I’ve come across this once or twice before and think it relates to some sort of contention for CD/DVD devices but the scenario is this.
Itunes doesn’t recognise new cd media being inserted into drives and after closing it down and safari – neither will appear to start again but may appear in task manager processes.
I’ve tried a few things like tracking down the processes relating to itunes – its helpers and mobile device helper and stopping those but appears something else is preventing itunes / safari starting.
I found a few sites claiming that this is an issue with the lookup service Graceland – where the track info and album info come from.
What I have found is that when you get the combination above – a reboot definitely cures it.
Thankfully I’m now loading some new albums I got on Saint Patricks Day @ a belated birthday present