My CD drive disappears during installation (of the Sims 2)

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.games (More info?)

Recently got the Sims 2 but the darn thing won't install.
I've made it so far as the third CD, but without fail I
come to the same dead end... my CD drive disappears after
I insert the next disc. I read somewhere that my memory
may be to blame, but I have no trouble installing other
programs, download or installed from a CD. Why am I having
this problem only with the Sims? My system meets the
requirements, my RAM posed no problem in the past, what
gives?! I'm about to exchange it at the store for a fresh
copy or, failing that, return it to EA since it's still in
the 90 day warranty period.