making a CD drive read DVDs

[auto78900]

You know how some old pcs can only read CDs ? well is it possible if you
change the software settings to enable it to read DVDs as well ?
and if so how ?

[MilesAhead]

You need a different laser. That's why they called that HiDef DVD stuff BluRay.. cuz the laser uses a shorter wavelength. You can read a CD with a DVD reader but not the other way around. Kind of like how you used to be able to read 360k 5 1/4" floppy disks in a 1.2 MB floppy drive, but not the other way around.

[mandyaz]

Would be the same red laser but different wavelength, anyway dvd drives are cheap

[gadgetman2]

Yeah you need a new drive - what you are trying is just not possible.