Drive can read video/music discs but can't read data discs

Archived from groups: comp.sys.hp.hardware (More info?)

I was once told by a good friend who sells laptops online
(Onlinelaptops.com) that the DVD ROM has separate channel for Data and
another one for DVD. I just replaced a DVD on a Gateway laptop a few
weeks ago with the same problem.

Dewaine

Bob Weissman wrote:

> My 3-year-old HP Pavilion ze1230 laptop has no problem playing
> commercial video DVDs and audio CDs. These discs load quickly and
> smoothly.
>
> But the drive no longer reads data discs at all. When I load a data CD,
> the drive rattles and clanks for a long time and finally gives up. The
> drive used to read data discs fine, but at some point that stopped
> working.
>
> I find it puzzling that the drive can read video and music DVDs and CDs
> but cannot read data discs. Have you ever encountered this symptom
> before and know whether there's a fix? I've looked for new drivers but
> haven't found any that address this problem.
>
> Thanks,
> - Bob