My 1-2-3 system will not read/play my cd's. It reads "bad disc." I've tried differnt cd's new-old.

A. Did you try a second disk to make sure the disk isn't bad?

B. Is the DVD a new format like HD, 3D or Blu-ray? if so it won't work.

Hi alc9910,
If you have necessary tools and test instruments, know safety precaution in basic troubleshooting try the steps below to solve your problem.
Assuming that the disc is good.
1.Clean the lens. - Sometimes because of dust and any fine foreign objects the lens can't read any disc. If you have a CD Lens cleaner, play it to the affected area. If this is not available you may manually clean the optical lens. Open the cover and gently clean the eye of the lens by smooth,clean,soft cotton buds. Be careful while doing this, just a gentle stroke only.

I've suspected that #1 is the problem of your unit, below is just for your guide.
2.Check the ribbon - Check the ribbon connected to the lens from the main board for scratch, damage. Once it has an open line then of course the lens can't read the disc. Also try to erase the contact by pencil eraser. If you've done the steps above and the symptoms still there then the next step requires you a little knowledge in soldering technique and reading the ohmmeter.
3.Check the motor - Check the motor that spin the disc with an ohmmeter. You can test it using the ohmmeter (x1) even it is connected on the lens assembly.Good motor - reading should be fairly high and it will spin. Bad motor- reading will drop to low resistance and will not spin.

Click this link for more info.

LINK1

LINK2

Hint : Most of my repaired unit the above parts are commonly caused of the problem.
If you confirmed that you have a defective motor then replace it with a new one. Before replacing the new motor you have to check the clearance of the disc holder with the old one. The clearance should be the same as the old because if not the lens will not read the disc if it is too far or too close.
If the above steps didn't cure the problem, high chance that your optical lens was faulty.

If you can't do the job yourself, I would advice you to look for a professional to troubleshoot the symptom.

Also, check if your unit is under warranty period, avail it because the manufacturer will fix it for free. Don't attempt to open the cover(it will void the warranty).

Hope I helped you.
Have a nice day!
Thanks for using Fixya.

Check for fingerprints or dirt on your DVD. Wipe it clean and try again. Also check for scratches. Try another DVD and see if your system reads it. If it does not try cleaning the drive laser lens with a CD lens cleaner available at places such as KMart or WalMart in the electronic section. If that still does not work chances are you laser on your drive is bad and needs replaced. It will need servicing.

If your using copies then some dvds wont read them even if the old one did, sometimes its a gamble if it reads or not, if your using a master then i would have them check it out, it may be bad or need programing, it funny because sometimes it will play a copy and sometimes not, thats what i've run into. hope this helps.

What is the format of the data on your CD?

It is not all players that plays all CD's, so maybe the CD you inserted is among those that your player cannot play.

Or maybe you need to change the lens totally, but before you do this, try some other CD's on the player and see how it responds.

There are two possibilities either there is dirt on the CD lens that needs to be cleaned off. Or the lens has a scratch on it and will need to be replaced.

My Bose Wave Radio/CD developed this problem about a year ago. I don't use the CD player much and kept the unit clean. The disc spins but, the system does not read it. Cleaning the lens with cotton did not help.

Read that Bose charges $75 to fix this problem.

Buy A CD Lens Cleaner and put it in to the CD Player and keep retrying until the drive plays it and then follow the instructions for the CD Lens Cleaner after its finished try playing a CD if it still wont play try another disc and if it does not play that try reset the player by unplugging it for five seconds if it still wont play the CD drive has failed in the drive and you need a new stereo. Stereos dont last forever so dont be surprised if you need to buy a new one

Try a lens cleaner cd, as when the lens gets misaligned or if it's quite old, it will find it harder to read a DVD as the tracks are much closer together than that of a VCD as they are cd's and their tracks are wider apart and easier to read.

It might be an older system that can't read computer-made discs, or it could be a disc incapability. Most old players can't read CD-R discs, even if they can play normal/original CDs. You can try another media but i wont think it will help. Sorry.