XP reading last CD instead of current

[Wilbur]

Now this is bizarre. Last night I was trying to see what was on some CD-RWs I had laying around so I was putting them one after the other into my (newly loaded) XP machine. The first one was the Windows XP installation disc (the install program even started up like it's supposed to). So I took it out and put the second one in and lo and behold it's an XP installation disc too (complete with installation program starting up). Only I don't have two XP discs. So I tried to click on a few files to see what they looked like and of course they wouldn't open. So I swapped discs again back to the first and get the same directory listing but but this time I can click on and open files. So back to the second disc (which by this time I'm figuring is basically blank or unreadable) and there's the XP installation directory again and this time I can click on files and open files, but only if it was a file I had opened on the first disc. Obviously XP was "remembering" everything that was done with the first disk and applying it to the second (directory listings and files that had been opened). I confirmed this further by sticking a third disc in which I know was a Windows 2000 disc and getting yet another XP installation directory and could click on and "open" only those files which had been opened from the first (and errors on all others).

What the h**l is going on here? Does XP keep a cache of everything it reads off a CD and then just use that when it can't read one? Obviously it's doing something like that, but is it intentional? If so, for what possible purpose? I had to put the discs in another machine just to see what was on them. This exact same setup never did anything like that when it was running 95 or 98SE.

[wayneluu]

Just a suggestion for you,
Try to remove the CD-rom driver from the Device manager in the
(/control panel/system/hardwares), and reboot the computer, letting the computer to reinstall the CD-rom driver on its own again. See if the problem is solved or not. Let us know, ok.
Good luck.

[Dick Clever]

You have probably used GameXP (a.k.a. GheyXP) as that has caused the problem you describe on several of my friend's machines, and mine too.

Their claims:

Game XP is intended to optimize the performance of your computer for gaming needs. It tweaks and modifies various XP settings (cache settings, CPU priority etc.) and optionally disables or stops several Windows services that are usually not needed. A full list of actions is included in the readme.txt. The program does not require any installation, and does not need to be running at all times. The program makes quite a few changes, and is mostly suited for strict gaming machines, or as a temporary optimization.

My Claims

Game XP will crucify the performance of your computer, rendering it useless for gaming needs. It untweaks and modifies various XP settings at random and disables or stops several critical Windows services. A full list of actions is included in the readme.txt, but is totally inaccurate. The program does not require any installation, but won't half take some uninstalling, and does not need to be running at all times to cause the mayhem that ensues. The program makes quite a few changes, none of which are any use, and is mostly suited for strict parents who want to stop their kids using gaming machines, or as a joke

[slauhter]

Hi,

I have seen this occur many times.
It is caused either by an Xp corruption or something is loading down Explorer and delaying its refresh.

You should find that if you close and open the Explorer windows over a period of up to 20mins or so it will eventually refresh.

Perhaps try running ad-aware and or removing any net based apps this generally clears it up.

Otherwise you may need to re-install.