DVD rom reads audio and CD ROMs but not most DVDs?

I have tried 10 different DVDs...it acts like there is no disc in the drive except for "Slingblade"...it plays.
The only difference I can see about the "Slingblade" DVD is it has an etched label instead of a paper one.
All the DVDs are region 1.

I'd try a cleaning disc before anything else.

chum try this little program called

"remote selector"

it enables dvd players to be region free. you did mention that you are having problems with region 1 dvd's but try this app anyways

http://www.remoteselector.com/download.htm

alot of people have used this to bypass security encryptions on dvd's to make legal backups of their movies.

i've used it with success. when you install the app. go through the tabs and enable "all region" and other options of the sort.

here's the homepage of remselec22 - http://www.remoteselector.com/
it shows what it does. you can use this as a piggy back program to burn a legal back up of you dvd movie. open this app. when your going to burn. personally i use anydvd cause its quicker but this app. will work to.

if you have any further questions let me know?

Tried the program, and a commercial CD lens cleaning disc...no help!

Should I take it apart and use alcohol and a Q-tip?

what program/media player are you using to view these movies? i use powerdvd.