How to Troubleshoot CD-ROM Read Errors

ID: q218617

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

This article describes how you can troubleshoot CD-ROM read errors. You may encounter CD-ROM read errors when you attempt to install or start a program, when you switch discs while using programs with multiple discs, or when a program attempts to read data from another area on the disc.


MORE INFORMATION

To troubleshoot CD-ROM read errors, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Inspect the CD-ROM

Inspect the CD-ROM for visible deformation or scratches. If the disc is damaged, contact Microsoft Sales at 800-360-7561 to obtain a replacement CD-ROM.

If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method.

Clean the CD-ROM

Clean the CD-ROM. To do this, use a CD-ROM cleaning kit, or gently wipe the silver side of the CD-ROM with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth. Do not use paper cloth which can scratch the plastic and leave streaks. When you clean the CD-ROM, wipe from the center of the disc outward; do not use a circular motion.

If the disc still does not perform properly, clean the disc with a damp cloth using water or a commercial CD cleaning solution. Dry the disc thoroughly and then test the disc again.

If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method.

Make Sure You Are Using Protected Mode CD-ROM Drivers

Make sure you are using protected mode (32-bit) drivers for your CD-ROM drive. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click System.


  3. Click the Performance tab, and then confirm that the File System entry is 32-bit. If the File System entry is Some drives are using MS-DOS compatibility, you may be using real mode (16-bit) CD-ROM drivers. If this is the case, you may not be able to read certain files on the compact disc.

    Contact the manufacturer of your CD-ROM drive to obtain an updated, protected mode driver for your CD-ROM drive.


  4. Click OK, and then close Control Panel.


If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method.

Reduce CD-ROM Drive Caching

To reduce CD-ROM drive caching, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click System.


  3. On the Performance tab, click File System.


  4. On the CD-ROM tab, move the Supplemental Cache Size slider to the Small position.


  5. In the Optimize Access Pattern For box, click No Read-Ahead.


  6. Click OK, and then click Close.


  7. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.


If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method.

Disable Auto-Insert Notification

To disable Auto-Insert Notificaton, follow these steps:

NOTE: If you disable Auto-Insert Notification, your programs can no longer start automatically.

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. In Control Panel, double-click System.


  3. On the Device Manager tab, click the PLUS SIGN (+) next to CDROM to expand the branch.


  4. Click your CD-ROM drive, and then click Properties.


  5. On the Settings tab, click to clear the Auto Insert Notification check box.


  6. Click OK, and then click OK again.


  7. Close Control Panel, and then restart the computer.


Remove Duplicate CD-ROM Drives

Remove any duplicate CD-ROM drives being loaded by Windows. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click System.


  3. On the Device Manager tab, click View Devices By Type.


  4. Double-click the CDROM branch to expand it.


  5. Note the properties for each device listed in the branch. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Click a device, and then click Properties.


    2. Click each tab in the device properties dialog box, and then record the device information and settings.


    3. Click OK.




  6. Click OK, and then close Control Panel.


  7. Restart Windows in Safe mode. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Microsoft Windows.

    Windows 95

    Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, and then select Safe Mode on the Startup menu.

    Windows 98

    Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key when your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then select Safe Mode on the Startup menu.


  8. When Windows starts in Safe mode, click OK.


  9. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  10. Double-click System.


  11. On the Device Manager tab, click View Devices By Type.


  12. Double-click the CDROM branch to expand it.


  13. Verify that there are no changes in the list of devices in the branch. If you see a device that is not in the list of devices you noted in step 5, click the new device, and then click Remove. Repeat this step for each device in the branch that is not in the list of devices you noted in step 5.

    NOTE: If you see new copies of a device that is in the list of devices you noted in step 5, check the properties of each copy of the device. If the properties for the device match the properties you recorded, keep the device. If the properties for the device do not match the properties you recorded, remove the device.


  14. Click OK.


  15. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click OK.


Additional query words: compact disc disk cannot cdr101 warped dirty 


Keywords          : kbenv kbhw kbimu 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: June 7, 1999