Ok here is how it goes , I go to install a game and then it comes up with an autorun problem so I need to close it , then I get another error and next I notice that my D drive is missing (CD drive) , I try and restarting and the computer will not get past the first screen saying something like "S.M.A.R.T is disabled" , now im really freaked out so I turn off the computer . Everything is back to normal now (although I havent tried out my CD drive yet and I looked into the event log and got these: The device, \Device\Ide\IdePort1, did not respond within the timeout period. (got 13 of these errors) An error was detected on device \Device\CdRom0 during a paging operation. (got 14 of these errors) The device, \Device\CdRom0, has a bad block. (1 time) The device 'HL-DT-ST CD-ROM GCR-8521B' (IDE\CdRomHL-DT-ST_CD-ROM_GCR-8521B_______________1.02____\5&2dfcc752&0&0.0.0) disappeared from the system without first being prepared for removal. (1 time) Now im not a computer expert so could someone please help me by telling me what these error messages mean and was it just a once off or does something need to be fixed? Thanks

Obviously, the game wants you to turn on the SMART detector in BIOS. SMART is a BIOS program which checks hard disks for the probability of failure. Not all devices are SMART capable. You may have a hard disk which is NOT SMART capable. But check your BIOS, go in there, and turn ON SMART Detection. Reboot the computer and SMART will start as part of the bootup process...IF, your BIOS has SMART detection and IF your hard disk is SMART capable.

I find if an older game or program cannot be installed by way of its CD, then use "Program Compatibility Wizard" to install it. If a game is installed by doing the above, but will not start by way of the CD, then when inserting the CD hold down the left Shift key for approx. 15 sec. to keep AutoRun from taking over. Now click the game in the "All Programs" list. Should start now. --------------- From a Microsoft web page: If an older application gives you trouble when running Windows XP, you can set the compatibility properties manually so that the program runs in a different mode, such as Windows 95, or in a different display or resolution setting. To set the compatibility properties for a program: 1. Right-click the executable or the program shortcut to the executable, and then click Properties. 2. Select the Run this program in compatibility mode check box. 3. From the list, select an operating system that the program runs in comfortably. 4. If necessary, also change the display settings and/or resolution, or disable the Windows XP visual themes. Run the program again when you?re finished changing the settings. Adjust the compatibility settings again if the program is still not running smoothly: a program that's unhappy on Windows 2000 may flourish on Windows 98. --------------------- How to Troubleshoot Program Compatibility Issues in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;285909