CD-ROM Problem HELP!!!

[pentacles]

Pentium 3 600Mhz.
128Mb RAM.
Win98se.
Creative Sound Blaster Live X-Gamer.
Creative Annihilator 3D video card.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif When I loaded a CD, the cd-rom moved inside for a couple of while then it came out again. It seemed that the driver cannot read it. I have tried many CDs but the result was still the same. Even if there was no CD, when I pushed the eject button, the drive moved inside and came out again. So I could not close my CD-Rom drive forever.
Is it a hardware problem or a software problem?
It is a Creative 52x CD-Rom Drive. Now, I cannot use my CD-Rom for any purpose because it cannot read anything from it, keep ejecting all type of CDs from it. Please help me to solve this problem.

[Mr.Goodbytes]

So tell me something: Does the CD-ROM drive show up in device manager or in my computer? The problem might be in BIOS too, you could set for it to autodetect the drive. I'm guessing you have it set as secondary master. It shouldn't be a software problem, since windows 98 supplies the driver.

[pentacles]

it shows in device manager. i already set autodetect. Software problem? Hmmm...I build up this pc last year and how come this problem just appear? Should I buy new cd-rom drive?

[orkboss]

New Cd are cheap enough, is your lens dirty?

[awforrest]

I've installed several Creative CD drives for customers and they do seem to be problematic right out of the box. I don;t know all the details but I suspect the drive is bad.

I switched to Memorex and no problems. Always good.

[manwhore]

if it doesn't stay shut with no disc in then it's the drive - for definite

if it only has issues when the disc is in and wont read either then is suspect your read laser has failed.

[pentacles]

Hmm..i guess...need to buy a new one. Thanks for your info guys.