OptiPlex 745 does not recognize optical drives

You have to wonder if peaple actually READ the post before they fire off an anwer . . . .

I stated quite clearly that ">>OptiPlex 745 will not read or execute from CD or DVD drives on any SATA interface, whether at boot or inside WinXP  NOTE: the BIOS does report the a drive installed, and the correct manufacturer of optical drive in the "Drives" section. "<< 

 If post was read more throughly, anyone can surmise that the operating system does not have anything to do with the problem.  But what do we get here?? A bunch of URLs to microsoft tech articles. What of the problem that NO BOOTABLE CD IS RECOGNIZED BY THE OPTIPLEX?

If post was read more throughly, anyone can surmise that it's not a loose cable connection because of the extensive troubleshooting that was accomplished prior to the post in thos forum.  And where was a Code 39 mentioned anywhere in my post?  -  -  -  nowhere.

In short, not reading my post was not helpful.

Your Post was read and you say it is "seen" by the bios.

Therefore I would say its the OS.

Pressing F12 would bring up an option to boot from CDROM or that could be changed in the CMOS to Always Boot from CD.

Not bothering to go to the Microsoft sites where they have Fix Wizards is your choice.

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060 - Automatic Fix

The terse response is likely to not motivate anyone else to look at this further .

Speedstep;

Just because the bios "sees" the optical drive, does not mean that the OptiPlex can "access"or "read" from the device.

Now, I'm going to type a longer than necessary explanation here, because  you have trouble reading.  The computer will not BOOT to any KNOWN GOOD CD FROM ANY ONE OF SEVERAL KNOWN GOOD DRIVES.  These good CDs are from several software utility manufacturers, using self-contained, bootable O/S's.  Some use a variation of Linux, some a FreeDOS operating system. And I've TESTED these CDs in everything from Dell desktops to HP ProLiant servers, Dell Poweredge servers, and clone built PCs. Finally, and most revealing, this OptiPlex will not read the Dell restore CD. This PROVES it's a Hardware issue, because the testing methodology excludes any particular O/S.

ARE YOU COMPREHENDING THIS?????  EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN BE A WINDOWS PROBLEM!!!!   Did you ever understand my opening post?

Tell everyone who reads this WHY you wrote >>Not bothering to go to the Microsoft sites where they have Fix Wizards is your choice.<<

Is this Dell support training? Fix issues with Microsoft wizards or the the problem doesn't exist?

Is that warning about your motivation something you want displayed in the forum and mentioned on other forums?

Speedstep; Just because the bios "sees" the optical drive, does not mean that the OptiPlex can "access"or "read" from the device. Now, I'm going to type a longer than necessary explanation here, because  you have trouble reading.  The computer will not BOOT to any KNOWN GOOD CD FROM ANY ONE OF SEVERAL KNOWN GOOD DRIVES.  These good CDs are from several software utility manufacturers, using self-contained, bootable O/S's.  Some use a variation of Linux, some a FreeDOS operating system. And I've TESTED these CDs in everything from Dell desktops to HP ProLiant servers, Dell Poweredge servers, and clone built PCs. Finally, and most revealing, this OptiPlex will not read the Dell restore CD. This PROVES it's a Hardware issue, because the testing methodology excludes any particular O/S. ARE YOU COMPREHENDING THIS?????  EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN BE A WINDOWS PROBLEM!!!!   Did you ever understand my opening post? Tell everyone who reads this WHY you wrote >>Not bothering to go to the Microsoft sites where they have Fix Wizards is your choice.<< Is this Dell support training? Fix issues with Microsoft wizards or the the problem doesn't exist? Is that warning about your motivation something you want displayed in the forum and mentioned on other forums?

fnbrowning

The members of the Dell Community Forum, with the exception of the Liaisons, are users, like yourself and are not employed by Dell, therefore have never received 'Dell Support Training'.

Bev.

Bev;

I stand corrected regarding the members of the Dell Community.  You probably think it was so unfair for me to be critical of someone who is undoubtly deemed highly altruistic by yourself for helping Dell owners.

However, rendering technical support requires that the support person, helpdesk, volunteer guru, whomever - take the time to understand the problem and apply the most correct solution possible. In the IT support world, it is not professional to be in too much of a hurry to listen to the end user,  too much of a hurry to fire off an answer - - any answer, even if it is wrong.  All good intentions aside, the wrong troubleshooting path is not a noble effort.

I have found the solution. It had nothing to do with Microsoft Windows. It had nothing to do with the optical drives. The solution came from somewhat a suprising corner, as the troubleshooting would have seemed to eliminated it as a cause. It may well strike others whose Dell is out of waranty like my system, and who need an answer.

I will be happy to share it with anyone who emails me. But I won't post it here without a logical, openminded, troubleshooting attempt.

Cheers.

fnbrowning

Your comments are noted and appreciated. 

Bev.

fnbrowning,

It is good that you found the solution. It is sad that you choose to not share it.

At issue here is your tone. Tone in the written language can be very hurtful.

If you found fault in how our users tried to help you, expressing it negatively certainly does not help them or you. All of these quotes are condescending and attacking the user. None of it belongs. The only stuff that belongs out here is troubleshooting.

"You have to wonder if peaple actually READ the post before they fire off an anwer"
That is negative and attacking the user.

" If post was read more throughly, anyone can surmise that the operating system does not have anything to do with the problem.  But what do we get here?? A bunch of URLs to microsoft tech articles. What of the problem that NO BOOTABLE CD IS RECOGNIZED BY THE OPTIPLEX?"

"because  you have trouble reading."

"ARE YOU COMPREHENDING THIS?"

Can you please share your solution?

Thank you.

Dell-Chris M;

I'm sorry there were hurt feelin's, but maybe you should consider the forum poster who has done more than due dilligence to step up to the plate presenting info to include many troubleshooting steps already taken, so that valuable resources and people's time is not wasted. And how do YOU react when you present an issue with all the forethought and consideration 13 years at Dell has taught you, but you are replied to as a newb?

Since you have taken upon yourself to instruct, please take another moment and suggest a method of replying to a forum post that is so far off base, that it was an entire waste of time to read?

Well, how I handled it was to rock the boat a bit to wake up the poster who was not paying attention.     Milquetoast for the hurt feelin's.

fnbrowning,

Hi, I am facing the same issue with the same system; can you please send me the solution?

Hi,

I have the same problem here...

fnbrowning, could you please send an advice?

Thanks in Advance.

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060 - Automatic Fix

Automatically diagnose and repair problems with your CD or DVD drive when trying to read or burn media. Find other automated solutions

Speedstep is still posting the wrong solution because of a reading comprehension problem. If the post was read more throughly, anyone can surmise that the operating system ***does NOT have anything to do with the problem.***  But what do we get here?? A bunch of URLs to microsoft tech articles. What of the problem that NO BOOTABLE CD IS RECOGNIZED BY THE OPTIPLEX?"

SpeedStep can't get beyond a driver issue. It makes you wonder if  he is just trying to build a post count.

noclaf, Bopp2010.  Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Okay, if you problem is like mine, in that:

(1) You've tried known good drives

(2) Even known good bootable optical media cannot be executed by the OptiPlex.

(3) You've swapped SATA connections

Here is what I found:

On a hunch, I used a seperate power supply to power the molex connection on an optical drive, while it was plugged into the SATA bus on the OptiPlex. Guess what?? The optical drive was recognized!

It turns out that while the original power supply molex for the optical drive had enough VOLTAGE, it no longer had enough CURRENT to drive the motor. This was really weird because I got voltage from those pins,  so, I had assumed the p/s was not an issue. But, new power supply = solved problem!

Thanks a lot for your solution!

Will try this next Week, when I'm back at the Office.

Have a nice Weekend :)