Ok - seen this a few times, but haven't read a resolution, yet. If I just missed the posted answer sorry for the duplicate post, let me know and I'll tag this one with the reference. Seems like this has happened to a few folks.

I have:
Dell Inspiron 1100
Windows XP Pro SP2 (patches up-to-date)
Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-C2612 (factory installed DVD/CD drive)

Here's the deal: reads factory DVDs with no problem (Windows Media Player 10), does not read manufactured CDs, home-burned data CDs, or factory audio CDs.Tried multiple of each type and verified that they work in other drives (I have an external [USB] TDK CD-RW drive that I used to check the CD's are ok).

Device driver is up-to-date.

I tried deleting the device from the device manager and re-booting. Device reinstalls, but same thing happens.

Here's what I'm wondering - I know CD and DVD use different light frequencies (CD's use IR and DVDs use red - I think ). Do these dual drives typically use two lasers? I'm thinking that the DVD laser is working while the CD laser is kaput. Figured I'd check if anyone knows of something I'm missing before I try to track down a replacement drive and see if that fixes it.

Cheers y'all!

Hello iguana,

I've seen this problem many times, and in all cases, it has been the CD-ROM drive itself. Some drives simply do not support CD-R media, and others have problems reading certain types of CD-R media. Try using different brand's of CD-R media.

Hey Monkey,
It's not just an issue with CD-R media, any type of CD - music, data (i.e. commercial software), etc. DVD's seem to work fine, it just can't figure out what to do with a CD. That's why I'm thinking there are two lasers and the DVD laser is working and the CD laser is toast. Probably time for a new drive?

So just commercial DVD's work, nothing else?

There is only one as far as I'm aware, it maybe your drives inability to read the difference between them, but all of this is done by the drive itself, rather than the OS (not that the OS doesn't have any part to play at all). Not really worth trying to repair IMHO. Parts normally cost nearly as much as the drive. Are you out of warranty?

Yup - just commercial DVD's - I don't have any home made ones to try, but no type of CD works (and they all test good in other drives).

Definitely out of warranty, so a new drive is probably the answer. Hoping there was some sort of hack that was worth trying, but would have been (pleasently) surprised to find one. I understand that the wavelength of the light is different between CD's and DVD's, so even if there is one laser, there is something in the drive that switches back and forth - and I agree that replacement is more economical than repair.

I'm certain this isn't possible iggy. Certainly not from a software level. There is a lot you can control on a CD drive, such as the drive door and the write speed and a few little nibblets, but nothing substantial. Your case is rare as normally the laser itself will fail, or the lens becomes worn or may need cleaning, and would affect all CD's instead of a specific type of CD.

EDIT: Marked as answered.