CDs not always read

I have had my asus m5N laptop for just over a month now. In that time, I have found three CDs that it will not read. (I have tried about 20 different CDs). One of the CDs was the Nero software that came bundled with it; another was a brand-new copy of Microsoft Office, and the third was the CD that came with a digital camera (though it did read this at a later time). Desktop computers would read the software, and when the CDs were copied on the desktop, my laptop would then read them and I could install my software properly.

How concerned should I be about this?? Is that a normal rate of failure for a laptop CD drive? (it looks a lot more fragile that a desktop one). I haven't since found any that wouldn't be read.

As it's been 6 weeks since purchase, I doubt I could return it to the store, so I suspect I'd have to go through the asus service and try to get it fixed rather than just replaced. I'm in the UK; I don't know how easy it is to find a service dealer; I have a feeling there aren't any in my city, which means hassles of sending it back, waiting, etc. I'd rather not be without the computer for very long, as I've only finally got up and running again since my old one died. And while a replacement computer would be fine if the shop would do it, it would be such a hassle getting all set up and everything again. (It's taken me quite a while to work all this new stuff out, as I've had a very very old windows 98 machine up til now, so lots of new stuff to learn about laptops, XP, SP2, CD and DVDs, broadband, wireless, new software....! And recreating all that again would be a bit of a hassle.) Still, hassle or not, I'd rather have it fixed one way or the other if it really is a problem that might get worse in the future, and not just a fluke that happened a few times right at the beginning and never since.

(Plus, how to I explain there was a problem, when all the CDs since have worked OK?! They'd just have to take my word for that, and somehow, I can't see it...)

 

Sounds like that drive of yours is very buggy ! You could try seeing if there is a updated firmware for the drive, this normally improved cd compatability. Do others out there have similar problems with cds?
I found out the hard way that the toshi drive in my notebook is a terrible DVD burner, I could never get a successful burn out of the thing. So I have a feeling that you maybe right about the fragile nature of laptop drives in general.
a


ASUS M6Ne 15.4" WSXGA 1.7 PM ATI9700 80Gb HDD 1Gb RAM

 

Yes, I had this problem with my CD Drive when I put in the NERO disc that came with the laptop aswell. I have yet to put it on thinking that it was just the CD, but now I have other thoughts/worries. But other than that, I have had no worries with the computer.
I might try the firmware update though, worth a try....


--------------------------------------------------
ASUS Z9
Dothan 1.7 (735)/ 512Mb RAM / 40gig / ATI 9100 IGP
--------------------------------------------------

 

So how do I find out about firmware upgrades? I was looking at some kind of upgrade, and it said something about it being much better to get it from the manufacturer - i.e. asus - and not general drivers for that drive??

Do you think I should take it back?

I'm surprised that the microsoft disk wouldn't work, though, as you'd think that would be fairly compatible..

If I upgarde the firmware, would it then likely read the same CDs that it wouldn't read before, or have I probably damaged the CD somehow in the process?

i haven't yet tried burning any DVDs, but I probalby should. I've burnt a CD and that seemed to work OK. BUt I probably should, just so that I know whether there is a definite need to return it or not.

 

Normally you would go to the manufacture of the drive, who in this case is panasonic. But they have washed their hands of this drive and thus you need to go to ASUS for updates. I noticed sony had released a firmware late 2004 for the drive, so I suspect there should be an upgrade from asus avaliable or coming soon.
a


ASUS M6Ne 15.4" WSXGA 1.7 PM ATI9700 80Gb HDD 1Gb RAM

 

Yeah, I saw something by Sony as well, but wasn't sure whether I should download that or not, or whether it would work differently in a panasonic/mat****a drive. Presumably the asus site will have it when it's ready.

Is the failure to read a few disks now and again more or less normal behaviour for these sorts of drives, or is it serious enough I should consider returning it?