My thinkpad T42 will not read any cds

Try this fix from Microsoft. Scroll down to your operating system, read carefully as it means going in to the registry.
MissingCDRomFix.

Is this the case with all CD's, or just one? Have you tried cleaning the CD?

To reset the BIOS password read the information from this link.

In case of your laptop the easiest method would be using software from Hiren's Boot CD as it's pretty hard to open it up and reach for the CMOS battery or the jumper.

While I was not able to find that specific model of laptop, I was able to locate the CDRW Bay and based on my research this bay only supports the following models. Though it may look the same and even have the same interface, if it is not in the supported model list, it will not properly function.

Supported Media Types:

• CD-ROM
• CD-R
• CD-RW
• DVD-ROM

Compatible with:

• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R50
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R50e
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R50p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R51
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R51e
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R52
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T40
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T40p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T41
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T41p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T42
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T42p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T43
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T43p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T60
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T60p
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad X40 series (X series media slice or Ultrabase required)
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad X41 series (X series media slice or Ultrabase required)
• IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T30, X30, X31, R40 series (2366, 2367, 2884, 2885, 2681, 2682, 2683, 2896, 2722, 2723, 2724, 2897, 2672, 2673 - when installed with the optional ThinkPad Slim Drive adapter for the UltraBay 2000 or X series UltraBase or Media Slice)

If you see your model in this list comment back and we can move forward with getting your issue resolved.

Good Luck,

NOLA Tech

it eiter has a reading error or ..the cd is corrupted...if you are trying to reinstall use a bootable cd with the windows you want ...and recover the drivers from the recovery cd-es by trying to explore to see what is in them ...or ...from the net ...

bruh with that if you know anybody who knows how to replace a lens on the ODD then you could have them replace it for you. and if not you are just going to have to replace the complete ODD

Go to this link & I'm sure it could solve your problem... Trust me... :-)
http://www.laptops-drivers.com

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-t41-2379/4507-3121_7-30567436.html

Thats the spec for yout laptop, if you have the plug-on module then you can write on it.

Optical Storage

• Type CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - Plug-in module
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 16x
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x

Good luck
Nic

Call IBM/Lenovo. For about $60, they will provide a complete set of "Recovery CDs" for the ThinkPad. That software will include a DVD-player and the correct sound-drivers. Or, check IBM's "support" web-site -- you may be able to download the correct drivers.

Internal the pickup assy. (the laser) there are three components that read the discs, one for DVD one for CD and one for the DVD-ROM its likely that the DVD-ROM laser has gone out. Take the drive out and get the part number and look it up online on ebay or the like :-)