Symptoms:

CD Drive does not recognise new CDs or DVDs inserted into the drive. It does list the correct files, and games play correctly etc, but the CD title stays the same as the CD that was in the drive when the computer started up. For this reason, I also don't get any autoplays.

This is a very annoying problem, as Windows Media Player has lots of problems with ripping CDs when it can't see which CD is in the drive!!!

At first I thought it was drivers, so I updated and reinstalled them to no avail. Then I thought the IDE cable may have come loose, so I opened up the PC and checked it. It was fine. I am running out of ideas now!!

Many many thanks for any help offered...

I haven't used WMP to rip CD's. I usually use Roxio. Its alot easier. As for the autoplay feature, as soon as you insert a blank cd, does a window pop-up, asking you what you would like to do? If not, then you probably disabled it before. To disable it, you have to check a checkbox to disable it. Did you check that box?

Sorry, I think I forgot to mention this....

This is NOT an Autoplay problem. The Autoplay is a symptom of a bigger problem.
The problem is that my comp does not recognise when a new disc is inserted. In 'My Computer' the disc name stays the same as whatever disc was in the PC when it booted up.

I have checked, and all the autoplay features are enabled.

Thanks....

Have you tried booting the computer without a CD in the drive?

Also:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314096/EN-US/