My 5 yr old was playing the Candyland game on the computer. All was well. I left the room 5 minutes. When I returned the desktop screen was on the monitor...the cd holder was open and empty...and the 5 yr old was watching tv.
Now, the computer will not read/run a cd. It does everything else as usual but won't read/run a cd. The 5 yr old has selective amnesia about what happened. I'm putting her up for adoption but in the mean time can anyone offer speculation about where to start in determining what is broken?

The first thing I would do is look to see what he/she crammed into the CDR (ie. Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwitch, potato chip etc.)
 
HopeThisHelps,
 
-me-

You tried a reboot I assume? From the title I gather its NOT running Windows ME? If it is try a system restore. Do this by clicking
start>programs>accesories>system tools>system restore. Then follow the instructions on screen and set it back to before the problem occured.
If its NOT Windows ME then its a different story and a bit more troublesome.Here is a good place to start if its Win 98.This is copied from another site ver-batim.

The Windows 98 System File Checker scans all the system files searching for any that may have been modified or corrupted by a recently installed program. If it finds a problem file, it prompts you to restore the original file from the manufacturer's install disk. If you ignore the prompt, you'll be asked about it again the next time you run System File Checker.

: To run System File Checker:

: Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then point to Select System Tools.
: Click System Information.
: On the menu bar, click Tools.
: Click System File Checker.
: Choose either Scan for altered files or Extract one file from installation disk.
: If you choose to scan for altered files, Windows 98 will prompt you if it finds any corrupt or modified files. Follow the instructions on screen.

I hope this helps
jimi_l

if you have WIN.Me , try system restore first.failing that,
right click my comp..>>properties>>device manager>> click "+" next to CDrom and select your cd drive , click properties>>settings tab, see if you have autoplay enabled, if not put a check mark there, >>ok>>restart,yes. hope this works.

Had this happen with a system I built for someone. Kids were impatient with the speed of the CD eject mechanism, and jerked the tray out, pulling it a bit further than it should go. As a result, when CD's were inserted, they couldn't be read due to laser alignment problems. I was able to get it to bein reading MOST CD's again, but I'd suggest just watching for CD-ROM bargains (see quite a few at less than 20 bucks after rebates, etc)

i suspect more a mechanical failure of the cdrom, is the tray moving easily as usual?... i went through several of CRROMs at work bumping it wiht my knee... i would say that a new cdrom comes cheaper than an addoption...so keep the kid and change the cdrom....lol
Regards

Every day i see a post and it makes me think of a question......:)
CD-Rom drives? i never use the button to insert a CD. I always just touch the tray in the center so it will close. the reason i touch the center is because with audio cd players i learned years ago that if you touch the side instead of the middle it will slowly damage/warp the tray. What do you guys think? should i be pushing the button? Will it hurt it if i just touch it in? Thanks!

properly you should touch the button... but i am guilty of touching the try also... and kicking it too under my desk :(
i think that if you are touching the try carefully it will not do any harm...
Regards