Conduct tests before assuming CD-ROM drive is okay

By JOHN TORRO
Published January 9, 2006

Q. My granddaughter's computer (Windows XP Professional) stopped reading CDs/DVDs (Philips DVD+RW 8702). Two hours spent with Dell tech support determined that the drive was okay and that software support would cost $99. When a music CD or game is inserted, the green LED stays on for a few seconds trying to read it, then goes out. Eject works from the My Computer symbol, but Open and Explore to view the files do not. I have spent several hours on Dell's support Web site trying several recommendations, to no avail.

A. You say Dell tech support determined that the drive was okay. However, you also say that you cannot browse the CD content through Windows Explorer. My question would be: How did Dell tech support make its determination? Try going to a command prompt (Start, Run, enter CMD and click OK). Change drives to the CD-ROM (i.e. D:). Type DIR and press Enter to see if it can display the CD contents. Try changing into the different directories on the CD and repeat the DIR command. If not successful, then I would definitely say the CD-ROM has a problem (make sure you try this with several CDs). I also would open the computer and reseat the data cable connected to the back of the CD-ROM to make sure it is making a solid connection. A CD-ROM with a bad connection or bent pin will behave in the manner you described. It also is possible that the device drivers have become corrupt. Try removing the CD-ROM (from Device Manager: My Computer, Hardware, Device Manager) and then readd it by right-clicking at the computer level within Device Manager and selecting Scan for Changes. If nothing seems to work, then I would have to assume that the CD-ROM drive is defective.

Removing Web addresses, shortcuts can be tricky

Q. I am trying to remove or at least find out where address and desktop shortcut links are stored for Internet Explorer 6.0.2. After clearing History and performing AutoComplete on Web addresses, forms and user names and passwords for both forms and passwords, I still have a few Web addresses, desktop shortcuts links and even some IE favorites that display in the address field. I also used REGEDIT and removed all but the default from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLS. I also scanned the entire registry for any occurrence of the Web sites in question, but found nothing. Why do some addresses, shortcuts links and favorites continue to show up, and how can I remove them?

A. First, make sure your PC is free of viruses and spyware. The Web addresses may be getting added back automatically. Once you have confirmed the system's integrity, you may need to look at deleting the various INDEX.DAT files on your system. This can be tricky, because they are normally protected as "in use" system files while Windows is running. You would need to do this before running Windows booting into DOS mode. There are also some third-party software products that can do this automatically. You can read more about this at www.acesoft.net/delete_index.dat_files.htm

Explanation of background programs available on Web

Q. After hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del (Windows XP Home), a list of the background programs that are running will appear. How does one determine which of these can be deleted without affecting the startup or running operation of the computer?

A. We've written about this many times in this column. It is key to being able to run and manage your PC intelligently. Aside from doing the Ctrl-Alt-Del to show what's running right now, become familiar with MSCONFIG Start, Run, type MSCONFIG to examine both the Startup and Services tabs to see which processes are starting each time you start Windows. While it's not always intuitive or easy to determine friend from foe on your PC, there are resources you can use to help. Internet searches on the process names will return information that you can wade through to help you make a determination. Two sites that have specific information for many known process names are www.what-process.com and www.answersthatwork.com There also are third-party programs to help you keep watch and identify your processes such as UniBlues WinTask5 (www.liutilities.com) and TUT (www.answersthatwork.com) These are for-purchase applications, but their user interfaces are friendly, self-updating and could make the task much easier.