Have you tried to double click my computer, select CD-rom drive (D-E or whatever), right click, select open. This should start the CD if it is in the drive.

thank you for responding.  yes i did try that several times and it just will not run. i use to get a message from internet explorer that the content had been blocked to protect my privacy, so like i said i attempted to reset my security options.  Now the thing will not even open, i double click the icon, or under my computer, like you said, and it starts to open and immediately kicks out.  I followed the instructions from the help menu under internet options.  Nothing seems to work.  I know that this is a legit CD because it came in my textbook for class.  I have not heard any of the other students complaining about theirs???  Any other ideas?

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stephie-bug wrote:
i have an interactive CD i am using for school.  I have installed it, as prompted.  However when i try to run it, it wont.  I am required to be online to use this CD.  at first a message popped up saying the program has been blocked to protect my "privacy".  I tried to reset my security, now the thing will not even start.  I  have tried deleting the program and re-installing.  I really need to use this CD for my anatomy class. Have any ideas???

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if it was i having the problem, first i would make sure the cd was not corrupt, by trying the cd on a friend's pc. while there, i would check out anything on his computer which might be allowing his computer access and denying my computer access. i would then go back to my computer, maybe try some new ideas that became apparent while accessing the cd from the friend's computer. i would then try all of the following possibilities (in order) . . .

might be, since it is an "interactive cd" and, since you have to be online, the program is communicating with a web-site on the internet. this might be the reason you are having security problems.
« if you are running anti-virus software, this could be blocking the web-site.
« if you are running windows security center (service_pack_2) this might be blocking the web-site . . . or it could actually be blocking the program from calling out to the web-site.
« same goes for any other firewalls (software / hardware / network).
« the security settings in mie under "security" might be the issue (i set all mine on default) :
« if the documentation that came with the software lists a url which needs to be contacted, you might place this in the "trusted" security zone.
« check the restricted sites . . . might be the URL is listed . . . spyware_blaster, spy_bot's resident / tea-timer and other filter agents might be responsible for this.
« (note . . . tea_timer "will" block any registry changes if configured to do so . . . this also might be blocking access.)
if the documentation does indicate a web-site which interacts with the cd . . . i would try accessing the web-site through mie but with the program closed. if access is successful through the browser, i would check out the web-site . . . and try to locate a "faq" or student_support section of the web-site . . . maybe i could find some relevant issues regarding my inability of program access to the internet.

i would make sure no malware is responsible for keeping me from accessing the web-site by using my following tools :
« spy_bot
« ad_aware
« a²_square
« hijack_this

i think some people actually "ping" the address they wish to access . . . to make sure contact can be made.
if you are running win_2000 or newer . . . i would check the events for processes and programs (administrative maintenance) which might offer me a key as to the denial of operation.
i might try booting to "safe_mode" and see if i can connect through the program.
i might reboot the computer, holding down the CTRL key before desktop appears . . . this inhibits many programs from running at start_up.
i might check to make sure i have adequate permissions . . . i also might log on as administrator.
i might take option to uninstall the cd_interactive program, then go back into system restore . . . to a point previous to your "first" installation of that interactive_cd.
i might check / disable some ongoing processes . . . as well as start_up programs.
i might view the device manager and make sure i have all the newest drivers for the cd_rom.
if all this is unsuccessful (i have never gotten to this point) . . . i might ask the school if i can stay after-hours and use the computer in their library / lab.

[to the forum . . . i apologize if the format is not optimal . . . i am replying while at my work-place.]


|edited 01-26-2005|
stephie-bug . . .
sorry i neglected to point out one directive . . . never place your computer at risk.
i.e. one should never have to disable firewall or anti-virus, just to allow a certain program to run (i.e. your interactive_cd).
if you find it necessary to disable your security field to allow a program to run, this is not a desirable situation . . . you should find another resolution to your issue.
(i found it necessary to edit my original post . . . not only for this member, but also to benefit others in the future who might find reference in this post.)

Message Edited by pijai on 01-26-2005 08:09 AM