CD drives will not clear betw disks

[tenaynet]

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 with Windows ME as OS.

Once I've inserted a CD into either of my drives, the computer will not read another Cd unless I restart the computer.
Sometimes when I try to restart, it requests for a certain CD to be put into the drive (bluescreen) and then I have to hard boot or use CNTRL/ALT/DEL to restart.

Any clues? Please and thanks!

[hypnotizeminds]

tenaynet, welcome to CTH. :)

Have you tried uninstalling the drive and rebooting?

If Windows doesn't automatically install the drive, install new drivers manually.

Does the problem persist then?

[tenaynet]

Thanks, Hypnotized!

I'm wondering...do I use the Device Manager and the Remove option there to uninstall the drive? Or, is there another way?
And, then do I just reboot the computer and let it automatically reinstall?
Not meaning to be irritating, just want to be sure I understand what I'm doing.
Also, my first CD-ROM drive died just now. First, wouldn't close and now won't open--was always a problem that way anyhow.. GRRrrr
Should I wait to do all of this until after I've replaced it?

Thanks Again! - Ten

[hypnotizeminds]

do I use the Device Manager and the Remove option there to uninstall the drive? Or, is there another way?
Right-click the device in Device Manager and choose Uninstall from the list. Reboot like normal. If it does not automatically reinstall, run the Add New Hardware wizard.

Not meaning to be irritating, just want to be sure I understand what I'm doing.
You're not being irritating. We are here to help. :)

Also, my first CD-ROM drive died just now. First, wouldn't close and now won't open--was always a problem that way anyhow.. GRRrrr
Should I wait to do all of this until after I've replaced it?
IF you are going to replace it, you might want to check all of the connections inside the computer first. Check to see that the power cable and ribbon cables are tightly connected. You may want to disconnect them and be sure that the connections are clean, reconnect them and power on. You should try reinstalling drivers for all faulty devices before replacing as well, using the Device Manager.

[tenaynet]

Thanks so very much!! You're great!!

It worked perfectly!

Here's exactly what I did, in case anyone else needs this information to uninstall and reinstall disk drives.

Click on START, Settings, Control Panel
Double Click the System Icon
Select the Device Manager Tab
In the list click once on the plus (+) sign next to "CD-ROM" and your drives will be listed as plain CD-Rom or Rewrite or whatever.
Right click on the one(s) you wish to uninstall. In my Windows ME the option said "remove" not "uninstall"
It will prompt you, asking if you are sure you want to do this. Click YES.

I uninstalled BOTH my drives at one time.
Then, shutdown the computer for a couple minutes.
Restart and the drivers load automatically -- Windows reinstalls them for you.

Thanks so Much Again, Hypnotizeminds! You're a doll!!!http://cybertechhelp.com/forums/images/smilies/kiss.gif

[hypnotizeminds]

Very happy to help, tenaynet. :)