Cd/dvd Rom

[George Duncan Sypert]

I am running into a problem with my CD player. When starting the computer the CD ROM works okay but if I don't use it or let the computer run a little while when I try to open the play in insert a CD it locks up the computer. The light flashes real fast on the CD ROM if it is not going to open. At times when I push the button the light flashes very very slow but the tray won't open. If I tap lightly on the side of the Computer case it will open when I push the button again. The only way I can get the computer operating again is to manually shut it off. Hitting Ctrl, Alt, Delet will not do anything either. This all started about 3 weeks ago and I had not done anything or downloaded anything nor installed anything at that time.

While I am asking for help. When I turn the computer on and it starts the Windows sound theme the sound chatters really bad. Using Win 98, 60 gig hard drive, 256 RAM. Pent II 350 Mhz.

Appreciate any help offered.
George