autostart not working

[shelley]

I've had this problem for a while now so I can't put my finger on exactly when it happened.

I have a Super Writemaster DCD-RAM drive (driver up to date). Neither cd's or dvd's start automatically.

I've followed instructions from Microsoft Support - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330135 - no change.

I've downloaded and run AutoFix.exe (see mail - http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/665926-autostart-not-working-anymore.html). I get the message - "this type of drive does not support AutoPlay settings"! So, no joy there.

Any advice which may fix this would be much appreciated.

 

[Phantom010]

Can you still run or open applications from CDs manually without AutoPlay?

 

[shelley]

Simple answer - yes.

 

[VictoriaiiCe]

Apparently you're not the only one with that issue I just looked into it. I'm looking to see if there was any solutions with the specific drive. If your auto-play is are enabled for all external drives and you can see the CD's contents on your computer I suggest you try Auto Repair Wizard: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=2648

 

[Phantom010]

Apparently you're not the only one with that issue I just looked into it. I'm looking to see if there was any solutions with the specific drive. If your auto-play is are enabled for all external drives and you can see the CD's contents on your computer I suggest you try Auto Repair Wizard: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=2648

It's the same AutoFix.exe.

 

[VictoriaiiCe]

Never used it before. So Next idea?

 

[Phantom010]

Have you tried Tweak UI?

Click Powertoys for Windows XP > Tweak UI.

Expand My Computer.

Expand AutoPlay.

Click Drives.

Tick the letter for your CD/DVD ROM.

Click Types.

Tick Enable AutoPlay for CD and DVD drives.

Click OK.

 

[shelley]

Hi, Phantom010,

I looked into Tweak UI, as you suggested. The drive was not ticked. I corrected that but it hasn't made any difference. I can play cd's but they do not autostart.

 

[Phantom010]

What about Types > Enable AutoPlay for CD and DVD drives?

 

[shelley]

I did that too.

 

[Phantom010]

I'm sure you went through all this already but to make sure you haven't missed something, right-click your CD/DVD-ROM (choose the right drive letter). Click Properties > AutoPlay.

Go through all Content types and make sure none is set to Take no action.

http://www.amitbhawani.com/blog/how-to-disable-autorun-autoplay-for-cd-rom-usb-drives/

 

[shelley]

Hi again,

All the Content Types have an action associated with them. None have 'Take no action'.

I don't know if this makes a difference but the drive is designated 'DVD-RAM Drive'.

Inserted a few DVD's. I couldn't find any to autostart and none played in Windows Media Player which popped up when selecting Play in the r/c menu. I got blank screen and a lot of whirring. DVD's are set to play using Nero ShowTime anyway, not WMP, so it's a little strange that WMP popped up. I can get to view DVD's if I start Nero first.

Hope that helps.

 

[Phantom010]

I don't know much about DVD-RAM drives but many DVD standalone players and recorders do not support DVD-RAM.

As a test, you may want to try disabling Nero ShowTime from playing your DVDs and let Windows Media Player do it?

 

[shelley]

WMP works, or rather doesn't, as I described above.

When I insert a DVD and look at Properties in WMP it shows -
Length : 00:00;
Media Type : audio
Audio codec : none
Video codec : none

Which may explain why it won't play in WMP.

The drive does recognise what's inserted (drive name changes).

 

[Phantom010]

As I said, I don't know much about DVD-RAM technology. It's not very popular, I'm afraid.

Considering your WMP issue with codecs, you might want to try the popular free K-Lite Codec Pack?