I have been having weird problems with my CD-RW/DVD drive. I tried copying directories from one CD, and one folder wouldn't copy, but the others did. The reason was some kind of advanced error that I can't remember, but it was among the lines of "cycerllic" (sp?). Well, a few days later, I tried burning a CD - a blank CD-RW. It kept failing due to an unknown error. Another CD-RW worked OK, but I am trying to slipstream a XP SP-1 CD with SimpleSlipper and it paused about midway into copying the XP files from the CD, saying there was a read error. I then tried AutoStreamer, and it just stopped about midway through the installation process, doing nothing. I downloaded Nero CD-DVD Speed (a test utility) and it stopped about 1/4-way through testing the CD and said an unrecoverable error has occured. I am confused and unsure if it's my CD drive, because it seems too many CD's aren't working lately. But I did test the CD-ROM drive at HP's System Checkup site and it tested out OK. What should I do? Ideas? Thanks, -Andy

PS - the error code was 031100. -Andy

>> but it was among the lines of "cycerllic" (sp?). << Did is say CRC Error (Cyclic Redundancy Check)? If so it means that it not reading the data from the disk correctly. This could be either a bad batch of disks or a dirty laser in the CD drive. Get hold of a CD cleaning kit. This will clean the laser and may solve the problem. Stuart

StuartS- How do I check to see if it's a dirty laser? Is there a special tool that I can use to check my CD-ROM drive specifically? And, yes, it was a Cyclic Redundancy Error. I've got a feeling it may be the certain CD, but this is happening with quite a few CD's lately, so I'm suspicious. Thanks, and reply when you can! -Andy

You can buy CD drive cleaning kits like this. It consists of a special disk with brushes on it and some cleaning fluid. You insert in the CD drive and as it spins, it cleans the lenses of the laser. Stuart

Hmm...Hmmm...hey Stuart what about this that speaks unfavorably of that CD cleaning kit? i_XpUser

That article makes a good point but, Most people aren't comfortable taking their CD drives apart and cleaning the lens with the proper tools. This leaves little choice and since the drive is basicly in a non-functioning state anyway, what's the harm? Another option would be to take the disc to a friends computer and see if you can read the files.