Reading CD's

[xodkrm]

My CD drive seems to be working, yet windows can't see what files the CD is storing. I can hear the CD turning, but my computer doesn't display the name or details of CDs. This is happening with all CD's.

How can i fix this problem?

[Basan]

My initial guess is that the CD drive isn't reading the CD's properly (most likely an issue with the laser). And I trust that you know the only solution for that... :concern:

[xodkrm]

$, which something im trying to save atm...
: (

Is there a way to find out the exact problem?

[OboeGuru]

If it is a problem with the laser, which seems most likely, it could just be that the lens is dirty. Unfortunately there's no universal way to clean a laser lens, especially one in a computer CD drive. No matter how much laser technology improves, they still use lenses and they still get dirty over time. There are a number of dry-action cleaners on the market, usually in the form of a special brush mounted on a CD; these cost something like $10. However, if the lens is really really dirty, the best approach is to get access to the laser lens itself (involving opening up the drive case) and swabbing it with isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip. I wouldn't recommend opening up the drive case, but it's cheaper than buying a new drive.