Accidentally did custom install instead of repair install

ericwoo said:

I am all set up now though.

But yeah, the drive it there and labeled. It will play DVD's but not CDs. I ran all the windows updates.

Any chance the optical drive is bad? If I remember correctly most (all?) optical drives have separate laser units; one for DVDs and one for CDs. Would you happen to have access to an external DVD/CD drive to see if that plays your CDs? Have you tried the Microsoft Troubleshooter?

Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Have you considered trying a commercially available cleaning kit?

It looks like you are right. There are two optical lens that I didn't notice before. What type of cleaning kits?

I ran the Troubleshooter and it said "ENE CIR Receiver had some problems" but it could not fix it. So I searched online for it and downloaded it here: ENE CIR Receiver Driver for Microsoft Windows 7 | HP® Support

Then ran the Troubleshooter again and the message wasn't there. But it did say the following and nothing else:

"Hardware changes might not have been detected"

I don't know what the heck that means.

Wow, this is embarrassing! I used a microfiber cloth and some premium grade glass cleaner on the optical lens. And that fixed my problem.

marsmimar, thanks for suggesting I clean it!

My whole computer is now back in working order, thanks to all you fine people.

Outstanding news! Glad you got it sorted out.

Good call, Lee. Need to remember that one. Wish I could rep you again.