CD-ROM help

I need someone to help me. My CD-rom always worked. So like I usually do,I put a game CD in and I played. Then I found an old game disc in pretty bad condition.I put it in. I tried installing the game but it took forever. So I thought the disc was crap so I canceled installation and took the CD out. Then I tried playing the game before that that I was JUST playing and it wont read that disc. It wont read any disc now and I dont think I hear it even trying to read the disc. If I try to go to my computer,the computer freezes,if I try to go to run and get to the D: drive,it freezes. I dont know what to do but I really want it to work again.PLEASE HELP.

 

I don't know why I feel the need to ask this, but I do. Have you done a hard (cold) boot?....Power off....wait 30 seconds....power on.

If so, try this: power down your pc - disconnect the power and IDE cable from the CD-ROM inside the computer - power up your pc - ensure everything works OK in Windows Explorer - power down your pc - plug the power and IDE cable back in - power up your pc and try again.

 

Alright,umm,I will try but I have no clue what an IDE cable is. I dont know jack when it comes to computers. That is why I am asking for help.

 

Open your case (when unplugged totally from mains) and then lay flat down on a table or any flat surface. Then EARTH yourself to a nearby Tap or draining board.This is to rid your body of any static electricity that may have built up inside you,At the rear of the CD rom you will see a Power connector which has Yellow/Black/Red wires, take that from the CD Rom, then you will see a 'Ribbon' which is about 2inches accross. disconnect that and remember which way the RED stripe is facing, toward you or away from you. Do as bubbles says and let us know how you got on... when you re-connect check the REd stripe is correctly placed and the Yellow wire is facing you on the power connector.

 

I am sorry but I am not going through all that trouble,I will just try the power down because I think it is something minor. I put a music CD in at one point and it worked. Then I put in a game and it dodnt work,I tried the music again but it didnt work this time.Thanks for the help anyway but it seems like it could be just a freak thing. I dont know anything about computers and can no way open one without breaking it.I was just referred here for help by someone.

 

Xtreme i understand that it sounds scarey when mention of opening up a computer case for someone who has not done this before, but in truth the hardware side of computing is easier than you think..

Plus you would be surprised the money you can save learning to change cables and drives memory and so on without needing a shop to do this for you. You could pay $50 just for a person to swap memory or add a card when in truth this takes 2 minutes from start to finish.

If you ever get the chance in the future to be offered on hands advice and lessons on this i would go for it if i were you.

But for now i do fully understand how you are nervous..I am sure in time you will become more confident and surprise youself.

Good luck with getting your problem sorted..

Here is what Toke was explaining looks like.
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-cd-dvd/install-cd-writer-fig-1-6.jpg

For further help on lessons here is a great site with excellent guides.
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/upgrade1.htm