When I pop in a game CD for installation, I see the initializing setup screen and the bar reaches 100%. But then nothing happens. I leave my computer, then come back about 15 minutes later and its still on the initializing screen. Then about 4 or 5 minutes later, the installation finally starts. This is not an isolated incident either. It's the same problem with any game / software I try to install. I have no clue what the problem might be. Any help?

Maybe your optical drive is dying or it has hard times with some copy protection method. Or maybe your HD is low on space or is massively fragmented. Or maybe you have the most naziest virus scanner ever invented by the mankind.

I told you to stop feeding that hamster!