When I installed an external cd-rw drive in windows xp.
I did the hardware detection, created a cd.
I put the cd in the other cd drive, and it spun and spun, and the cd drive icon disappeared. The drive was useless. It would not eject until I rebooted the computer.
I believe it had something to due to the way in installed it.

1) Any idea what would cause the format of the cd I burned using windows xp default software to not be readable in the other cd drive on the same computer.

2) When I install my external cd drive again, how should it be installed, Mass storage, USB etc.

Kevin

If the external drive is usb then you should install the drivers before connecting it. Then attach the drive - all the drivers should be installed automatically by Windows at that stage. Unless you have;

a) Bad drivers
b) A faulty drive

..then you should have no problems with this method.