My DVD drive and DVD writer will not read any CD or DVD when inserted the first time. If I select to eject the drive in the software the drive tray opens and when I close the drive tray, the disc is read as per normal.

It never works on the first try, no matter on the type of disc etc, but always reads the disc correctly when I eject form the software. If I eject using the button on the outside of the computer case and reinsert the disc then the drive does not read the disc. It only seems to work when I eject from the software.

Up until about 3 weeks ago both drives worked perfectly, now for some reason they don't. Could it be a registry setting ??

have you checked this setting?

go to Start > My Computer : rt click on the drive then choose properties then AutoPlay & make sure "take no action" is Not selected.

or check Device Manager for any errors?

Thanks Jephree,

I have checked the settings, Autoplay is selected, and in the device manager the drives are functioning correctly.

The confusing part is as soon as I reinsert the disc (after ejecting it) it works fine.

here is a general google search:

General Google

& here is one specific from that search:

3) Lost Auto-Run In XP

dankofc writes - How do I get auto-run feature in windows xp home edition to work. I load my cd's (games) and I have to manually run them from start button.

Kaylene suggests:
Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services/Shell Hardware Detection/Return this service to Automatic.

Run the Auto Play Repair Tool (Line 234) column 2:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Enable CD AutoPlay for Pro or Home (Line 10) column 1:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

For more information if required:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330135

The AutoRun or AutoPlay Feature Does Not Work:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314855
CD-ROM May Not Run Automatically in Windows XP

Thanks Jephree,

I tried all the things you suggested. Unfortunately it did not fix the problem. I dont think it is the auto play feature as the drive will not even allow me to explore the contents of a disc until it has been ejected.

It is as though it has not recognised the disc until I eject and reinsert.

Any other help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Scott

What exactly do you mean by "eject the drive in the software"; "when I eject from the software"?

Also you have 2 drives behaving like this?

Do you remember doing anything "about 3 weeks ago" that would have caused this?

Do you have a restore point before this period?

When I say "eject from the software", let me explain.

If I put a disc in the drive and close the tray, the disc contents cannot be read. I then press the eject button on the outside of the computer case and the drive tray opens, I then press the button again and the tray closes. The disc contents are still not visible or accessible.

The only successful method I have found is the following; Insert the disc and close the disc tray. Go into windows explorer, select the drive and select eject. The disc will then eject. I close the drive tray manually and the disc contents are accessible. This works 100% of the time.

I have 2 drives, a DVD rom and a DVD writer. Both drives are experiencing the same problem, and both worked fine until about 3 weeks ago. I have not done anything that I can think of to cause the problem.

Unfortunately I do not have a system restore point. I don't think.

Thanks for all your help, this is a really frustrating problem.

If I put a disc in the drive and close the tray, the disc contents cannot be read. I then press the eject button on the outside of the computer case and the drive tray opens, I then press the button again and the tray closes. The disc contents are still not visible or accessible.

when you close the drawer, does the operation light on the front of the cd flash a few times and you can hear the drive spinning??

one logical theory, is that your system isnt getting a 'cr drawer open' status when done from the CD itself. So when you then close it, it still perhaps thinks that a cd is still in the drive. it only get the 'cd drawer open command' when executed via windows, so that when you then close it again, it will spin and try to access as it then knows that theres no cd inside just a theory............

Yes the drive spins for about 3 seconds when I insert a disc. After it does this I still cannot access the information, unless I eject via the software as described earlier.

ok, now you've got me obsessed with this problem

i have actually found the opposite of your problem; where windows' eject doesn't work but the mechanical button does; yet i've seen nothing addressing the CD not working because of this; Yet

the first question everyone asks is "do you have a third party CD utility program installed?"

do you? still looking

ps. you say "The disc contents are still not visible or accessible."

is the disc itself seen? or do you see an empty drive?