My computer recognizes the cd/dvd rom but my cd rom does not recognize my cd's. Once in a while I come across a place that says Auto Play and my music cd plays but I cannot install software programs. If you can help I would appreciate.

Like what you can't install? You can't get in the cd or what? Give specific details

When I put a cd into the cd player it just sits there and does nothing. The green light comes on and it will try but no luck. Once in a while it will play a musical cd and a couple of weeks ago I installed a software program after not being able to for several months. It just seems to have a mind of its own.

I see. Well, may it be the lens that there are in the device? How many years have you got this player? A good thing to do is to install the device to another machine (if provided) to see if it works there. If this is not a solution for you, try buying a special cd to cleanse your lens. If this doesn't work, try to hear if the cd spins in the device. If not, then something is wrong with the spinning (e.g. the cd can't fit well on the spinner). If this doesn't help either, then you should check if it's a windows problem. Try opening the content of a cd with another program, not windows explorer. If you have a vcd movie for example try ripping it with a program such as dvd shrink or try playing it with power dvd. Still not recognizing the cds? Then it's really weird... Do you have any other devices?