Why does my CD-ROM drive not read certain discs?
My CD-ROM drive reads some discs fine but others it just spins and spins and then says it can't read the disc. The discs aren't scratched. Some are burned CDs and some are store-bought. Is my drive going bad? Is it a problem with how the CDs were burned? Should I just replace the drive?
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Definitely back up your important files before trying any fixes. I learned this the hard way when I lost 3 years of photos trying to fix a simple problem. Get an external hard drive or burn DVDs of your important stuff first.
5 Answers
Definitely back up your important files before trying any fixes. I learned this the hard way when I lost 3 years of photos trying to fix a simple problem. Get an external hard drive or burn DVDs of your important stuff first.
I'd recommend trying the free solution first before spending money. Nine times out of ten, the free option works just as well as the paid one. Only upgrade to paid software if the free version doesn't meet your needs.
I'd post this on the Tom's Hardware or AnandTech forums with your full system specs — CPU, RAM, motherboard, the works. People can't really help without knowing what you've got. The more detail you give, the better the answers.
Newegg is your friend for parts. Way cheaper than Best Buy or CompUSA and the customer reviews actually help you avoid junk. Just watch out for shipping on heavy stuff like CRT monitors. Read the reviews before you buy ANYTHING.
I'd check Device Manager for any yellow exclamation marks. That's Windows telling you a driver is missing or broken. Right-click My Computer, Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager. Fix anything with a yellow mark and a lot of weird problems clear up.
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