Music soothes the savage beast. Take it away, and what have you got? A beast that's not only savage but also agitated because his tunes are gone. Not that you'd become comparatively irate should your PC's CD player refuse to play, but if it suddenly stops and you can't hear that CD you crave, remain calm and try a few basic moves to get yourself humming along again. Ê

Keep It Clean. Before assuming the worst, it's best to eliminate the obvious reasons your audio CD might not play. Although these silver discs are more durable than their predecessors (cassette tapes and vinyl), everyday wear and tear has been known to interfere with the listening experience. So first, check for scratches, smudges, or dirt. Clean away any surface matter using a nonabrasive cleanser and a cotton cloth. Gently wipe the CD in a direct line from its center to the outer edge.