USB CD Drive

[Gheezer77]

My HP Envy Desktop has a built in DVD reader, but not a CD player. I want to play CD's on my computer, so I purchased an HP aux. CD read/write drive. When I plug the CD device into a USB port on my computer, it "chirps", indicating it knows that the device has been plugged in, but it will not operate the drive. When I check my system configuration, the aux drive is not included.

The built in DVD drive will not recognize CD's.

I really would like to play my CD collection on this computer!

Doug Smay

dcsmay@san.rr.com

[TheOldMan]

Most DVD drives can read and play CD's as well as DVD's.  Please provide some added details for the PC, such as model number and Windows version.  If you look in Device Manager, it should indicate the DVD drive make and model number, too.

Please provide additional details for the purchased CD drive, as this do not seem as it should be - that drive should work.

[Gheezer77]

Hello Old Man,

My desktop computer is an HP Envy Desktop Model Number TE01-0150xt, product number 7BB48AV. It comes with a built-in DVD-Writer. I'm using operating system 10 for 68 bit computers. My external CDDVD R/W drive is an HP model GP70N. It's supposed to be plug & play via USB connection.

Like you, I can't figure out why this doesn't work. It should be pretty straight forward. I must be doeing something wrong or leaving something undone, but I don't know what.

Gheezer

[TheOldMan]

Here is the spec page for the HP model GP70N

HP GP70N - Genuine HP Portable Slim USB External DVD-RW Optical Drive - CPU Medics

Notice the info "Works with any PC or Mac with a 2A USB port!"

I could be the USB port is not a @2a port.  Try a rear USB port.

Now to the built-in DVD drive.  I checked on that.  It is a DVD writer and, unless it has a failure, it can read and write CD's, also.  As I said in an above post, look in Device Manager for the make and model number and post it here.

In the first post you sated "The built in DVD drive will not recognize CD's."   By what method did you come to that conclusion.  It should be able to read and write CD's, as well as DVD's.  Windows 10 or Windows 11 does not provide software natively to accommodate DVD's or CD's, so an independent software package is needed to do whatever is needed.

Please explain in detail what you have tried and what software is being called upon to assist.

[Gheezer77]

Hello Old Man,

First, many thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. Second, in answer to your follow-up question, I tested the built-in DVD writer by inserting a blank DVD. There was no response on my monitor. I could not find the DVD writer listed as a component t of the system. The "system" lists the computer, the monitor, the printer, the mouse, the keyboard and an auxiliary hard drive. It does not list the DVD writer. I've tried blank DVD's as well as DVD's with content. The result is always the same. I think the DVD writer is probably defective.

As regards the auxiliary CD/DVD Read/Write unit; I have tried connecting it via the USB ports on the front of the computer and also via the 2A USB ports on the back of the computer. Same result.

I'm 84, so I don't have that much time left, and I don't want to waste any more of it on this computer! So I have found a workaround. The same plug in CD/DVD reader/writer that will not work on my desk top, works perfectly on my laptop. So I can record my CD's on my laptop, download the recording to a flash drive and then transfer the file from the flash drive onto my desk top computer.

It's stupid - but it works.

Case closed!!

Thanks again,

Gheezer

[TheOldMan]

It is good that you found a way to get the desired outcome accomplished, however in a roundabout way.

I can understand why you do not wish to pursue it any further, since you found a way to get it done.

FYI: you are just a bit older than me.

Happy days ahead.