My Combo Drive won't recognize CDs anymore...

[behemothzero]

Actually, this problem has been here for more than a year now - I just remembered it now.

So back then, my Combo Drive, a Samsung SM-348B, suddenly wouldn't accept CDs anymore. Can't read, can't write nothing. The DVD functionality was still working, but I would like to know the possible reasons why CDs won't work anymore.

Thanks.

[ErnieK]

Dirty lens - Try using a recomended lens cleaner to see if it helps

[behemothzero]

Already tried that before. Still only read DVDs.

[Whyzman]

You might want to consider a firmware update:

http://www.samsung.com/support/productsupport/download/FileView.aspx?cttfileid=231178&type=CD-RW+%2f+COMBO&typecode=14&subtype=CD-RW+(Half-Height)&subtypecode=&cmssubtypecode=1401&model=SM-348B&filetype=FM&language=

Please not the readme file with instructions on how to firmware update. A mistake in following the directions exactly could result in your drive being disabled permanently...

[Sylvander]

You Cannot View the Files on a Disc After You Replace a CD-R or CD-RW Drive with a DVD or CD-ROM Drive (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311455/en-us)

How to Troubleshoot Issues with Reading CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD Discs (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321641/en-us)

[behemothzero]

@ Whyzman: Already tried that before. Still didn't work.

@ Sylvander: Didn't work as well >.>

On the other hand, I got a new DVD Writer two days ago, so now I can do CD-to-CD and DVD-to-DVD burning... thanks for all the help, guys.

[Sylvander]

Aaaah......, so it was a hardware problem.

Good to hear things are back up and running. :D

[Whyzman]

Yep, thanks for letting us know the outcome! Happy DVDing

[Taku]

Hi, I'm new to the forums, I stumbled upon this trying to solve the exact same problem. I have good news!

If you are experiencing issues reading and writing CDs on a DVD player (like I am), but DVD read and write functionality is ok, you might have a hardware problem.

To check and see if you have a hardware problem (that strangely only affects CDs), try rebooting your computer with a Windows XP installation CD-ROM. (Make sure booting from the CD drive is the first option in your bios)

If you fail to boot from the CD, it's a hardware problem. Now, try booting a Windows XP installation DVD. If that works, you've determined that your drive strangely just can't use CD's any more.

You need a new drive! (How is that good news?!) Because if you perform this check first, it saves you hours of troubleshooting and forum crawling. Hope this helps!

-Taku

[PrntRhd]

Taku,
The original poster already replied that it was a hardware problem and replacing the drive took care of the issue last year.