I am having a problem with my DVD rom. I put a

I am having a problem with my DVD rom. I put a disc in there (DVD or CD) and it shows what the disc is and even names all the songs on it, but then a message comes up saying- “
Windows Media Player cannot read the CD. Be sure the CD is free of dirt and scratches and the CD-ROM drive is functioning properly”.

Now if the thing can’t read the disc, how does it know the title of it and what tracks are on it????

I have been told that it is probably the laser that has gone, but if that’s the case how is it able to recognise the information on the disc, but can’t play it.?
G.M.