Thinkpad having trouble reading CD-R

[EXTRAordinary]

One of my ThinkPads I just got can't see data on the recordable CDs I have. It can read regular CDs fine and it can read some old recordable CDs I have that are a different brand but I no longer have blank disks of. Is this a known issue with older computers not reading some brands of CD-Rs? Are there brands that work well? Thanks

[axur-delmeria]

Which Thinkpad model do you have?

I've personally experienced old CD drives being very picky with discs similar to your issue, but it was an ancient 760XD.

To add to that, most likely the cause is the age of the CD drive itself.

[EXTRAordinary]

It is a G40

[axur-delmeria]

Replacing the CD drive with a DVD drive may solve your problem. A quick internet search yielded an unanswered question in the Lenovo forums regarding a G40 with a similar issue, specifically with a CD drive manufactured by Teac.

[EXTRAordinary]

I got it to work. I had to record the CD on the slowest write speed and then it would read the disk.

[axur-delmeria]

Good to hear. Haven't burned a CD in years TBH. Kinda forgot that issue.