dvdrw not reading

GT60

Hi the dvd rw thingy is not reading disc's for some reason

You can put a disc in the draw and then you have to go to my computer and click on the image to get the disc to run.

This is a hit and miss as to weather the pc reads the disc as sometimes you can put a disc in and the pc does not read it or anything ( just as if the draw is empty)

The system is XP home and everything is up to date.
Please keep it simple.
Thanks Niall

fwor

Firstly, check to see if errors are shown for the drive in Device Manager (unlikely if it works sometimes).

If it's been used in a very dusty environment (e.g. if the PC is sitting on a carpet) the lens may have dust on it, in which case a lens cleaning disc may solve the problem.

However, it's more likely that the mechanism itself is failing. There are several possible reasons, including a buildup of hardened grease on the internal runner, or deterioration of the filaments that support the lens. In your case it might be the sensor that detects whether the drawer is open or closed, as it sounds like it won't even attempt to spin the CD.

Either way, if it's not just dust, they are not economically fixable. Fortunately they are less than £30 these days.