The CD/DVD Drive Doesn't Recognize a Disc

Follow this procedure if the CD/DVD drive in your Windows® XP computer doesn't recognize a disc.

1. If the problem occurs on a notebook computer:
   • Plug in the computer to an AC power source before accessing the drive.
   • Enable the drive in VAIO Power Management.
2. Check if your CD/DVD drive supports the disc.
   • DVDROM drives will not read DVDRAM discs.
   • DVD+-RW drives support both DVD+R and DVD-R and both DVD+RW and DVD-RW media, but some older DVD-RW drives only support DVD-R(G) and DVD-RW media.
   • If the drive is a multi-format drive and can read a CD disc, but not a DVD disc, or can read a DVD disc, but not a CD disc, service may be required.
   • The labels should be facing up for CD and single sided DVD discs.
3. Try a different disc in the drive.
   • If another disc works in the drive, the disc may be damaged in some way or is not readable.
   • The drive lens may have accumulated some dust and needs to be cleaned.
   • Make sure the disc is clean and free of smudges.
   • Make sure the required playback software is installed.
4. Fix any device conflicts in Device Manager.
5. Make sure third-party applications don't block access to the drive.
6. Reinstall the CD/DVD driver.
7. Perform a system restore to a point when the CD/DVD drive was functioning properly.
8. Check for a possible virus on the computer.
9. Perform a system recovery.

If you have completed all of the steps and the issue is not resolved, repair may be required.  Go to Product Repair.