Is there aregistry fix that can tell the computer not to access the CD-ROM drive unless it is clicked.

I don't believe you will find any type of registry fix for this.  This is usually all done in the hardware itself.  I could only recommend that you check the manufacturers website to see if they offer a firmware update.

Does this help ?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/155217

PS.  Take a look at what Operating Systems that link applies to.  If it doesn't work for you, post what OS you are using here or Google the same solution for your particular OS.

Hope it helps.

What about to simply take out the CD?

Nevertheless, the CD should spin down if not in use. But I think this is more a question of power management than on a registry hack. So an idea may be to have a look at the manufacturer side to find out, if there is an issue. My be a BIOS update aor driver update.

Also have a look into the BIOS if you can change something there.

Will try the registry hack because I've had other information that says that it would work.

I do not wish to remove a CD from the drive because I connect via VPN to my work machine and need the shared CD/DVD drive on that machine to install software or other files, and I would not be able to physically put a disk in the drive or to close the door.

As to hardware problems and drivers, I have a brand new Dell e6500, and also a D630 (several) and they all do the same thing.  I doubt that it is a driver problem, but will pursue that if the registry fix does not help.

Thank you.

I guess it will not. This key is simply to avoid accessing the autostart file on a cd. If you put an autorun.inf onto the CD, windows follows the link in this file, i.e. to automatically run a setup or show a html page.

This functionality also need the spin up of a drive, otherwise it would not be able to read the files.
But try it.

The spin off times are usually setup within the BIOS of the drive. Maybe, if you can find out the manufacturer, that you can get tools to change it, if changable. I have such tools for my plextor drives.

Unfortunately, MS's registry fix doesn't help.

The problem occurs on both XPsp3 and Vista Business SP1 (on the Dell e6500 laptop), but NOT on Vista Business SP1 on my Dell Dimension 9200.

A.

Come on.  
This should not be solved within the system BIOS and it doesn't depend on whether or not there is an autorun directive on the particular CD.  
Windows, the operating system, decides whether or not to access the CD drive when it gets a signal that a new disk has been loaded.  By telling Windows not to access the drive automatically you will solve your immediate problem.

All 97WideGlide's comments were simply expressed, clear and intelligible, and his solution worked!

Why do I keep getting email notices about this, when I have accepted and closed it.

Thank you.