My disc drive stopped working

[Marsha]

Hello,
I have a DVD R/RW, compact disc rewritable. I can play music cd's fine. I
can not install new games, etc. If the drive was bad would I be able to
play music cd's? Are these two seperate devices in the one slot?
Thanks,
Marsha

 

[Tim Meddick]

What has brought you to the conclusion that you cannot install games?

Is it that you cannot read a "data" cd (cd-rom) ?

What happens if you put a games disk in and click on the DVD's drive
letter in 'Windows Explorer' ?

If you can see files and folders on a data cd, then it's probably just
that your "Autorun" feature has been turned off.

Please re-post some more info to some of the questions above...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Tim Meddick]

If it is just the "Autorun" feature that's been turned off then, type
(or 'Copy and Paste') the following command into either the "Run" box on
your 'Start Menu' or a 'Command Prompt' (dos-box) window :


reg DELETE
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v
NoDriveTypeAutoRun /f


(The above command should be all on one line but may not appear so due
to line-wrap. Please ensure that the command begins with 'reg' and ends
with '/f')

....this should bring back the "Autorun" feature for all drives that will
use it, so that next time you put a cd-rom into the drive, the
'software' will start automatically.

*Note - Please exercise care when editing the registry, always create a
backup and / or create a 'System Restore' point first.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Marsha]

I just put in a new game disc and it installed correctly, everything normal.
So I put another new game disc in and it isn't installing. I can see it in
the drive in Windows Explorer. So does this mean the drive is working and I
have a problem elsewhere?

 

[Marsha]

Tim,
It seems to be working fine now. I just installed another game. It could
just be hanging for some reason. Anyway, as it is working I am going to
leave well enough alone. I have never gone into the registry and since I am
a novice at this I would rather stay away from that if possible. Thank you
for helping me. I appreciated it.
Marsha

 

[Paul]

Tim,
It seems to be working fine now. I just installed another game. It could
just be hanging for some reason. Anyway, as it is working I am going to
leave well enough alone. I have never gone into the registry and since I am
a novice at this I would rather stay away from that if possible. Thank you
for helping me. I appreciated it.
Marsha

Is it possible there might be copy protection on the game
disc you're trying to install ?

Take the title of the game and Google it, and see if there
is some kind of copy protection. Depending on the method,
it may be that the copy protection method is preventing
the normal usage of the product.

Paul

 

[Tim Meddick]

Marsha,
if CD-ROMs "Autostart" sometimes - and sometimes, it takes
a long time or gives up, then it is NOT the registry value to which I
indicated in my first reply.

"Autorun" is definitely turned ON.

The fact is that depending what system resources your PC has (RAM, CPU
speed, etc) and what it was currently engaged in doing when you put a
cd-rom into the drive, then it CAN take up to a couple of minutes for
the cd-rom application to actually come up on your screen.

This is the same for all of us using XP on PCs with average spec.

If CD-ROMs fail to start consistently in the future - AND you are to
fearful to handle registry solutions [hacks]

Then, if you download the official Microsoft TweakUI "powertoy" for XP -
this (small) program gives you an option to turn "AutoPlay"on or off for
any or all drives by giving you an A-Z list of drive-letters with
'check-boxes' next to each.

Download TweakUI.exe for XP from Microsoft :

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Marsha]

I have used Microsoft TweakUI "powertoy" for XP before with other things. I
will go get the download. You are right in the assumption that it is taking
a long time and then acting like it gives up. I don't know what is wrong
with it. It is back to not working again. I have checked everything I know
to check. I don't think it has anything to do with copy protection and
autoplay works correctly when the games do install. I tried to correct it
with Auto Fix from Microsoft, below is the log. Does this help?

AutoFix [V5.2.3790.67]
Time [2009-07-19 21:46:38]
Microsoft Windows Version [5.1 (Service Pack 3) <2600>]

Test [The Shell Hardware Detection service is running.] - Instance [N/A]:
Result [AutoStart Setting]: OK
Result [The Shell Hardware Detection service is running.]: OK

Test [Policies] - Instance [E:\, Drive Type: 5]:
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDrives]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDriveAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDriveTypeAutorun]: OK {Present}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDrives]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDriveAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDriveTypeAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [Driver level policies]: OK {
HKLM\...\Services\cdrom!Autorun (Present) <Allows>
HKLM\...\Services\cdrom\Parameters!Autorun (Absent) <Allows>
HKLM\System\CCS\Enum\...!AlwaysEnable (Absent) <Not set>
HKLM\System\CCS\Enum\...!AlwaysDisable (Absent) <Not set> }

Test [Drive Notification] - Instance [E:\, Drive Type: 5]:
Result [Legacy Notification]: OK
Result [AutoPlay V2 Notification]: Problems {
Service (Silent)
Shell (Deaf) }

Repair << [Autoplay V2 Event]

Step: No steps to take.
Result: This AutoPlay setting cannot be fixed. Either the device is
malfunctioning, or the wizard cannot determine the problem.

Marsha,
if CD-ROMs "Autostart" sometimes - and sometimes, it takes a
long time or gives up, then it is NOT the registry value to which I
indicated in my first reply.

"Autorun" is definitely turned ON.

The fact is that depending what system resources your PC has (RAM, CPU
speed, etc) and what it was currently engaged in doing when you put a
cd-rom into the drive, then it CAN take up to a couple of minutes for the
cd-rom application to actually come up on your screen.

This is the same for all of us using XP on PCs with average spec.

If CD-ROMs fail to start consistently in the future - AND you are to
fearful to handle registry solutions [hacks]

Then, if you download the official Microsoft TweakUI "powertoy" for XP -
this (small) program gives you an option to turn "AutoPlay"on or off for
any or all drives by giving you an A-Z list of drive-letters with
'check-boxes' next to each.

Download TweakUI.exe for XP from Microsoft :

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Tim,
It seems to be working fine now. I just installed another game. It
could just be hanging for some reason. Anyway, as it is working I am
going to leave well enough alone. I have never gone into the registry
and since I am a novice at this I would rather stay away from that if
possible. Thank you for helping me. I appreciated it.
Marsha

 

[Tim Meddick]

The Microsoft "Autofix" report states that :

Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDriveTypeAutorun]: OK {Present}


....which means that "AutoRun" IS switched off for some drives.


I don't want to frighten you but, it could just be that the drive is
failing.

First, make sure that Autoplay IS switched on for ALL drives by starting
TweakUI and going to the "My Computer" item (half-way down) and in the
"drives" item under it - make sure ALL drives have a 'checkmark' against
them.

Also, still under the "My Computer" item, under the "Types" item - make
sure BOTH 'checkboxes' are ticked (for both CD/DVD drives AND All
Removable drives).

Then, unhindered by any doubts over whether or not the "AutoPlay"
feature is functioning, you can check how long it takes for the drive to
be recognised.

If the drive IS failing and it "gives up" on trying to start
automatically on occasion, then there should also be a problem with
trying to "see" files and folders in the drive also.

If this happens, you should check this out by then starting Windows
Explorer and attempting to 'browse' the cd-rom.

After all, it's not the end of the world if it's a hardware problem. A
new DVD Re-Writer should only cost in the region of $40 - $60.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

I have used Microsoft TweakUI "powertoy" for XP before with other
things. I
will go get the download. You are right in the assumption that it is
taking
a long time and then acting like it gives up. I don't know what is
wrong
with it. It is back to not working again. I have checked everything
I know
to check. I don't think it has anything to do with copy protection
and
autoplay works correctly when the games do install. I tried to
correct it with Auto Fix from Microsoft, below is the log. Does this
help?

AutoFix [V5.2.3790.67]
Time [2009-07-19 21:46:38]
Microsoft Windows Version [5.1 (Service Pack 3) <2600>]

Test [The Shell Hardware Detection service is running.] - Instance
[N/A]:
Result [AutoStart Setting]: OK
Result [The Shell Hardware Detection service is running.]: OK

Test [Policies] - Instance [E:\, Drive Type: 5]:
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDrives]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDriveAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKCU\...\Policies!NoDriveTypeAutorun]: OK {Present}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDrives]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDriveAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [HKLM\...\Policies!NoDriveTypeAutorun]: OK {Absent}
Result [Driver level policies]: OK {
HKLM\...\Services\cdrom!Autorun (Present) <Allows>
HKLM\...\Services\cdrom\Parameters!Autorun (Absent) <Allows>
HKLM\System\CCS\Enum\...!AlwaysEnable (Absent) <Not set>
HKLM\System\CCS\Enum\...!AlwaysDisable (Absent) <Not set> }

Test [Drive Notification] - Instance [E:\, Drive Type: 5]:
Result [Legacy Notification]: OK
Result [AutoPlay V2 Notification]: Problems {
Service (Silent)
Shell (Deaf) }

Repair << [Autoplay V2 Event]

Step: No steps to take.
Result: This AutoPlay setting cannot be fixed. Either the device
is malfunctioning, or the wizard cannot determine the problem.

Marsha,
if CD-ROMs "Autostart" sometimes - and sometimes, it
takes a
long time or gives up, then it is NOT the registry value to which I
indicated in my first reply.

"Autorun" is definitely turned ON.

The fact is that depending what system resources your PC has (RAM,
CPU
speed, etc) and what it was currently engaged in doing when you put a
cd-rom into the drive, then it CAN take up to a couple of minutes for
the
cd-rom application to actually come up on your screen.

This is the same for all of us using XP on PCs with average spec.

If CD-ROMs fail to start consistently in the future - AND you are to
fearful to handle registry solutions [hacks]

Then, if you download the official Microsoft TweakUI "powertoy" for
XP -
this (small) program gives you an option to turn "AutoPlay"on or off
for
any or all drives by giving you an A-Z list of drive-letters with
'check-boxes' next to each.

Download TweakUI.exe for XP from Microsoft :

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Tim,
It seems to be working fine now. I just installed another game. It
could just be hanging for some reason. Anyway, as it is working I
am
going to leave well enough alone. I have never gone into the
registry
and since I am a novice at this I would rather stay away from that
if
possible. Thank you for helping me. I appreciated it.
Marsha

I just put in a new game disc and it installed correctly, everything
normal. So I put another new game disc in and it isn't installing.
I can
see it in the drive in Windows Explorer. So does this mean the
drive is
working and I have a problem elsewhere?

What has brought you to the conclusion that you cannot install
games?

Is it that you cannot read a "data" cd (cd-rom) ?

What happens if you put a games disk in and click on the DVD's
drive
letter in 'Windows Explorer' ?

If you can see files and folders on a data cd, then it's probably
just
that your "Autorun" feature has been turned off.

Please re-post some more info to some of the questions above...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.




Hello,
I have a DVD R/RW, compact disc rewritable. I can play music
cd's
fine. I can not install new games, etc. If the drive was bad
would I
be able to play music cd's? Are these two seperate devices in
the one
slot?
Thanks,
Marsha

 

[Marsha]

Thanks, I was thinking the disc drive was going out which is not a really
big problem. Like you said "cheap to replace". Thanks for all the help you
provided. I appreciated it.
Marsha

 

[Marsha]

I realized when I connected to the internet and inserted a program disc in
the drive, the install wizard would come up and install fine. After that I
disconnected from the internet and turned off my virus scanner, thinking my
virus program was possibly preventing installation. When it is turned off
my installs worked perfectly.
Marsha

 

[Tim Meddick]

Marsha,
Well - there you go - mystery solved, and all that - well
done.

It seems like it is indeed, your AV program that is temporarily
disabling the "AutoPlay" feature while the AV program is running.

I wouldn't be surprised, if you can be bothered sifting through the AV's
documentation, if there might just be some reference to this effect and,
perhaps, a setting or option to disable the disabling (of "AutoPlay",
that is).

But I'm glad that you [seem to] have pinned down the cause of the
annoyance.

You will have to keep a close eye on the feature, until you're 100%
sure...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Jose]

I realized when I connected to the internet and inserted a program disc in
the drive, the install wizard would come up and install fine.  After that I
disconnected from the internet and turned off my virus scanner, thinking my
virus program was possibly preventing installation.  When it is turned off
my installs worked perfectly.
Marsha

So, the solution to not being able to install your games is to turn
off your AV software?

 

[Marsha]

I realized when I connected to the internet and inserted a program disc in
the drive, the install wizard would come up and install fine. After that I
disconnected from the internet and turned off my virus scanner, thinking
my
virus program was possibly preventing installation. When it is turned off
my installs worked perfectly.
Marsha

So, the solution to not being able to install your games is to turn
off your AV software?

Yes, that was the solution to my problem. My grandkids are here playing the
games. I use to get a pop up from my Trend Micro asking to allow or not. I
am not getting it anymore so I feel like that is where the problem is. When
I have time to sift thru the Trend Micro settings I am going to try to find
it. Until then I am turning off the Trend Micro before installing any
games. I installed about 30 games last night with no problem. (Just in
case I was having a drive failure I wanted to be able to play my games!
LOL)
Marsha