when i load a cd it shows that it is mounted but will not run.i click open and it just shows me file and expands to show all files.a cd with photos works fine i can view pictures.i cannot install any software i am new to linux ihave installed mepis linux 3.4 every thing else seems fine but without cd capability i am at a standstill.

exactly what software are you trying to install??

Edwood,
You may have the noexec option in the line in your /etc/fstab file that refers to your CD rom. If this is the case, you cannot execute (ie "run") applications that are on the CD.
You have two options:
1] Remove the noexec option by editing (you will need to be root!) /etc/fstab and remounting the CD rom.
2] Drag the file from the CD rom to your desktop, and execute it from there.
HTH & welcome to LQ.

to my first reply i mean any cd i mounted does not run just shows files.to second reply i will try that but i am not much of a computer expert so i am not sure how to get to /etc/fstab.I guess you mean to expand the files on my cd rom and move that file to my desktop.i do not understand when you say i need to root to remove the noexec option iwill try to do what i can but could you give me a little more details if possible thankyou.

OK.
I do not know which window manager (KDE, Gnome, ....many more) you are using, but the principles will be the same.
1] To check the noexec business. Use your file manager to navigate to the file /etc/fstab, and click or double-click the fstab file. It should open so you can read it. Does it have a line that refers to cdrom that also contains the word noexec? If so, that is why you cannot execute programs on the cd rom.
2] You can also navigate, using your file manager, to find the file you want to execute. Left-click & Drag that file to your desktop. Let go of the mousebutton. Choose "Copy here". Now you can probably execute it.

Having said that, you do not normally have to run files on a cd, and I wonder exactly what it is you are trying to do. If you are trying to install software, your distro's package manager is probably the easiest way to go.

It looks as though you are really new to linux if you do not understand about permissions and the importance of "root". I'm sorry to say that you do need to do a little reading if you are going to have fun with linux.
There are many guides on the net (& google is your friend!). Here's one:
http://www.linuxnewbieguide.org/

I do not know much about mepis, but I installed kubuntu (Dapper6.06) yesterday and I am hugely impressed: It would be a very good starting distro for a newbie.
It is a 1 CD download (easy with broadband) from here:
http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php

Then see http://www.krazypenguin.net/ and click on "Ubuntu Dapper Guide" which will help you install all the software you need, and enable useful things like mp3 playback, DVD playback, Flash, Java, NVIDIA & ATI video drivers etc.

Have fun
HTH