I’ve seen some talk on this subject but I would like to take this topic a bit further. I have two computers where the same problem started and I think it has to do with XP files or Registry and not the hardware.
System One – (XP SP2, 1 DVD-rom and 1 DVD-RW) Worked fine one day and the next when I insert a dvd the os changes the drive from dvd-rw to cd-drive. Now I can’t read or burn any dvd’s. I’m still working on this one. My burn software tells me I inserted a CD and not a DVD.
System 2 – (XP SP2, 2 DVD-RW drives) Again this system worked fine until one day both drives switched from DVD-RW to CD when I inserted a DVD drive. Tried MANY things but the problem did not go away. As with XP it was time to rebuild the system anyway so I reformated C and reloaded XP. Guess what the drives now work but still switch to CD when I insert the DVD. ??? My burn software here tells me it ok to burn a dvd and will do it.
I’m betting that this issue is deep inside the registry or bad driver file within the OS. I do not beleive it has anything to do with dirt ( I agree with some comments that dirt effects DVD before CDs ).
By the way I never cleaned or touched the two dvd drives in the system.
Ideas anyone? I would have to reformat system one since I just did system 2.