Conventional reproducing apparatuses used to perform incorrect detection or consume electricity considerably. According to the present invention, the comparator 61 comparing voltages at both ends of the spindle motor 15 and outputting the result is provided, and the control IC 12 judges whether or not the spindle motor 15 is rotating based on the output from the comparator 61. Based on this judgment, brake pulses are repeatedly supplied to the spindle motor 15 until the spindle motor 15 stops. Based on the number of times the brake pulses are supplied until the spindle motor 15 stops, the presence or absence of an optical disk in the disk drive is determined.