Forbidden Access to CD ROM

About a week ago my computer displayed the icon for my CD-rom drive covered by a red no entry sign and informed me that the administrator (i.e. me) had forbidden access to it. Any ideas how I can get round this?

 

There is a very good chance this is malware, unless you are in a Domain setting and this was done through Group Policy.

 

Thanks, do you have any suggestions of how to solve the problem?

 

For Domain settings, you need to talk to your IT folks.

For malware, you need to re-ask the question in the malware removal forum:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Include a link to this post, if the MODs do not move it.

Be sure to follow the "Sticky" note instructions at the top of the Forum.

The reason I suggest a malware examination is that a loss of priviliges such as this is becoming increasingly common as a way for malware to protect itself. In the past you could download from a non-infected machine malware removal tools and bring them over to the infected machine on a floppy, CD or even USB pen drive.

It is becoming more common for malware to "fight back" by blocking access to these devices. So your issue is a signature of sorts, that suggests at least a good look at what is running, and whether friend or foe, is a very good idea.

 

Thanks, I have run Norton's full scan and my system comes up 100% clean. The computer supplier has suggested I do a restore from the system disks but since it is the dvdrom which is the problem, I am not keen. Any further advice? Just to clarify, it is my family's standalone home computer.

Thanks

Peter

 

Norton is looking for viruses.
It does not look for non-virus malware issues, such as yours.

Follow the advice earlier. Do the steps in the "Sticky ", and if the issue remains unresolved, post a HijackThis log to the Malware removal forum.

I can immediately tell you how to remove the block, but it would almost immediately be restored if malware is the issue.

Read the sticky.
Follow the steps.
If needed, post a new thread referencing this in the malware removal forum.

Note: XP does not post notification tray icons with red X's on them for removable devices such as your DVD-ROM drive. Nor does it do so anywhere else, such as My Computer. Something else has done that. It is a signature of something nasty. This is completely removable and without trauma to your installed applications and data. No reinstallation required.

The good folks manning the Spyware and Virus removal forum are very good at this. I promise you I will monitor their work, just out of curiosity, as they really do not need my help.

Best wishes,
Bill

 

Thanks Bill, did the spybot etc. and no luck. Have posted Hijack this log as instructed.