XP	cd-rom doesn't recognize game CDs i have a dell inspiron 8600 with a removable cd-rom drive. the cd-rom's been working fine since i got it, same with the computer, but now it won't recognize game cd's. it will recognize dvd's though. i've have tried taking it out, rebooting, putting it back in, in many combinations, and it still won't work. anyone have any ideas?

07-13-2006, 11:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Is this only data CD's like games that it does not recognize, or will it not recognize audio CD's either? Check Device Manager for any yellow alerts ( Windows Key + Pause -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager) and click View -> Show Hidden Devices. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-14-2006, 04:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Was there anything in Device Manager? Also, make sure you have at least SP1 (SP2 recomended) and all other Windows Updates. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-14-2006, 04:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	I did have a friend who had her removable CD drive die on her. It could be that there is a problem with it and it is not able to read CD's. You could try a CD cleaning kit, but I doubt it's a problem with dirt on the optic. Have you contacted Dell to see if this is a known issue? __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-14-2006, 04:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
dayofdefeat909 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 11 OS: XP	it won't recognize anything but a DVD

07-14-2006, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
dayofdefeat909 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 11 OS: XP	the device manager was fine, no excalamtion points. i have sp1 and have been debating whether or not upgrade to sp2 for a while (should i or shouldn't i?) it also will not recognize blank cds, as i tried burning a cd and it kept prompting me to insert a blank CD. this happened like 6 days ago but it didn't last long and i fixed it by just taking out and putting it back in a few times. it's so wierd how i can watch DVDs with it but i can't launch any games that need the CD to play them.

07-14-2006, 04:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
dayofdefeat909 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 11 OS: XP	i forgot to mention this as well; if i listen to the cd-rom trying to spin up, it starts to spin up but then it makes this light, kind of grumbling, clicking sound like the cd is getting stuck. it does this only when something other than DVD is in the drive.