On my Dell Dimension 8200 running Windows XP service pack 2, I have an NEC 7900A internal CD-RW drive, as well as a Plextor PX-712UF DVD/CD RW Drive connected (via USB 2.0) externally. Both drives have been operating flawlessly up until today.

For some reason, whenever I now insert any CD or DVD into either of the associated drives, the discs are not recognized, but (for whatever reason) if I LAUNCH Windows Media Player 10 first, then the drives are able to recognize whatever CDs or DVDs I insert into the drive(s).

I'm pretty sure this problem MUST have something to do with my Windows Media Player configuration which has somehow taken over the CD/DVD drive recognition, as when I re-boot the computer, I have to re-launch Windows Media Player again before any discs are recognized by either of my two CD/DVD drives.

The only thing that I did recently with Windows Media Player earlier today was to re-direct the Midi Audio output in the Control Panel: "Sound & Audio Devices" out to my keyboard (Tyros) via my USB Midiman Midi controller box. I've since re-set the midi audio output back to plackback internally via my computer software synth.

I'm hoping one of the computer gurus here might be able to help me figure out how to get things working with my CD/DVD drives again so I don't have to keep launching Windows Media Player first before I'm able to access CD/DVD ROM data. Is there a specific Windows settings which controls this? Please help.

Thanks in advance.

Scott