Working only with CD, but can not start any DVD

If it is working correctly, it should read both CD and DVD disks.

If you have a "combo" drive (DVD-reader and CD reader/writer), it should burn CD disks.

If it is not working correctly, spend $40 to buy a replacement CD/DVD reader/writer.

Just click below for information;

» CD or DVD Drive is not Detected (Windows 98, ME, or XP)
Is RecordNow or Easy CD Creator not recognizing the writable CD or DVD drive in your PC? Use this document to resolve this issue. » Drive Cannot Write to Writable Discs (Windows 98, ME, XP)
Getting errors while creating a CD? This may help? » Creating a Music CD
How to create an audio CD. » Drive Cannot Read Purchased Discs in Windows 98, ME, and XP
Putting in a game disc does nothing? Use this document to resolve the issue or find out if the drive is bad. » Enabling or Disabling Autoplay, Starting CDs and DVDs Automatically
How to make discs start automatically when they are inserted into the CD or DVD drive. » Troubleshooting System Recovery Problems in Windows XP
If you are having problems using the HP Recovery process on your Windows XP computer, this document will probably help. » Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set
Learn how you can get recovery discs for your HP or Compaq desktop PC. » Installing or Replacing a CD, CDRW, or DVD Drive
This document provides step-by-step instructions to install, remove, or replace a CD or DVD drive. » Opening a Stuck CD or DVD Drive Tray
Drive door stuck? Use this document for several methods to try that open the CD or DVD door. » Computer Starts to Black Screen With Only a White Arrow
If your computer always starts at a blank screen with only a mouse pointer, use this document to restore the file lsass.exe.

Hope this may help;

Regards,
VOTIT

Try inserting a CD+R. im willing to bet the ones your putting in are CD-R. See if it plays those.

Yes you can use a usb external cd/dvd-rom to any operating system as long as the bios allows you to, most bios's have the capability.

When the external usb drive has been connected power up the mechine, in post it should tell what to press to enter your boot menu without entering your bios and choose usb drive to boot.

you can buy that type of hardware anywhere since it is standard for all desktop. Your current drive is IDE meaning that the data cable on it is an IDE type.
Go to your local computer store and ask for a DVD writer IDE, since there is really no price difference now for a combo or dvd writer drive, it will be like 10 $ more for the writer. I live in canada so if you are in the US could be less here a DVD writer is around 35 $ at a computer shop.

Here is the spec of your computer just in case :

Dimension E510

It seems that what you have is a combo drive only :(
it only recognize DVD reading. no matter what driver you used. need to buy a dvd writer/ that said can write dvd.


Types of Optical Drives and CD/DVDs
Optical drive type Read from CD/DVD-ROM media Write to CDRW media Write to DVD ±RW/R media Write to DVD +R DL media Write label to LightScribe CD-RW Write to DVD-RAM media DVD-ROM Drive Yes No No No No No DVD and CD-RW Combo Drive Yes Yes No No No No DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double- Layer support Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes LightScribe DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double- Layer support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Blu-Ray Disc DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive with Double-Layer support Yes Yes* Yes Yes No Yes *Low speed (4X) and high speed (4-12X) are supported. UHS-RW (24X and 32X CD-RW) is not supported.

NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives are not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.

Change your dvd rom.

Finding and installing Realtek AC'97 Drivers 4.04 cleared up the audio problems.

I am assuming they are both on the same ide cable. If so set both of the jumpers to CS (cable select) and try rebooting the machine.

If this doesnt work you might have the bios configured to say there is no drive on that ide channel location. If the first option doesnt work let me know and I might be able to help further

The laser lens in your drive might be dirty or failing. Try the following solutions: Clean the laser lens with a DVD player lense cleaning disc. Lense cleaning discs are available at many electronics retail store. Sorry i can't help you more.