driver problem? both cd-rom and cd-rw drive can't read cds

[xixix]

I have a gateway laptop with a cd-rw drive. It suddenly can't read any cds. My computer still recognize the drive and in device manager it says working properly. I thought the cd-rw is bad, so bought an external cd-rom. It's the same thing, cd spins, computer recognize the drive, but nothing can be read from the cd.

FYI, cd writer software is not installed.

Is it a driver problem, IDE problem? I was not able to reinstall the drivers for both drives because I can't find them on internet and I can't read the original cd with drivers.

Any idea how to solve this problem?

Thanks!!!!

[Insomniac]

It has nothing to do with drivers.

Optical drives don't use drivers, nor do they need them.

Check your ASPI layer, and download the Nero Info Tool, which will also tell you the condition of your system ASPI layer.