I googled this.. found this...
Subject: no disk detected
Question
I have a slimline toshiba sdr2312 dvd/cdrw drive and sometimes I will get a error [ no disk in drive ]. I had this problem with a lg drn8080b drive and it was a firm ware issue, but there isn't firm ware with xp. I have uninstalled the drive and reloaded the drivers and nothing works. What are the reasons a drive won't read a disk. I have powerdvd and the patch installed
Answer
Hi Chris, who's been pulling your leg? Of course there's firmware with XP! The firmware is the drive's internal software, built into the drive in ROM, without it the drive will not work at all.
There are many reasons why an optical drive will not recognise or read a disk, in order of likelihood some are, but not exclusively:-
1. Dirty or damaged disk.
2. Failed CD laser in the drive. (Includes dirty or damaged lens.)
3. Failed drive control electronics.
4. Software problem, including windows and or drivers.
5. Associated hardware problem. Cable, IDE port etc.
In your case, because the fault is intermittant, items 2 & 3 are very unlikely to be the culprit. Item 5 is only slightly more likely, and 4 is only a medium probability. Therefore the highest probability is a damaged or dirty disk.
However, you should be aware that it may be a combination of faults, favourite would be 1 & 2. The laser having degraded to where it will only use perfect disks, it doesn't then take much for a disk not to be recognised at all.