IMac not reading CDs/DVDs

I'm on an older (late 2009) iMac, just installed Maverick a few days ago, but the problem preceeds this. Basically, my computer will not read CDs or DVDs. Any disc I put into the computer, I hear the whirring noise as if it's reading the disc, but it immediately winds down. It will repeat trying to read the disc 2 or 3 more times, then just spit the disc out.
I tried spraying some compressed air into the slot, and it still won't read most CDs or DVDs, but now when I insert an MP3 CD that my boss had burned for me, the window pops up for when you insert a blank CD, so the drive is reading blank (or previously burned CDs AS blank), but not DVDs or normal CDs (for example, it spit out both a video game installation disc and a movie DVD).
I made sure that if i go to Finder > Preferences > General that "CDs, DVDs and iPods" is checked, and everything looks normal in System Preferences > CDs & DVDs.
Anyone have any ideas?

Another help source (if you haven't already done so).
Go to your OS Help Menu. In the search field type dvd
Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to your issue.
You can also do the same in Disk Utility. Open same up.
At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.
This will bring up the Help Menu.
===============
Try a different brand. Top forum favorites
CDs
FUJI
TDK
Verbatim
DVDs
Maxell
Verbatim
==============
Apple's Disc Burning Quick Assist
Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801 Apple Computers: Troubleshooting the slot-loading SuperDrive
*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

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{Personal Information Removed}
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Hi all,
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If the CDs & DVDs system preference panel can't be changed
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Maybe someone you know has a PC sitting around, between
crashes, that is hoping to save the day? Could be you need
to get some other software or maybe check the settings on
your CD & DVD system control preference, to see if there is
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MBP Optical Drive not reading cds or dvds + LaunchDaemons not in Library

Late 2008 MBP, 4gb, ram 2.66ghz, Mountain Lion 10.8.4
Hey this is my first time using this forum but I'm not computer illiterate so please don't waste my time!
My optical (disk) drive in my Late 2008 MBP is not reading dvds or cds.
I repaired disk permissions to no avail.
I had read another thread on this issue saying I could opene my library to see if i could find and delete com.WD.WDDDriveServices.plist. which I had seen had worked for others who had had a 1tb WD external drive and had had their disk drives stop working because of this. However, when I went into my library the LaunchDaemons folder which was supposed to contain this erroneous file LaunchDaemons was not even there! Is LaunchDaemons called something else on Mountain Lion or what? I went through all my plist files and could not locate com.WD.WDDDriveServices.plist. anywhere! It is my hope that if i can find and delete this file that I may be able to reboot and have a working disk drive again!
(note)
I could play DVDs but not CDs up until I upgraded to mountain lion 10.8.4, but after the mountian lion upgrade now even DVDs won't work.
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I am hoping can resolve the main issue at hand which is my optical drive, but also any help on locating LaunchDaemons would be appreciated.
(I know there has been a few threads on this topic, believe me I've practically read them all, for most repairing disk permissions worked, for others who had a wd 1tb external hard drive (like me) deleting com.WD.WDDDriveServices.plist. worked, but that isn't an option at this moment since i cant even find LaunchDaemons in my Library lol.
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Likely not. Your next step is a call to AppleCare or a visit to a repair center.

MY DVD drive does not read all DVDs and also does not burn CDS properly. Often while burning a CD i am prompted that " The machine is unable to caliberate teh required Lazer Power"

Hi i am having a i MAC which has mountain lion OS 10.8.2. I am facing teh followwing issues with my disk drive
1. I am unable to read all DVDS in it some DVDS work while others do not
2. I am able to read all CD's, but while burning a CD i am prompted with the following message
" Unable to caliberate lazer power"
3. Kindly assit me in solving this problem
regards

Hi
Four thoughts
• Brand and type of DVD/CD Media
• Burn Speed ?
• Ever used a Cleaning DVD ?
• Free space on Main Start-Up Hard Disk ?
Brand and type of DVD/CD Media: MATTERS
- Memorex, NoName and other Cheap brands - most probably works for other things BUT NOT FOR VIDEO.
I only use Verbatim
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I only use DVD-R
Burn Speed (in iDVD or alike): Matters
• Best or Max - is not best
I set it down to x2 or x4 Max
Ever used a Cleaning DVD ?
I use one WITHOUT Liquid but with brushes from time to time
Free space on Main Start-Up Hard Disk ?
- Due to that Mac OS X - is UNIX - it behaves likewise. It needs lot's of space on Boot / Start-Up Hard Disk for it's and the applications temp files.
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Yours Bengt W

IMac not reading CDs/DVDs

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