Todd:

You shouldn't use the paper clip trick with the system running, only if off.

What kind of CD? Do you have DirectCD, Drag-to-disc or any other packet writing program running? I've seen this happen when a packet-writing program thinks it's got a disc in progress and will not release it.

Hi Osprey:
Thanks form the reply. At the time the disc got stuck, I was using a sound editing program, Audacity. Is this a "packet writing program"? Anyhow, I'll try the paperclip trick with the machine off. I Hope I didn't cause any damage by trying it with the pc on . . .
Todd

Todd:

No, a packet-writing program (Audacity is not) will be included with your burning software. For example, if you use Sonic, they include a program called DLA. I would suggest you disable or uninstall this, as it conflicts with some other burning programs.

Are you burning CDs with Audacity? Maybe the program cannot close the session.

Well, as suggested I tried the paperclip trick with the machine off and, lo and behold, it opened the tray. The CD I was using had both a music file and a copy of the audacity program. It appears the problem has to do with running audacity off the disc. I downloaded the program onto my hardrive, and copied the music file onto a new disc. Now everything is working fine. Too bad -- I was looking for an excuse to replace the cd burner with a dvd burner.
Thanks for your help
Todd