OT: CD ROM Problem

[Cipher7071]

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]

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

[Cipher7071]

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]

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

[Cipher7071]

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]

Er, I would hardly call Sony reputable anymore.

Their hardware should be reasonably good, but there's been so many stories (http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=sony+malware&btnG=Google+Search&met a=) about them injecting malware, rootkits and assorted nastiness in the last few years, that using it is risky.

[Cipher7071]

Yikes!!