I need a litlle help or suggestions.

First off I am very computer literate. I can build computers in my sleep but this one has me stumped. Every time I try to run a program, be it word, outlook, or just anything ,my computer tries to access my cd rom. These are programs that never did this and have no need to access the cd rom. I have run adaware several times and my virus scan program with updated definitions and found nothing. Everything else works fine but this is aggravating the you know what out of me. What is making all my programs look @ the cd rom? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sorry about that below is my cpu specs:

xp pro ed.
amd 2200 on a soyo dragon ultra platinum ed kt33. board. with via based chips
768 ddr 2600 ram
geoforce 4 ti 4600 graphics card
audigy gamer sound card
sony cdrw
plextor dvdrw
hds are: internal (2) 80 gb maxtors, (2) 80 gb seagates, (1) 40 gb wd. external are: (2) seagate 160 gb. drives connected via usb 2.0 adaptec pci usb card.