My cd drive does not recognize blank CD's I insert them into the drive and the drive lights as it attempts to read the cd but nothing happens. If I use explorer the drive shows up empty.

What operating system you're running, and its version.

Any changes that either happened or that you perhaps made to your computer around the time that the problem started; particularly any software or hardware that you installed or setup.

What operating system you're running, and its version.

Any changes that either happened or that you perhaps made to your computer around the time that the problem started; particularly any software or hardware that you installed or setup.

I am running XP servixe pack 2. I have not updated to service pack 3. I did recently add ram to my computer, but I had this problem before I added the ram

So no new software been added recently?

Does this happen on all types of discs, cd and dvd, music, movie and data?

Coul you clarify on your original statement? "the drive shows up empty"... does it show up empty or does it say there is no disc in the drive?

And, what do you normally expect to happen when you insert a blank cd?

There is no disc in the drive is the respons.

A window normally opens which says a blank CD ha been inserted into the drive. What do you want to do? It then lists options such as burn a cd etc

so no new software been added recently?

does this happen on all types of discs, cd and dvd, music, movie and data?

It only happens with a blank CD. The computer plays CD's with music, data,and jpg files.
It does not recognize DVD's or blank CD-R

Can give this a try, it will not affect anything even when these changes are made


in Device Manager, delete both drives and close it.

Now delete the Upper and Lower Filters to force XP to redetect the drives on reboot:

a. Click on Start --> Run --> and type in 'regedit' followed by the enter key

b. Expand the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" key (looks like a folder) by double clicking it (or
Clicking the "+" next to it.)

c. Expand the "SYSTEM" Key

d. Expand the "CurrentControlSet" Key

e. Expand the "Control" Key

f. Expand the "Class" Key

g. Look for a key containing the following string of letter and numbers:
{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

h. Highlight this key

I. On the right hand side you are looking for "UpperFilters" and "LowerFilters" under the "Name" column, once you find these delete them by right clicking on them and choosing "delete"

j. Exit the registry

Reboot.

Registry
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. If uncomfortable with using Registry Editor, see if you can find someone who is comfortable and that you can Trust. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The computer plays CD's with music, data,and jpg files.
So you can still hear music from music cd's?

How about system sounds?

Check your Master Volume Control
-double click on your speaker next to clock to open master volume
-make sure you have wav volume turned up and not mute

As far as the DVD, you may need to get new DVD rom drive
-If you have access to another known working drive, you can try that to see if it is problem with the drive you are using now

I have a hewlet packard dvd writer in another machine. It is a model dvd420i. I could take it out and hook it up to this machine. Do you know offhand if this unit will play cds as well

Yes, do not see why it wouldn't

Test it on the machine it is in now to confirm that it is working properly, if all good, test it in machine that cannot play or read

I did the above but there is no place to delete filters.