I am unable to play CD audio discs although reading data is fine. Using the Media Player I can see the tracks on the CD and the length of each one but when play is selected I get the 'data or disc not loaded' message. Having searched the Microsoft support I followed the suggestion to remove and re-install the MCI driver but this has no effect. I have checked and replaced my CD to soundcard connector lead. I have also replaced my old CD ( Mitsumi ) with a new CD read / Writer ( ricoh 20/4/4 ) but I still have the same problem. Grateful for any suggestions? Spec : Gateway P2 -233 Soundcard : Soundblaster Live Windows 95 4.00 950B

Make sure the recorder is listed in Device Manager with no conflicts. There should not be conflicts under Hard Disk Controllers. While in Device Manager, highlight your recorder, click on Properties, choose Settings and in this section only Disconnect should be checked. Do this same procedure if you have a CDROM on the system. There should not be any lines in autoexe.bat or config.sys referencing the recorder or any CD-ROM. If you have bus mastering or Ultra DMA active on the port the recorder is connected to, you will need to remove this feature, This is a known problem with IDE recorders. Good Luck!

that being said, your real problem is this: The narrow audio cable that plugs into your cdrom and sound card is either unplugged or it's bad. open the cover and look for a thin cable that connects your cdrom and sound card. check to make sure it is plugged in to the cdrom. if it is, then make sure it is plugged into the correct input on the sound card (some sound cards have more than one.) if it's plugged in correctly, then replace the cable. make sure you bring in the old one for a proper match up! you should now be jamming and playing that funky music, white boy!