Is My CD-ROM Drive Dying?

[Rl'Halsinor]

I have had my 48x CD-ROM for about 5+ years. Lately it just doesn't seem to want to read CDs, especially when I want to install and play games. Often it takes me a long time for me to even play a game as I have constantly load it in the tray and then eject and reload until the game "catches." I just purchased Command&Conquer Generals and even trying the D:\autorun.exe under the Run program I keep getting "Please put disk in CD-ROM." It is in there. This isn't an isolated incident. It happens with Red Alert 2, Yuri's Revenge and the Medal of Honor series as well.

1. My OS is Windows XP

2. My harddrive is defragged.

3. I just recently cleaned my CD-ROM lens.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Psionicist]

5 years old, most CD-drives die earlier than that! A CD-ROM-drive goes for less than $20 though and it's very easy to replace even if you have never opened your computer case before, so it's fixable.

 

[Arbiter of Wyrms]

I have had my 48x CD-ROM for about 5+ years.

Strictly speaking, you aren't supposed to apply the lich template to constructs.

 

[KenM]

You might want to try to update the firmware for the CD ROM Drive. Not sure if it will fix it though.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

You might want to try to update the firmware for the CD ROM Drive. Not sure if it will fix it though.

I am not even sure how to go about doing that nor what site to look for. KenM, is this a long time to have a CD-ROM drive as Psionicist indicates? By the way, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[KenM]

If you bought your computer, go to the makers website, there should be links to your model specs, then you find out what make/ model CD rom you have. There should be a link on thats site to update the firmware.

 

[Psionicist]

That's not rational, the firmware worked before, it will not magically corrupt itself after five years. If the drive had reading problems from day one upgrading the firmware would be reasonable. Now it's not.

 

[reveal]

In my 12 years of fixing computers (professionally and personally), I can honestly say I have never upgraded the firmware on a CD-ROM drive. They usually work or they don't, usually because of a mechanical error. 5 years is a long time for any piece of hardware that is used regularly to last.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

Appreciate all the help (except perhaps for the Lich and the template "suggestion" ). I think I'll go ahead and buy a new one. Thanks.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

That's not rational, the firmware worked before, it will not magically corrupt itself after five years. If the drive had reading problems from day one upgrading the firmware would be reasonable. Now it's not.

I agree totally. Replace the drive. You might want to take the opportunity to upgrade to a unit capable of reading a DVD.