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Computers 101

Q:
Lately, my CD ROM has been giving me problems. When I try to play a game, it seems to have a hard time reading the CD. You can hear it going fast, then slowing down, then speeding back up. Any ideas what could be causing this?

A:
You could have several different problems.

First off, if it only does it with one CD, you may want to check that CD for scratches. Maybe it's the CD itself and not the drive that's causing the problem.

If you find that it does this with all your CDs, you may need to clean your CD ROM drive. The best way to do this is to try to get a CD cleaning kit and run it in your drive. Now, keep in mind that most CD ROM cleaners aren't meant to be run in a computer, so you may run into a snag or two (ideally, find one that is meant for cleaning CD ROM drives, not just CD players).

If you are stuck with a regular CD player cleaner -

The biggest problem with a regular CD player cleaner in a CD ROM drive is that is just won't run. If you can't get the CD cleaner to run on its own, try using the CD Player program. You can get at it by clicking your Start button, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, CD Player. If it shows a track, try to play it.

If that doesn't get the CD ROM clean (or just doesn't work), you may need to use some canned air to blow the CD ROM drive out. Be careful with this one though. If you hold the can a at funny angle it may spray out some "gunk" that can really mess up the lens on your CD ROM's laser.

Another problem may be your CD ROM performance settings. Hold the ALT key down and double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. Click the Performance tab on the resulting screen, then the File System button. Now, under the CD ROM tab, try setting the "Supplemental cache size" up or down (probably the larger the better). You may also want to experiment with the "Optimize access pattern drop box".

Finally, there may be an internal problem either in the computer or the drive. The controller on the motherboard may have gone bad or maybe the ribbon cable needs replaced.

If you suspect that the drive itself is bad, you'll be out looking for a new drive since there's really no economical way to repair an internal problem with a CD ROM drive. Sorry.

Tip of the Day

Open Trick

Web Link - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/opentrick.htm

If you're like me, you like to make separate folders to keep your stuff in. Maybe one for pictures, one for documents, etc.

Well, if you find yourself hunting all over your hard drive to get from folder to folder, you can place a shortcut to the folders you use all the time on the desktop. Then, when you get to an Open dialog box, click the desktop icon (most dialog boxes have one - usually located next to the "location" drop box or along the side), then double-click the shortcut you created.

Just like that you're in the folder you wanted.

It's not real handy if you only have a few folders and they're all in the My Documents folder, but if you scatter your stuff around your hard drive or access sub-folders buried two or three levels deep, this can be a real time saver. This trick is also useful if you keep your stuff in the My Documents folder, but have a program that refuses to look there by default.

Anyhow, if you want to set this up, all you need to do is create a folder shortcut on your desktop. To do that, open Windows Explorer (right-click My Computer, Explore) and find the folder you want to use. Then, right-click the shortcut, select Send To, Desktop. It will create a shortcut for that folder on your desktop.

Now, try it by starting the program you use that folder with and clicking Open. Click the Desktop icon and then your new shortcut.

Poof!

You're in the folder.

Oh, of course, you can double-click this new Desktop folder shortcut from the Desktop and open the folder.

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Home Improvement

Need to do some home repairs? Not sure where to start? Check out today's site. They have information on just about any type of home repair or improvement you want to do.

http://www.todayshomeowner.com/

Do you have a cool site that you want to share? Send it to Amanda! Here's her address:

amanda@worldstart.com

Oh, and we're looking for non-commercial sites. We generally don't run sites that are strictly for shopping.