CD-ROM Problem - Fixed!

[spekesoftly]

My Toshiba CD-ROM has stopped playing CDs. When I insert a CD the light comes on and the timer appears as normal. I can hear the drive spinning up and slowing down repeatedly, as if it is searching for but can't find the data. This happens with any CD. I have tried removing and replacing the CD-ROM using device manager, and reinstalling the drivers, both without success.

Can anyone suggest a solution please ?

[ 27 September 2001: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]

[What_does_this_button_do?]

from microsoft.com

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95
- Microsoft Windows 98
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SUMMARY
=======

This article describes how to disable the feature that allows CD-ROMs and audio
compact discs (CDs) to run automatically when you insert them in your CR-ROM
drive.

MORE INFORMATION
================

How to Disable the Feature That Allows CD-ROMs and Audio CDs to Run Automatically
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To disable the feature that allows CD-ROMs and audio CDs to run automatically:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click
System.

2. Double-click the CDROM branch on the Device Manager tab, and then
double-click the entry for your CD-ROM drive.

3. On the Settings tab, click to add the tick in the Auto Insert Notification check box.

4. Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart
your computer.

How to Disable Only the Feature That Allows Audio CDs to Run Automatically
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

If audio CDs do not play automatically when you use these steps, use the
following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click
System.

2. On the Device Manager tab, double-click CD-ROM, and then double-click the
entry for your CD-ROM.

3. On the Settings tab, click to select the Auto Insert Notification check box.

4. Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart
your computer.

Method 2:

Press and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the audio CD in your CD-ROM drive.

Notes
-----

- If you are trying to play an audio CD with Windows CD Player and you insert a
second audio CD in another CD-ROM drive, the first audio CD stops playing,
Windows CD Player restarts, and then Windows CD Player plays the second audio
CD that you inserted into your CD-ROM drive. This behavior occurs only if
both CD-ROM drives are using a Windows protected-mode driver and you have the
Auto Insert Notification feature enabled.

CD-ROMs that contain an Autorun.inf file are played automatically when you insert
them in your CD-ROM drive. The Cdvsd.vxd driver polls repeatedly to detect the
presence of a CD-ROM. When a CD-ROM is detected, Windows is notified that a new
volume is available and the drive is checked for an Autorun.inf file. If found,
programs that are listed on the open= line in the [AUTORUN] section are run.

If the volume is determined to be an audio CD, Windows performs the default
action, if any, that is associated with that file type. "Play" is the default
action for the audio CD file type.

Windows does not play CD-ROMs automatically if you are using only real-mode
CD-ROM drivers. Protected-mode drivers are required to play CD-ROMs
automatically when you insert them in your CD-ROM drive.

[ 26 September 2001: Message edited by: What_does_this_button_do? ]

[markbingo]

What_does_this_button_do is right in that it could be config on your OS.

It could also be as simple as dust in your drive. You can get CD-ROM cleaners in computer shops. They remove dust and particle build up on the laser lens.

Or you could try what I did once, open the CD tray, and blow ( with a dry mouth ! ) into the drive area a couple of times. Worked for me once :cool:

It could easily be a drive conflict on your OS though, Can you still see the D drive ( if thats your cd-rom mapping ) in Windows Explorer ?

Good luck

Bingo

[spekesoftly]

Thanks for the speedy replies, will work my way through your suggestions and let you know the result. Much appreciated. :)

[spannersatcx]

It could also be that it has failed and you need a new one.

[spekesoftly]

It must have been dust causing the problem, a quick spin with a new CD laser lens cleaner and all is well. :)

Thank you