CD-RW drive writes but won't read

I have begun to run into a bit of a puzzling situation. I recently purchased a new printer and went to put in the install cd and nothing happened. I opened My Computer and the drive properties said 0 used 0 free. Thought it to be a bad cd. Exchanged at store with same results. I began trying other cd's and got the same results. I changed out the drive with a brand new drive and still had the same issue...not able to read a cd. I put the other drive back in and for the heck of it tried to write files to a blank cd-r. It wrote just fine. And the properties of the disc started changing as I wrote more to it...but it wouldn't read!
Any ideas on where to begin? It doesn't appear as if it's a hardware issue as the new drive wouldn't read either.

 

won't read

when you open my computer right click on the drive, click properties, then hardware, is all listed there working ?

 

Also check auto play options

 

Yes. All is listed in working condition.
When you mention autoplay that leads me to think I mislead in my question.
The drive flat doesn't read. It doesn't list any contents of the disk at all!
Right click Open displays nothing, or rather, stick disc in drive d:!

 

cd-rw

start - my comp - properties - hardware - device manager. uninstall driver for drive that won't read. restart. it will find it.

 

I would check that the data cable to the drive is OK. You have changed drives, but pull out and reseat the cable at the motherboard connector. Try another cable if you have one.

I have not seen this particular problem before. Keep posting back with your progress because if suggestions are offered we just wait until we hear the possible results. As you can see, it will probably take some trial and error to find the cause (as you said "it is a puzzling situation "), so you may have to try different avenues.

Matt

 

cd-rw

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321641/
article # "324129" well chit that din werk just go to microsoft help and support and type in that #

 

cd-rw

A last thought. if you have a backup system drive - left click my comp - R click C - L - properties- L - click tools- L - check now mark both boxes - then yes - restart.

 

Sorry for the delay in response.
Will start by removing driver themselves, the the controller driver and see what happens.
I have not physically checked the cable. I have, however, tried another, brand new drive. Same symptoms. Will not read commercial disc or cd-r, but will write to one!
I will try the DMA, PIO settings changing and see what happens. And try another cable.
I'm not sure I followed you in that last replay.

 

Click start--left click my comp. right click on C: - left click tools- left click check now-then check both boxes. then -click start. then restart. the boxes will tell you what they are for.

 

How do you know, if you can't read the CD? Anyway, I've read that the read and write each use a different part of the hardware, specifically a different laser. So it does make sense. I would toss the drive and get a DVD-RW. They're availavle for around $40. See this