Hello EVERYBODY!!!

I'm new to this web site so please bear with me on this problem. My CD-Rom is included in my Gateway modem ( C&C 300 S) and it's a desktop unit. I purchased it in May 2003 and it has Windows XP on it. In the past I have used CD's to utilize game features and maybe download new programs for the computer but the CD part has been used very little. Most of my computer useage is on the net and ebay, e-mail, etc. In the past four years I have used only less than 1/3 of available space of memory so I guess that's sufficient knowhow for you experts out there to answer my question.
I purchased a CD on E-bay ( car repair manual ) and when I got it I had trouble from the start. After talking to a former mechanic, I learned that the disc might have a problem being read so I contacted the seller who in turn sent me another disc (identical to the first ONE!) and it too wouldn't run right. Then after a phone call to the seller and numerous e-mails, I decided to try the CD on a neighbor's Dell (XP,too) but it's a laptop, and behold.... it worked nicely. This where I stand. I've got a total of 3 CD's that do not play on my Gateway. If there's a problem with the CD driver please TELL me why this occurred? My bro-in-law taught computers and he too was puzzled when he tried to get the data on the screen. All I get is an error message that states that the disc is not compatable with Windows or MS-DOS. How  can that be when the disc plays on another unit? I know there's a glich in the driver but what is it? Was my computer hacked into? Or my novice usage of the thing? Space aliens? I'm the only user of this computer. Any help to solve this will be really appreciated.Have you tried to update the drivers?You might try cleaning the LASER lens with one of these: Memorex Laser Lens Cleaner for CD/DVD Players All CD Drivers are built into Windows. There is no need to "update" anything. You may want to try deleting the CDROM in Device Manager (in Control Panel/System) and then rebooting. Does this make a difference?

The CD unit may just be shot. The optics usually fail long before the mechanics. THe amound of hard drive usage doesn't figure into that. It depends on the manufacturing process, usage and luck. The cleaner may help some, but no guarantees.

HOWEVER

On a computer that does play this disc, what are the file extensions? Look in WIndows Explorer if not sure. If it is a .pdf file then it is an Adobe Acrobat file and you will need Acrobat or Foxit reader to read it. I suspect this is the problem if it is a manual.

Here is a free download of Foxit:

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Acrobat is available at www.adobe.com