Strange problem reading CD's. 2

[clemolo]

Hello I cannot read CD's on my two drives anymore. When I put a cd a drive it's Icon animates ok and the light on drives flashes and it is obviously reading the disc but then I get a message that there is no disc in the drive. The problem applies to all kinds of discs not just CDR.
The drives work perfectly in safe mode also if I boot the computer with a disc in one of the drives then that particular drive will perform normal after that.
I have done the following so far:

re installed XP pro.
Uninstalled then re installed both drives and the IDE Atapi.
I uninstalled Nero and INCD software because I noticed I could examine the disc and read it's content with Nero burning rom's disc info facility.
I have de activated most running processes starting with the personal ones then system processes until windows became unstable.
The fact that it works in safe mode makes me think something is hogging the drive but I can't think what it might be.
Any ideas would greatly appreciated. Thanks Ray

 

[kestrel1]

Did you do a fresh install of Windows, IE did you format the hard drive & start again?
Have you checked your system for viruses?

 

[clemolo]

Thank you for input. Norton antivirus didn't find any problems.
I didn't do a clean install as I have so many programs to re install if I have to do a re format. So I am saving that chore as a last resort. I forgot to mention that I can write to the drive ok. I did a disk to disk copy. Clone CD couldn't do it as the message read " can't get exclusive access to burner. But I did do a copy using Nero which I have since re installed
Thanks once again

 

[okcomp]

you mentioned you have nero and also clone cd, sometimes this can cause conflict between the two when writing files to a disk, may want to stick with just one.

okcomp

 

[kestrel1]

I use Nero Burning ROM for all of my burning & have never had a problem with it.
I don't tend to use INCD, because when I have it has always caused a problem. I use Nero to burn onto CD-RW's & format them when I have finished with the contents or copied it to another source.
I think you may be getting to last resort status.
I know it is a pain. What you could do is use partition magic to resize your existing drive & install a fresh version of Windows on the new partition & set-up a dual boot system.
If you require any help with dual booting take a look at my website:

http://www.kcsdorset.co.uk

You can also contact me direct through my website.

 

[bcastner]

geez, Kestrel1,

I think the issue can be worked out without reinstalling.

I agree with you the issue likely is due to fights between burning programs.

There are a lot of folks here who know the ins-and-outs of the conflicts, I just do a FORCEASPI layer and often the problem sorts itself:

http://aspi.radified.com/

The process I would follow:

. remove all burning software
. ForceASPI
. Install and test each burning software one-by-one

You may find a complete incompatability issue; just un-install the last one that caused a problem. If you are using Windows XP, set a Restore Point prior to each installation, and use the System Restore facility after Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, to revert your Operating System.

Frankly, I have Nero, Clone CD, Alchohol, BlindWrite, and a few others installed without conflict.

ForceASPI first after removing your burner software. Add it back one at a time.

 

[clemolo]

Thanks a lot for your help guys. Just to clarify, I don't have any problems burning to the drives - only reading from them. I don't think there is a conflict between clone CD and Nero as the two have been happily running together for a long time. However I have recently updated Nero to the latest version but I did completely uninstall it without any affect on the problem.
I'll try the force aspi route first, but guess that will be tomorrow as it's almost two in the morning here in Perth Australia
Your help is greatly appreciated thanks Ray

 

[kestrel1]

Sometimes the answer is to re-install. I know it is drastic & it is always best to try other options first, but in the end if nothing else works then re-install.
Hopefully the suggestion by bcastner will work & save a re-install.

 

[clemolo]

Hello, Just an update. I uninstalled clone cd and nero and real player. then ran the force aspi. but the problem is still there. I disabled nearly everything in the start menu - one at a time with a reboot between each.
I might as you suggest have to do a fresh install but it would be nice to know what is causing the problem - it gives a real buzz if you can beat it.
It is obviously something starting when windows starts that is blocking access to the drives. The fact that they work if a disc is in the drive on bootup and also in safe mode points to something like that I think.
Once again thanks for your help. Ray

 

[kestrel1]

Have you tried the suggestion from bcastner?
If you have & it still won't work then a re-install looks like the only answer. I know what you mean about sorting problems out & the buzz, but if you can't beat it re-format it.

 

[clemolo]

Thanks Kestral1, Yes I did try the suggestions offered by bcastner. My drive is already partitioned so is not too much of a problem to reinstall a fresh copy of windows on a dual boot then copy data to the new partition. All I need is some time. In the meantime I can still use my drives as long as I have a disc in the tray when I boot. However should I manage to fix the problem before that happens, I will post the results here as I am sure others will find it interesting. Once again many thanks Ray

 

[bcastner]

Quote: "In the meantime I can still use my drives as long as I have a disc in the tray when I boot."

Hold on. You mean a disk in the CD Rom drives when you boot, or the OS CD in a CD Rom when you boot?

I am trying to save a reformat/clean install here, and you need to help us out.

If it is a CD Rom "only works when I boot with a disk in the drive" issue, use the Microsoft AutpPlay 'Autofix' utility:

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6900/rh6952.htm

If your computer only works with the Operating System CD in place, use Recovery Console and:

bootcfg /Repair
fixboot c:
exit

 

[clemolo]

Thanks bcastner. I mean any disk. Once I have booted a disk in drive it behaves normally from that point on and so does autoplay. It can be a DVD a CDrom or a purchased music CD or data CD. If I have a disk in both drives when I boot then both drives work normal from that point on. Also the drives work ok if I boot in safe mode. I'll download and run the autofix as you suggest. Thanks

 

[clemolo]

I have tried the autofix program and it can't find a problem with autoplay. I don't think autoplay is the problem anyway as if I had booted with a disk in drive as stated in last post then autoplay works fine from that point on.
When the drives are not working: when putting a disk in it appears to work ok. There is disk activity the little disc icon attaches itself to the curser, the green light on the drive itself illuminates and the disk spins as normal. then the message "no disc in drive" appears

 

[kestrel1]

Looking at it, you may be close the a total re-install. Unless you want to setup a dual boot system as I suggested on the 19th Jan.

 

[attrofy]

Have you done a "step through" on startup, to make sure that there is no incorrect settings in you .ini or .sys files? When the PC starts, press F8 like you are going to do a Safe Mode start, then select the option for for Normal start up with line by line authorization (sorry forgot the name, and don't feel like rebooting my PC to find out its terminology) but this should allow you to manually processe your startup files, and see if something jumps out at you somewhere along the line that is inhibiting normal use.

 

[jurgen36]

I do agree with Bcastner. It is usually, but not always a very bad practice to have two or more burner programs on the system. They sometimes tend to fight for resources and nobody gains. That the drives work normally after boot up if you have a cd inside tends to point that way. Before reinstalling the system try to uninstall all burner software, this alone, however might not help. You will have to go into the registry and find all references to the uninstalled software and remove the key's manually. This might take some time. Then reboot and install only the burner program you want to keep. This probably will fix the issue. Good luck.

Jurgen

 

[clemolo]

Problem is Fixed.
I don't know how but it fixed itself. A couple of days ago I put an audio CD in the drive and it opened up windows media and played the disc. since then I have used both drives several times without any problems.
Thank you all for your input. Just a thought though, most of your comments and suggestions pertained more to the burning of CD's rather than reading them. I never had a problem burning and could use Clone CD or Nero without a problem. It was only when I tried to play from a CD that I got the message " no CD in drive" (either drive)
So I guess we will never know what caused the problem.
Thanks Ray