Please can anyone answer my question! I`m using windows98. I currently have a cd rom drive that wont play any cd`s it sometimes works and sometimes doesn`t i hope its not a software problem, I think its the cd drive thats broke, but I`m resigned to that fact that i need a new one! My problem lies here. Do i buy a cd writer or a cheap cd drive, and how do i know that when i install it (thats a laugh) on my pc it won`t have the same problem of it not working because it might be a software problem?

any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Jon

Hi Jon,
when you say that it will not work all the time, do you mean that it does not always "auto-run"? What happens if, after you have put in a CD., and nothing happens, you right click on the drive symbol ? does it give you the drop down menu, or "this drive not ready."
You need to explore all avenues before you write it off, check connections ect. Is it full of dust ?
If you do have to replace it, don't worry, because as long as you have your Windows 98 CD, it will load the drivers automatically. and if it has broken, well think about replacing it with a CD/Rewriter, that way you are upgrading, and it won't hurt as much. you can buy a respectable one now for around the £60-00 - £70-00 mark.
Let us know how you go on, Cheers, --- Alan.

On first glance it does sound as if your drive is dying . The main thing to look for is whether it's detected consistently in 'My Computer' and Device Manager in Win98, and also if it's showing up in the BIOS at startup. Check to see if the IDE and power cables are loose if it isn't found - if they're OK and it still isn't appearing then it's a suitable case for the bin I'm afraid. If it is getting power and being detected OK, then it's most likely having problems reading discs (particularly if it spins up when you insert a disc and the activity/busy light flashes but nothing else happens or you get a 'Drive not ready' error). If you're lucky, it may be that the lens needs cleaning or there's dust in there (as Alan mentions), which can be sorted out with compressed air or a lens cleaning disc (that sorted a read problem with an old Plextor 32X drive I once owned). If not, the lens or laser pickup is bust and it's chequebook time.... As far as a replacement goes, there are plenty of bargains to be had. I'd go for a CDRW if I were you, unless you want to play DVDs on your system. A plain CD-ROM isn't really worth getting. Check the ads here for the best deals .

GM

BTW I forgot to mention that your problems aren't likely due to software issues - all CD-ROM drives (even SCSI ones) should be natively detected & supported by the OS, be it 95, 98 or 2000/XP, and no additional drivers need loading (unless your OS install has become corrupted - that would manifest itself in other areas though).

GM

Thank you to gmac67 and floandal for your replys!

I`ve checked all connections and cleaned the eye. Still doesn`t work, I can hear it spinning but it just doesn`t want to play, When I click on the d/drive icon it tells me d:\ is not accessible. Anyway I`ll take your advice and treat myself to a cd/rewriter.
(would you recommend a second-hand one?)

Thanks for your time.
Jon

Hi Jon,
sorry about your CDRom drive. --- No I don't think it is worth you buying s/hand, you may end up with a CD/RW in the same condition as your presend CDRom drive?
You can buy a good CD/RWriter now for £60-00 to £70-00. I recently bought a Phillips PCRW 1610K --- 16*write, - 10*rewrite, - 40*read, with "burnproof technology, and am very pleased with this budget priced, medium speed rewriter.
I bought it from the well established company, - Watford Engineering, and received the kit, only a couple of days after ordering on the web. Here is a link to their CD/RW page, ---

http://www.watford.co.uk/products/browse.asp?detail=CDRW&level=3&o=h

You even receive a video, - (on the CD,) showing a beginner how to fit and set up the CD/RW, --- (you would obviously have to watch it on someone elses PC.)

Good luck, --- Alan.

I agrre with F there. Some kit just isnt worth buying 2nd hand. Opticle drives also have a tendancy to ware out. I've got thru 3 CDrom drives in about 3-4 years. And as F says CDRW's are sooooo cheap at the mo.

if ur gonna chuck out that cdrom then ill give u the postage for it

ill strip it clean it and see if it works

if it does i may even consider sending it back to u for my postage back