Hi! This is the third CDROM drive that I install on this PC over the last 4 years, but the same problem keeps coming back. When I insert a CD in the drive and close the door (using the button), about half the times, the drive doesn't seem to "detect" that there is something inside. The CD doesn't start spinning and if I open the Windows "My Computer" box, the computer freezes or is locked for a long time (sometimes 2-3 minutes) before giving up on this drive.
Another problem is that sometimes, the drive doesn't want to eject the CD after it fails. The green light keeps flashing at a 1-second interval and the door refuses to open.
The rest of the times, the drive seems to work perfectly. The problem isn't related to any specific CD; it occurs equally with game CDs, application CDs, data CDs and even unformatted CDs.
This problem is very annoying and since it is my third drive in 4 years, there seems to be a failure pattern here. What could be wrong? Could this be related to the motherboard, to the power supply, to some obscure BIOS options, to the operating system, to an application conflict, to the wiring...?
On this Windows 2000 computer, I have the following applications potentially using the CDs or detecting them: Nero, InfraRecorder, InCD, Iomega Automatic Backup Pro, CDex, WinAmp. I used to have Easy CD Creator with DirectCD, but uninstalled it a long time ago.
Windows also runs a Intel Ultra-ATA Storage Driver, for the matter.
Start Free Trial
