[RESOLVED] CR Rom will not run software programs

[Edna Yates]

I have Windows 95. When I try to run a CD software program it tells me to insert disk. It is inserted and the green light is on. I have shut my computer off and then on again and it still won't work. I have tried other Cds and they won't wrok either. I cannot view the Cd because I can not find the CD directory in Exploer. This maybe due to the fact that I don't know what I am doing,I am new at this so if you can help, please give me step by step instructions. I used my CD Rom to run this software program a couple of weeks ago and all was fine then. I have sence then uninstalled a downloaded program. Checked my recycle bin and that program is in there but nothing else. I tried to reinstall Windows 95 and can't reinstall. I can't find the file to install and it doesn't automacticly do it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[schultzz]

Have you recently moved your computer? Perhaps the cable that attaches the CD-ROM drive to the computer has worked loose. (If it is attached to an add-on card, the card may also have worked loose from the motherboard and may need to be pushed back in). If you don't mind opening the case, start by turning your computer off and disconnect the power cord. Open the case - usually several screws on the back, but can be many, many other ways (check your user's manual, if you have one). Once the case is open, ground yourself to the case (touch the power supply, e.g.) - DO NOT touch any of the components inside before doing this. Now, check to make sure you cables (add-on cards) are tight - push on the ends to make sure - and won't easily come out. Replace the cover, plug in the power cord, and test the CD-ROM drive again.

If this doesn't solve the problem, you may have a corrupt driver or inadvertently deleted files necessary to run the CD-ROM drive. You should run Scandisk from Windows 95 and check to make sure everything is OK on your hard drive. If so, reinstall the DOS drivers for your system...usually they come on a floppy drive. If you don't have the drivers, you can find universal IDE drivers on WinDrivers site that may work.

Let us know if this helps...this is a tough one to solve without working with the actual unit.