our CD drive either doesn't read the disk, or when it does, the programs are messed up (with an audio cd, the songs skip terribly)
2007-02-14 06:59:15 · 6 answers · asked by toku_kuns 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Could be a couple different things...
If your drive is going bad it could certainly materialize as skipping or read errors
If you're on on older system however, you could be running into performance issues. Without a good run of maintenance every now and then you could have a lot of programs running and filling up your available ram. Particularly, if you picked up some spyware or trojan along the way. It wouldn't be much of an issue on a newer system but you didn't mention what you're running.
I'd start with a basic windows cleanup before anything else. Might even run the sfc.exe to do a system file check since it's always useful. After that, you could try cleaning out the drive. A simple shot of canned air will blow most of the dust out. In the end, if you got a bum drive it's not that big a deal to replace. I just picked up a dvd burner from bestbuy for around $30 so just a standard cd or dvd player is pretty cheap and easy fix
2007-02-14 07:09:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the drive is relatively new, it may have dust / dirt on the lens.
If you have a can of compressed air, open the drive tray by pressing the eject button and spray a short burst of air into the opening.
Be careful not to tip the can or hold it upside down, as this will spray water (mist).
If that doesn't resolve the problem, the drive is bad.
Keep in mind that CD-ROM (and DVD) drives have a laser in them and that light has an expected life-span. The laser will burn out after time. Even with minimal use, the drive will burn out after a long time in the computer.
2007-02-14 15:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's probably dirty. you need to buy one of those dry cd cleaners. it's basically just a cd but it has these tiny brushes on the bottom that cleans the lens in the drive.
my dvd player at home stopped reading dvds, but after i put the cd cleaner in it worked like new! the link below is an example. the one i use is Scotch brand and only takes 30 seconds to clean.
2007-02-14 15:03:55 · answer #3 · answered by stitchfan85 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your CD drive might be dying... how old is it?
The other issue you may have is spyware / viruses - they can mess with anything.
Antivirus - ClamWin - http://www.clamwin.com/
Anti-spyware - Spybot Search & Destroy - http://www.spybot.info/en/mirrors/index.html
Install these, run them, update them and scan your computer. Remove whatever they find.
If you find a problem (spyware / virus) you NEED to rethink your habits - I'm betting you use IE (Internet Explorer). This program is notorious for being insecure and letting sites install programs without even TELLING you.
Switch over to Firefox - http://getfirefox.com/
Just out of the "box", Firefox is faster, safer, easier to use and more up to date. It'll copy over your bookmarks and cookies, blocks pop-ups, tells you about phishing (sites trying to get your sign-in info so they can steal your accounts)
If you add the option of add-ons (they're all free), Firefox is one of the most powerful programs you can use.
Adblock Plus - blocks ads. Image ads, flash ads, iframe ads.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1865/
Adblock Plus: Element Hiding Helper - lets you choose what to get rid of in pages. I use it to block text ads in Yahoo Mail and other places.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/4364/
CookieSafe - Blocks cookies until you tell it that the site's allowed. Increases your privacy and security.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2497/
NoScript - Blocks JavaScripts until you tell it that the site's allowed. Increases your privacy and security.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/722/
Ajax Yahoo Mail - This allows you to open more than one e-mail on a page. One click reply... it's great!
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1127/
And there are lots more!
2007-02-14 15:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by AmandaKerik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The drive may need to be cleaned or serviced. You can check to see if the ata cable is properly attached to the drive, for it may have come loose.
2007-02-14 15:04:58 · answer #5 · answered by brentonbiggs 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check with another Drive if it does the same thing, you'll need to redo windows. If not, you need a new drive
2007-02-14 15:03:07 · answer #6 · answered by zeonic_ace 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋