DVD drive will no longer read audio CDs

[ClaireM]

This isn't specifically an OpenSUSE or even a Linux issue, so I hope it's OK to ask here.

I have a Thinkpad R61i running OpenSUSE 11.1 (64-bit); dual-boot with VISTA, tho I very very rarely use VISTA for anything. It has a combination DVDRW/CDRW drive (a GSA-T20N, if that's relevant).

At the weekend, I set to rip a few CDs to MP3. First one went fine with C3B, but the second CD wasn't recognised by the drive. I tried another CD, which also worked fine, then another which wasn't recognised. I presumed hat one of those copy-protection mechanisms was at work.

At that point, I gave up on the ripping for now, and left the CD in the drive. I powered the computer on-and-off several times over the next few days, and the disc whirred away for a while with no result.

Today I wanted to resume ripping, so I took that disk out and tried another one. Also not recognised ... and the same with several others, including those ripped only a few days ago. It now seems that the drive won't recognise any audio CD, though it does recognise DVDs. So far, I also haven't found a data CD that it will recognise.

I have tried Vista, but get the same results that way.

So it seems to me that the copy-protected CD has somehow damaged the CD-reading functions of the drive whilst leaving the DVD functions intact. Does this sound plausible?

It seems puzzling to me that the apparent death of the CD-reading function has not also killed the DVD-reading.

[caf4926]

More likely you need a new drive. Just chance.

[ClaireM]

Originally Posted by caf4926

More likely you need a new drive. Just chance.

That seems to be the case. I was just wondering whether it really was the case that a CD could kill the drive.

If it is new drive time, it's a bit of a nuisance. Laptop is still under warranty, but to get it fixed I'll have to send it away ... and the alternative is a bill of about £40 or £50 for a new drive. DVD burners for desktops are cheap, but not laptops

[caf4926]

There is no way I would send it back, they will probably throw it back at you because you installed Linux - spouting a load of nonsense that you void the warranty by installing it.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=10&subid=952

http://www.ebuyer.com/cat/CD---DVD-Drives/subcat/Slimline-Drives