OT: CD ROM Problem

Cipher7071 · #1 January 19th, 2008, 03:48 PM

I almost hate to ask this after reading about Renegade's problem, but here goes...

I have an IBM Aptiva running Windows 98 (yes it's 9 years old). But, there was space for a second hard drive so I had one installed (Seagate) with the idea of running Knoppix Linux on it. I downloded that, and replaced my CD ROM drive with a CD-RW. Then I got a little freeware utility to burn the iso to CD. That disk works fine, and I can launch Knoppix from the CD. (I want to do "poor man's install" but I need more RAM).

So, the problem is that the CD I burned using the new drive is the only one that will work any more. My music and game CDs now cause the computer to freeze. I won't go into detail, but I've tried several things and still have no idea what's wrong. Do any of you techies out there have a clue why this could be?

Suicide Junkie · #2 January 19th, 2008, 05:38 PM

Try removing the CD drive from control panel->system->hardware, and let windows reinstall the drivers.

Cipher7071 · #3 January 20th, 2008, 02:40 AM

I had already tried switching back to the old driver with no luck, but tried your suggestion anyway, with the same result. I removed the device and restarted. After system restart, it's automatically reinstalled (with no auto-detect message...hmmm), but still no luck. Windows 98 still happily insists that the device is working properly... only it's not. My "Bad Company" CD still causes Media Player to freeze. I considered the posibility that Media Player was foo-barred, but an upgrade there didn't change anything either.

Suicide Junkie · #4 January 20th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Have you got room to put both CD drives in, so you can see if it is hardware or software?

Cipher7071 · #5 January 20th, 2008, 12:50 PM

No. The second hard drive got the slot. But I do plan to take the computer in to have some RAM added. They might be willing to do an experiment for me, considering I bought both drives from them. The CD drive is a Sony, which should be a reputable company. Maybe I'll do that Monday.

Suicide Junkie · #6 January 20th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Er, I would hardly call Sony reputable anymore.

Their hardware should be reasonably good, but there's been so many stories about them injecting malware, rootkits and assorted nastiness in the last few years, that using it is risky.