i have a problem with my DVD-RW drive. it recognize blank cd's but installers are not. what should i do to fix it?

Look in your Device Manager.
Delete the DVD drive.
Let Windows rediscover it.
You might need to reboot to force Windows to reinstall the DVD drive.

Good Luck...

i deleted the DVD drive, restart my computer and let windows rediscover it but it didn't work. my dvd drive is not able to recognize any type of cd's. what should i do? do you have any suugestions?

OK. That would have been too easy.

Look again in the Device Manager.
Is that any devices that have a ? or !
If so, delete them.
Is there a category called "Other"?
If so, enter the category and delete anything in there.

If all is well, you should not have an Other category or any ? or ! indicated devices.

Is the DVD-RW the only CD type drive you have?
Do you have one drive for CDs and one for DVDs?

i only have the DVD-RW drive... i think my dvd drive recognizes only dvd's because when i inserted a blank DVD+R cd in it, it is recognized. and i was able to burn it. i also tried playing it and there's no problem. i tried other dvds and i was able to play them..
when i tried installers and CD-Rs, they are not recognized. i dont have any idea how will i fix it.

Ok, i will do what you have just suggested.

What is the make and model of the DVD drive?