Audio CDs Do Not Play Automatically When You Insert Them (306504)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98

This article was previously published under Q306504
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you insert an audio CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, the autoplay feature may not work as expected. You may have to start the CD-ROM drive manually to play the CD.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when "AudioCD" is not listed in your "Registered file types."

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


To resolve this behavior, create the following registry keys that are required for the autoplay feature, and the associated file type.
To create the file type and the associated registry keys, follow these steps.

Create AudioCD File Type

  1. Right-click Start, and then click Explore.
  2. On the View menu, click Folder Options.
  3. Click the File Types tab, and then click New Type.
  4. In the Description of type box, type AudioCD.
  5. Delete any text that is in the Associated extension box, and then press SPACEBAR. You must enter a space in the Associated extension box for the file type to work properly.
  6. Click New.
  7. In the Action box, type &Play.
  8. In the Application used to perform action box, type C:\Windows\cdplayer.exe /play, and then click OK.
  9. Click Close to close the File Type dialog box.
  10. Close Windows Explorer.


Create AudioCD String

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Right-click HK_CLASSES_ROOT, point to New, and then click Key.
  4. In the box that appears, type AudioCD, and then press ENTER.
  5. Right-click AudioCD, point to New, and then click String Value.
  6. Double-click the new String Value. In the Value data text box, type AudioCD, and then click OK.
  7. In the left pane, right-click the AudioCD key, point to New, and then click Binary Value.
  8. In the text box that appears, type EditFlags, and then press ENTER.

Add Value Data to the Default String

  1. In the left pane of the Registry Editor, right-click AudioCD, point to New, and then click Key.
  2. In the text box that appears, type DefaultIcon, and then press ENTER.
  3. In the right pane, double-click the (Default) string value.
  4. In the Value data text box, type C:\Windows\System\shell32.dll,40.

Edit Value Data of the AudioCD Key

  1. In the left pane, right-click the AudioCD key, point to New, and then click Key.
  2. In the text box that appears, type Shell, and then press ENTER.
  3. In the right pane, double-click the new Shell key default string.
  4. In the Value data text box, type Play, and then click OK.


Create the Play Key

  1. In the Registry Editor, right-click the Shell key, point to New, and then click Key.
  2. In the box that appears, type Play, and then press ENTER.
  3. In the left pane, click the Shell key.
  4. In the right pane, double-click the (Default) string value.
  5. In the Value data text box, type &Play, and then click OK.
  6. In the left pane, right-click the Play key, point to New on the shortcut menu, and then click Key.
  7. In the text box that appears, type Command, and then press ENTER.
  8. In the right pane, double-click the (Default) string value.
  9. In the Value data text box, type C:\Windows\cdplayer.exe /play %1, and then click OK.
  10. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information regarding the autoplay feature, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142361 How to Cause CD Player to Play Audio CDs Automatically



For additional information regarding the autoplay feature in Windows Media Player, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279614 Windows Media Player Does Not Play Audio CD-ROMs Automatically


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB306504