DC7100 ultra-slim model PN286ET, XP/SP3: cannot see tracks on audio CD

[simonbrew]

I've just registered on this site,so I hope this is the right place to ask this question:

My HP desktop uses Xp/SP3 with all latest fixes and it has CD reader which works OK for data CDs and for playing audio CDs. Also Windows media player can see the audio tracks, play them and store in MP library etc.

I've just installed latest release of NCH Express Ripper s/w from www.nch.com.au to rip tracks off my audio CDs and convert them to MP3 format. But ripper s/w cannot see the tracks on ANY audio CD I load. It's just as if CD is not loaded. I have upgraded BIOS, audio drivers and anything else I can think of but problem is persistent. I've also tried other CD->MP3 software and I still get exactly the same problem.

I hate to say it, but I also have IBM laptop with CD reader/writer, also XP/SP3, and NCH Ripper s/w works just fine with the same audio CDs! Any ideas please? I'm mystified.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[simonbrew]

Here's an update on my CD problem: CD model is COMPAQ CRN-8245B and I suspect it uses different drivers from IBM laptop CD which works fine. I've seen reference on other sites to needing ASPI drivers (whatever they are), so maybe NCH ripper software can only talk to CDs which use ASPI drivers.

Since posting first question, I have found other ripper software (audiograbber) on the tucows shareware site which works OK with my Compaq CD player, so for me, problem is solved.

Does all this make sense to anyone? It still confuses me!