On my Dell Dimension 8200 running Windows XP service pack 2, I have an NEC 7900A internal CD-RW drive, as well as a Plextor PX-712UF DVD/CD RW Drive connected (via USB 2.0) externally. Both drives have been operating flawlessly up until today.

For some reason, whenever I now insert any CD or DVD into either of the associated drives, the discs are not recognized, but (for whatever reason) if I LAUNCH Windows Media Player 10 first, then the drives are able to recognize whatever CDs or DVDs I insert into the drive(s).

I'm pretty sure this problem MUST have something to do with my Windows Media Player configuration which has somehow taken over the CD/DVD drive recognition, as when I re-boot the computer, I have to re-launch Windows Media Player again before any discs are recognized by either of my two CD/DVD drives.

The only thing that I did recently with Windows Media Player earlier today was to re-direct the Midi Audio output in the Control Panel: "Sound & Audio Devices" out to my keyboard (Tyros) via my USB Midiman Midi controller box. I've since re-set the midi audio output back to plackback internally via my computer software synth.

I'm hoping one of the computer gurus here might be able to help me figure out how to get things working with my CD/DVD drives again so I don't have to keep launching Windows Media Player first before I'm able to access CD/DVD ROM data. Is there a specific Windows settings which controls this? Please help.

Thanks in advance.

Scott

try opening media player go to tools, options, file type. look for the checkbox next to music cd playback, dvd video uncheck the boxes. Maybe that would help.

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qqqwq@hotmail.com

Mike, thanks for responding with your suggestion. I did as you suggested, but unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem.

Ok gang, I'm begining to now think that this problem has nothing to do with Windows Media Player at all, but something do with Windows XP itself instead. Here's why:

If I leave a CD/DVD in either of the CD/DVD ROM drives on re-boot of my PC, the CD/DVD is recognized, mounted, and its data file contents both display & open fine. But if I THEN remove the CD/DVD from the CD/DVD player and replace it with ANOTHER CD/DVD (which indeed has verifiable data), my PC merely views it as a BLANK CD/DVD (no data). If I then subsequently eject that CD/DVD via the Windows XP drop down menu: (right-click CD/DVD device icon and then select "eject"), and then re-insert the CD/DVD back into the CD/DVD Rom Drive again, my PC now (finally) recognizes, mounts, and opens the contents of this CD/DVD just fine.


It appears to me that the problem I'm experiencing is that the CD/DVDs put into my computer's CD/DVD Rom drive initially aren't getting successfully "mounted" (recognized) by Windows XP. Only after ejecting them and reinserting the disc a second time are the CD/DVDs finally successfully "MOUNTED" & read by Windows.

The other method which somehow triggers Windows XP to finally 'mount' the inserted CD/DVD discs is by launching Windows Media Player and selecting the menu dropdown: Play> DVD,VCD, or CD Audio.

This makes me suspect that there is a glitch in my Windows XP software preventing the 'MOUNTING' of CD/DVD disc media when initially inserted. I only hope there is a setting change I can make in Windows XP to fix this.

I'm hoping that these recent observations I made will help lead to the solution to the problem. Synthzone friends, thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Scott

It is possible that an incorrect Device Driver was somehow installed for the CD-ROM device[s] Scott. That is why your CD-RW and DVD Drives may not be recognized, i.e. you can't access them in a normal fashion.

Scott, you've got to buckle down and trust me on this, okay?

Don't let your inexperience or trepidation keep you from 'experiencing' the "solution" to your problem. You have to get a grip and push those fears or insecurities aside.

This solution involves editing the Registry but if you follow the directions to the "Tee" you should once again be able to access you CDRW and or DVD Drive like you use to.

The decision is up to you..

Here we go Scott:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
4. On the File menu, click Export.
5. In the File name box, type savedkey, and then click Save.
6. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

Note If this data type is missing, go to Method 2.
7. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Method 2: (NOTE: Only use Method 2 if the data type that is mentioned in Method 1 is missing).

Method 2: Replace the existing driver
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. If Control Panel is in Category view, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

If Control Panel is in Classic view, double-click System.
3. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
4. Click the drive with the question mark next to it.
5. On the Action menu, click Uninstall. When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click OK.
6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 for any other drives with question marks.
7. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes.

This refers to Method 2: >> If Windows XP cannot locate the driver for your device, the device may not be supported by Windows XP. To see the list of supported devices, see the most recent Windows Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) at the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/default.asp

PS: Since you said your CD-RW and DVD Drive were working okay, i.e. you were able to access them up until today, you already know that your CD-ROM devices ARE supported by and compatible with Windows XP so Method 2 most likely won't be needed for the fix. Instead, Method 1 will most likely be the only Method you will use and need for the fix.

Best regards,
Mike

maybe you should run system restore to the day before the problem started.ive done it on my computer and it solved the problems i was having.
hope this helps.

Hi Scott.

I also think it´s the first thing to do.

Cheers
Armando

At least back up your registry first so you can restore it.....If you need to

KF

[This message has been edited by KFingers (edited 12-03-2004).]

Mike, I think you could be right here. After giving this more thought, I now recall that I first experienced the problem about a week and a half ago, after I had initially installed Adobe PhotoShop Elements 3.0. I had purchased the downloadable version from Adobe and backed the installer exe file on a CD.

After experiencing a problem with the program after the initial installation, Adobe advised me to deinstall it (add/remove programs) and then reinstall it again, by inserting the backup CD I had created (burned with Nero) earlier. When I initially inserted the CD, I remember it coming up BLANK and freaking out, because I clearly recalled burning the installer exe file to that disc earlier.

Mike, perhaps sometime around that time (Adobe Elements or Nero Update installation) a device driver(?) file may have gotten corrupted which is now preventing my PC from automatically recognizing & mounting newly inserted CDs. The strange thing about this though is that once the CD is ejected (via Windows menu) and reinserted, or if Windows Media Player or Nero is launched, Windows then decides to mount and recognize the CD.

Mike, your Registration Edit advice sounds pretty complicated for a someone like me (a musician rather than a computer expert) but I will consider doing what you suggested (abeit nervously), but for the sake of my sanity, I'll probably attempt performing a system restore first . The only problem is that I still need to determine WHICH system restore point/date to use.



GOOD idea.

Yes, I too have succesfully used system restore to resolve past problems.

I checked my computer's recent (last 2-3 weeks) restore points, and in addition to the daily system restore points automatically created by my PC, there were also a number of other restore points created 'prior to' and/or 'immediately following' new software program installs or existing program updaters. These include Nero 6, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, and iPod Updater software.

If I go back and reset the System Restore Point to the day before a new software installation or software updater, does that mean I have to reinstall all software apps & updaters made SINCE that time AGAIN?! Exactly what/which files are changed and deleted when a System Restore is made? Will I lose data & preference files created by app programs?

I really appreciate all the help and time you guys have given in helping me on this. Mikeathome, Keybplayer, Ygmusic, SD_Fan, KFingers, and Msutliff, MANY thanks for your valuable input. In the meantime, I'll keep you guys posted on developments.

Scott

Ok guys, I attempted several system restore points back to Nov 18th, and the problem still exists. When I attempt to restore to a date EARIER than the 18th, I get a message that reads: "Changes made to Drive(s) G after this point cannot be reversed because the drive was either excluded from System Restore monitoring, or was turned off or removed".

Here is the list of letter drives attached to my computer:

A: Internal Floppy Disk Drive
C: Internal Hard Drive (40 GB)
D: Internal Removeable Zip Drive
E: Internal CD-ROM Drive
G: External USB Plextor DVD/CD Drive
H: External USB Thumb Drive

Because 'drive G' is a removeable media CD/DVD burner, which doesn't include eraseable (changeable) data like the internal HD on the PC does, can I safely perform a system restore back to a point EARLIER than 11/18th?

I'm wondering if this message may be a clue to the problem. I somehow remember one of the drives being lettered 'F' at some time. Perhaps the computer's automatic drive letter 're-allocation' after a new removeable drive is added or removed, may be what lead to this problem?! What do you computer experts think?


Scott

Scott,
I'm not an expert in Windows, and I really don't have a clue for what's happening, but reallocating drives to other letters, avoiding the automatic allocation, is a painless task and may worth a try. Just go to "administrative tools" > Computer Management > and in Storage folder, click 'Disk Management'. Right-click a drive to modify the letter allocated for that drive. Good luck!
-- José.