AutoRun CD causes system freeze

[rogerfixit]

AutoInsert is enabled. Audio Cd starts with no problem.
MS Office 2000 and Norton SystemWorks 2002 cds cause system to freeze - only recourse is to reset. Even CTL-ALT-DEL does nothing.
Disabling AutoInsert (or pressing Shift key on cd insertion) allows me to Explore CD and run Setup Program.
If I do My Computer and Click on the CD, it starts autorun and freezes. CD-Rom drive is fine (even swapped to be sure). Will Autorun the BlackIce CD. Tried ending all programs eccept Explorer and Systray - no better.
Really need to get to the bottom of this. Please do not answer -Disable auto insert.

 

[gargouille]

First, make sure you've turned off all TSR apps (like AV) when attempting to install anything.
If you are running Active Desktop, turn it off.
IF this is a recent problem, (within the last week or so) you can use the scanreg command to return the registry to a previous state...Start/Run/scanreg(space)/restore and you should be offered dates to roll back to.
There are several other repair options open to you...maybe more.
Start/Programs/Accesories/SystemTools/SystemInformation and in the resultant dialog box...the first entry under tools is Internet Explorer repair tool...run it.
I don't know why on some computers it doesn't work...but on some it does.
Windows Explorer and IE are so intertwined, problems with 1 of them are caused/related to problems with the other...
especially true with Win Explorer.
If that doesn't help, explore running SFC, System File Checker with the CD handy. This one is a double-edged sword as SFC calls a "changed" file (as in updated) a corrupt file and asks if you want to change it. Knowledge of what files have been updated is necessary...
Then there's always the repair install, writing the original CD over the files that are there. Some ppl use this regularly to ensure all files are not corrupt. Usually settings aren't changed and apps remain unaffected.
These are things I'd probably try...SFC is maybe the weakest of them...the overwrite would be the last choice...but may be the best...but you'll be left with an IE version that's on it...changing any "upgrading" you've done with it.

 

[rogerfixit]

Brand new Install of Win98SE on formatted drive. Have already done a reinstall - no change.

Here is an additional quirk- Put the Win98SE disc in drive- starts up fine and brings up menu screen. This is the Autorun part of it. Now, if I click on ANYTHING to continue, like 'Browse" or Video clips or any of the other options - system freezes. Have to assume that the autorun is not really the problem

 

[gargouille]

Please, no invective here, but your one line answer would have been a lot better placed in your first post.

Download memtest and check your memory.

http://www.memtest86.com/

What happens in safe mode?
If it doesn't happen in safe mode, reboot and run msconfig and disable everything in the start items and then reboot...and try it...if it doesn't happen you'll know you're getting closer...keep adding items until it starts again.

 

[rogerfixit]

Have already run Memtest. Also run WDDiag on hard disk.
Safe mode sounded like a good idea except unless the DOS drivers are installed for the CD-Rom drives, they are not recognized in Safe mode. They do not show up under 'My computer' and do nothing when CD is inserted.