Hi Beth,
Just to confirm, your cd player/burner does not read any data cd's as well? or is it just that it doesn't play audio cd's. Pop in an AOL coaster or similar and see if it can be read when you click on it. This may narrow down the TS process.
Im assuming that you rebooted after updating drivers, (which would also reload Norton because there are most likely entries in System Config Utility)To disable them in case you don't know how, Go into run, tpye msconfig click on start up and uncheck anything to do with Norton for the troubleshooting period. Try updating drivers again, and rebooting, maybe this sequence will do it. To check that nothing Norton is running, hit ctrl + alt + delete and make sure.
If not:
although this seems like a software prob,(don't understand when you said "it's not my software because it won't recognize or play cd's"- - -software is what makes the hardware work, no? ) maybe it's time to open the case and reseat both ends of the ide data cable and might as well reseat the power connector. Also, is this your only laser device ? Is it on a separate controller or sharing with the hard drive or other cdrom?
Unplug the computer and use ESD precautions, if you don't have a wrist strap, make sure you touch the metal frame before trying to disconnect the ide cable to neutralize any static buildup in your body. Sometimes the contacts get some oxidation on them and reseating will sometimes make a better connection. I know this seems coincidental with the Norton events, but it might be a cause.
