My cd-writer (HP) on numerous occasions will have its eject ability
disabled. Pushing the button on the front doesn't work nor does the
software "Eject" option on popup menu work.

A reboot will normally solve the problem... for awhile. I have done
some light research and the pat answer is that some program has
control of the CD. So be it, but I am usually at the desktop (Windows
ME) so nothing seems to be actively using the CD.

My question is how do I located the program that is holding my cd
hostage and is there a way that I can regain control of the eject
facility without having to reboot?

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 19 Sep 2003 16:39 PDT

mesamike...

While it's difficult to do from a distance, I would suggest
initiating the Windows Task Manager to see what programs
are running and whether you can recognize any of them as
being related to CD usage.

As far as regaining control of the eject facility, try
downloading and running this small 'gag' program which
opens your CD tray while stating that it's offering you
a cup holder. It's available from Joyce's website at MIT:
http://web.mit.edu/joycelin/www/Files/Gift.exe
on this page:
http://web.mit.edu/joycelin/www/Download.html

If this resolves your problem with regaining control
without rebooting, let me know.

sublime1-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 19 Sep 2003 18:19 PDT

Are you using Nero burning Rom and InCD from ahead softwares?
In the affirmative, which versions?

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Clarification of Question by mesamike-ga on 19 Sep 2003 22:33 PDT

Your questions have forced me to see if I can duplicate what seemed to
be a random occurence. I know can reproduce it, I just can't solve the
problem.
I have a CD writer as drive M and a cd reader as drive N. Came
configured that way on HP Pavilion 7845.
The problem is only happening with the writer and only when I have a
data CD-RW in the drive. Does not happen if it is a music cd or if it
is a CD-R.
I have turned off "Auto Insert Notification" for that drive on and off
and that makes no difference. Immediately after a reboot (a CD-RW is
loaded in CD), I can press the eject button on drive M numerous times
and it works dandy. I then start up File Explorer, click on the CD
icon for that M: CD so that the data contents shows in the right pane,
and now the eject button is disabled - neither pushing the button nor
using the right click and choosing "eject".
The way the CD is formatted, I am able to write directly to that drive
as if it were a hard disk or floppy. So I can backup Quickbooks
directly to the CD or copy files via File Explorer's drag/drop,
cut/paste etc. without having to go through Adaptec's Easy Cd Creator.

I assume there is some background driver that allows the OS to write
to the CD without having to go through a temporary storage step like
XP. Could it be this software that is causing the problem?
I have a client who has this same problem where the eject capability
gets disabled so I know it is not just my machine. She is running
either 98 or ME on that machine.
I did try the Cup holder program while the button is disabled and the
button stayed disabled.

mesamike...

After considerable research, I came across a thread for Windows ME
on Computing.net which seems to address exactly your problem.
A possible solution was posted, tried, and worked, so I am
reproducing it here in hopes that it solves your problem as well.

teabag43 writes:

"Whenever I copy my data files onto a cd disk the drive door
 will not eject the disk unless I shut down and restart the
 computer. I have tried going into my computer right clicking
 drive E and eject but still it doesn't work. I have adaptec
 easy CD creater 4 but this happens when I am just using windows
 to copy to disk. I was told that it may be because a program
 is running and telling the door not to open."

Delta Dart rsponded:

"GO to Start>Run> type "msconfig">OK. Click "startup" from the
 dropdown menu and make sure the "Adaptec DirectCD" block is
 checked. If not check the block click apply>ok and reboot."

teabag43 reported that this worked.

More on the page:
http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/37729.html


Given that there is no way for me to verify the solution directly,
I have no choice but to present this as a likely answer. If it
does not solve the problem, I will be happy to continue working
with you until your problem is resolved. If I am unable to 
resolve it to your satisfaction, I will have the answer removed,
if necessary, so that a satisfactory resolution can be found.

Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.

sublime1-ga


Searches done, via Google:

"Windows ME" "CD eject" "doesn't work"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Windows+ME%22+%22CD+eject%22+%22doesn%27t+work%22

"Windows ME" "CD eject"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Windows+ME%22+%22CD+eject%22

"Windows ME" "CD won't eject"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Windows+ME%22+%22CD+won%27t+eject%22

I did go to Mass this morning and visited THE Sublime1. He must hav
aided you on your quest, oh sublime1-ga, for you did an OUTSTANDING
ferreting job. Your proposed solution worked! Just goes to show that I
can be over-zealous when turning off too many things in msconfig.
Once again, excellent job. Well worth the money, and use the tip for a
cup of good Java!

mesamike-ga,

A lot of times you can also select the drive that won't eject from Win
Explorer, right-click that drive and select "Eject," and it works.
This happens to me a lot with my Win XP Pro internal Zip drive, and
occassionally with my DVD- and CD-ROM drives..

right-click Start button-->select Explore-->scroll down to CD drive
letter (i.e. "E:")-->right-click drive letter-->select "Eject"

This uses Win Explorer to eject drive rather than any third party
software programs.

omniscientbeing-ga
Google Answers Researcher

mesamike...

I'm very pleased that your problem is resolved. Thank you for the
praise and the tip!