My DVD burner reads CDs slooow but DVDs fine

[Avenger007]

My Lite-On SOWH-1673s reads CDs so slowly that explorer or whatever application is reading the CD sometimes freezes for several seconds or even minutes. Nero DiscSpeed managed to get a *blistering* speed of around 0.8x, even though max speed is 48x on drive specs.
This has been the case for several months now and I've had to make-do with just DVDs. DVD speed is fine; Nero DiscSpeed gives a nice curve eventually reaching max speed.

I'm guessing it's a drive problem as opposed to a DMA problem or something like that, but how would I know for sure?
Any help is appreciated of course. :)
Thanks.

[Inventive Software]

To prove it's not a DMA problem, navigate to Device Manager, look for the IDE controller. If any are in PIO mode, change them to DMA and reboot. If that doesn't work, remove the offending IDE controller and let it re-install the driver.

It could be a drive problem. Does this happen with ALL CDs? Data or Audio or both?

[Avenger007]

The IDE controller says the Current Transfer Mode is Ultra DMA Mode 4.
ALL CDs read slowly: Data, Audio, blanks, RWs...
ALL DVDs read fine, just like when the drive was new (which was about a few years ago :D).

[Inventive Software]

From memory, I think DVD uses a different laser to CD, so get a DVD lense cleaner and see if that makes a difference.

[Avenger007]

so get a DVD lense cleaner and see if that makes a difference.
Hmm...I guess I'll have to look around for stores close by me that sell DVD lense cleaners (which may be a bit difficult since demand for that is very low ).
I'll try it, especially if it can save me from buying a new drive.
Thanks.

[jeffy]

Avanger, a new drive costs about 25 dollars
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=5&name=CD-DVD-Burners

A cleaning disc costs about 10 dollars. If your drive is covered under warranty, RMA it. If not, consider the investment.

[Avenger007]

Thanks for the advice, but...
Newegg (and pretty much every other online store) is out of reach where I live! :mad:
Also, the drive is no longer under warranty.

Since the drive reads DVDs fine, would a cleaning disc make any difference? Maybe in the worst case it might do more harm than good by making the drive inoperable.
If that happens I guess I can always turn the burner into a high-powered laser :D :
http://felesmagus.com/pages/lasers-howto.html
:D:D

[jeffy]

@Avenger007:
The question is not whether the Newegg store or any other store is within the reach (it was an example only), the question is: how much will your retailer charge you for a new drive? The prices are really low now and I don't think a cleaning disc will solve your problem. A brand new drive with a new warranty period should.

[Avenger007]

@Avenger007:
I don't think a cleaning disc will solve your problem. A brand new drive with a new warranty period should.
I was afraid of that :(. I just wanted to make sure I tried everything before having to buy a new drive.
Low end models (cheap brands) sell at mainstream prices and mainstream models (decent brands) sell at a good deal more than at Newegg where I live.
Thanks anyway. :)