I can play CD's, I can upload to the hard drive from the CD but I can't burn a CD. I get the message that no CD can be found or insert CD in the drive. All was working fine and now it isn't. I called Dell and they couldn't tell me whether it was a software or hardware problem. Maybe you can help!

What software are you using to attempt to burn the CDs and what is the precise error message you are getting?
Regards,
John

I've used Media player, Sonic, etc. It basically tells me that there is no CD in the drive.

Hellllooooo. I'm still waiting for a response. I tried to reinstall my Sonic but it said it was already installed. Tried to repair the program but it had to do it from the disk but it wouldn't recognize the disk when I inserted it. Vicious circle!

So now the drive won't read cds either. Um...sorry, but your drive may be dead. MAY. I am no expert. However, I had the same problem last month. First, I couldn't burn cds. Then, I couldn't read DVDs. Cds would occasionally read, but the response was sporatic. I had to send it to the shop to get a replacement drive.

You might try cleaning the lens of the drive first. If that doesn't work, then...sorry . Believe me, I've been there!