My disc drive

I bought some new software today and for some reason, the computer isn't installing it. I installed something yesterday and it was fine. The only thing I did today was download a program for my Ipod. When you put the disc in, the computer starts to process it but it doesn't come up on the screen to install it. It's not the software as I checked with some older software I had and that wouldn't work either.

Ideas???

Babs,

What are your computer specs (OS, RAM, etc) and what is the software?

I'm a bit rusty on Windoze but I'm pretty sure if your running XP or later you can roll-back the system using the System Restore function...

The System Restore feature is built into Windows XP and is used to return your computer to an earlier state if you have a system failure or other major problem with your computer. The point of System Restore is to restore your system to a workable state without you having to reinstall the operating system and lose your data files in the process.

System Restore takes snapshots of your computer system and saves them as restore points. These restore points mark configuration places to return to, in the event of a problem with your computer that might occur after you install an unstable device driver or an older application. Because the snapshots are taken automatically and are restored through the System Restore Wizard, System Restore is both effective and user-friendly.

Using System Restore

After you've decided to use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state, start the System Restore Wizard and follow the prompts. To use the System Restore Wizard, make sure you're logged on as an administrator, and then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.

3. On the Select a Restore Point page, select the date from the calendar that shows the point you'd like to restore to, as shown in Figure 2, and then click Next.

4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, verify that the correct restore point is chosen, and then close any open programs.

5. Click Next if you are ready to proceed or click Back to change the restore point.

6. The computer will shut down automatically and reboot. On reboot, you'll see the Restoration Complete page, and then click OK.

After reviewing the stability of your system, you can choose another restore point or undo this restoration. Just open System Restore and make the appropriate choice. After you use System Restore, you'll have an additional task, Undo my last restoration, on the System Restore Welcome page. Remember that you'll have to reinstall any programs that were installed after the restore point.

If System Restore doesn't work in Normal Mode, it might work in Safe Mode. To use System Restore in Safe Mode, press the F8 key during reboot and choose Safe Mode. When your computer starts in either Safe Mode or Normal Mode, System Restore can be used to capture a working previous state. System Restore can't be opened unless the system is bootable into one of these modes.

Thanks ND. I tried it and no luck. I have Windows Vista. The only thing that changed in the last day was that I downloaded the Ipod program onto my computer. Could that affect the disc drive on my computer?

Sorry, vista is a mystery to me, never seen it except from a distance. It is only likely to affect the software for the disc drive (the drivers), not the hardware.

A quick Google search reveals lots of problems with iTunes & Vista compatability affecting CD drives. I searched for "vista itunes cd install problem" - lots of info that may help (or may not...)

Good luck.

I tried the system restore again and this time it worked! Thanks ND, without your advice I would have called a computer guy to come to the house and paid at least $60. Drinks are on me 

$60 buys an awful lot of drinks in China - especially at the saloon!