I know I probably asked this question a LONG time ago but I forget.....

This is an issue I frequently had with my XP: I want to install a game CD (Traitor's Gate 2 for instance). So I place CD in drive and autorun kicks in 9 times out of 10. However, the disc turns and turns... and turns some more. Then when I want to try to open it manually, Windows Explorer hangs on me and I get the "not responding" message.

Before doing all this, I have taken the precaution of disabling my antivirus program (at least I've learnt this much to date ).

Please help. thanks

Traitors Gate 2 uses an old version of StarForce which is incompatible with Vista and Windows 7. It's possible that's what's blocking your install.

Does this happen with every CD or DVD? There may be a problem with your DVD drive. The data cable could be loose or the drive itself may need cleaning or replacing.

I have an ongoing problem with reading DVD's in Vista on a Dell laptop. CD's aren't usually a problem, but I have to log out and log back in for a DVD to be properly recognized. Otherwise it sees an empty DVD and asks if I want to format it.

Not the case here. I am using windows 7 by the way. So I guess copying the contents of the CD to hard drive won't make a difference due to Star Force, eh? Incidentally, I've tried reading other music CDs and they run just fine, it's games I seem to have a problem with.

Music CD's are a completely different format, and they don't generally show files in Windows Explorer.
Are there other data CD's (not music) that you have problems with?

data CD's seem to work fine too.

Here's a question for you: If I use something like Virtual PC with XP to play my games, will games such as TG2 that have the old Starforce protection on them (as well as others) run correctly on that "partition"? If yes, where could I find an easy to use turorial (idiot proof? lol) on how to install and use virtual Pc?

Even without StarForce, Traitors Gate 2 wouldn't work in Virtual PC.
Traitors Gate 2 requires:

The emulated video card in Virtual PC is an ancient S3 Trio 32/64 PCI Super VGA (SVGA) card which does not meet this spec.

Well, I guess TG2 is going into "the forgetaboutit" pile then . Thanks Jenny

The latest version of VMware Player supports emulated 3D, and it’s not much more difficult than Virtual PC to get set up.

Download VMware Player

I appreciate the suggestion Inland but I'm sort of wary of companies who require personal info on me just to try out their software. Especially when require that ALL the fields be filled.

thanks anyway.

It's just a formality - I've never received anything more than upgrade notifications from them.

ok. guess I can try it anyway then.

Hi Inland,

I finally downloaded and installed VMware player on my PC. I later realised when attempting to install my XP Home Edition which came with my software bundle that for some reason the OS would not install. It kept telling me it was incompatible with my hardware.

Is that possible?

If you're using an XP Home disc that's made to work on a name brand PC, it probably won't be compatible because VMware isn't emulating a name brand PC.

i see. No workarounds I guess for fear of breaking about 50 licensing laws. And there's no way I'm paying a small fortune to buy a standalone XP at exorbitant prices (apparently they are a lot more expensive through microsoft now). So might as well forget about the whole thing. thanks again for the input.

You could get something like this
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190390761226

After activating it, back up the Virtual Machine. That way instead of having to reinstall and reactivate it (if you ever have a problem with it) you can just revert to the original activated installation.

thanks will have a look-see