CD/DVD Drive not reading disk

Question

I was getting an error 39   on my cd drive and my dvd drive.  I have a dimension 8200. After following some of the threads and articles on this forum, I have removed the filters and uninstalled & reinstalled the drives and ide controller.   The cd drive will play music from another device  (music match jukebox), but not  any other kind of  software.  Windows explorer doesn't recognize that there is a disk in the drive.  It keeps telling me to insert disk into drive, even though the disk is already in the drive.   The dvd drive is the same.   However the drives will recognize these disks  if I open the computer in safe mode.  Can you please advise me as to how to fix this. Thanks Sue

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,You may have to reinstall your burning software and possibly the decoding software you are using.Also verify that drives are running in DMA mode and not PIO mode. Click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 15, articles 14 &1 17.If this does not help, Clear the NVRAM, same CD/RW link, Section 11, article 2.Merry Christmas ! CD/RW Link

magicsno · Answer

Well I checked and the drives are running in DMA mode so that wasn't it.  I am going to clear the NVRAM next, but I have another question ( I aplogolize in advance if this is a dumb question).  If I need to reinstall the software, how can I do that since my drives do not recognize the software disk?

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,I have always said there are no dumb questions, answers.. well that is a different story and I just proved that, would indeed be difficult to reinstall the software from the disc, you have humbled me my dear lady ;)!!See if Clearing the NVRAM helps, if not, you can see if there is possibly an update/patch for your software you can download from Dell, no drive required for this.Also we have a couple of free decoding programs to download as well if needed.Merry Christmas ! CD/RW Link

magicsno · Answer

I cleared the NVRAM and that didn't seem to change anything.  the drive still won't recognize the disk. I didn't see any updates or patches  for my software at Dell's site.  Any other suggestions???   Thanks! Sue

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,Since the drives work in Safe Mode, we can rule out a hardware issue and you have covered all the basics. Have you considered reinstalling the Chipset drivers?Dale, one of our BIOS regulars would recommend a hard re-set of the NVRAM bye removing the battery.Merry Christmas ! CD/RW Link

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,

Here is a quote I copied from Dale:

Clearing the NVRAM with the battery:

With the machine unplugged from the wall remove the battery from the motherboard. Then with the machine still unplugged press the On button for several seconds to dissipate any remaining electrical charge on the motherboard. Then re-install the battery, plug the machine back into the wall and boot normally.

Dale

Here is the inside view of your 8200 series:
../systems/dim8200/techov.htm#1101565
As for the Chipset drivers, your 8200 series does not list them, here is the Drivers & Downloads link for your system. I should have checked first before suggesting them, my bad..
Drivers

Jeff

magicsno · Answer

Can

magicsno · Answer

Can you

magicsno · Answer

Can you give me some details on how to do this.  I am fairly new to troubleshooting this computer.  I have been able to follow your artilces so far, but would appreciate some details on how to reinstall the chipset drivers,and the hard reset of the NVRAM.  Would the drivers be something I download from Dell?  This is not the original cd drive that came with my computer  Dell sent me another one a couple of months ago when the door on it jammed. Thanks!

magicsno · Answer

I cleared the NVRAM with the battery and the cd drive still won't recognize a disk. The only thing it changed was the date on the computer.  Is there anything  else I can try.  I would really like to get  the drives working , if at all possible. Thanks!!

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,Disconnect your system from the Internet, do not want you on-line without any protection. I recall another Member mentioning that he had updated one of his Anitvirus programs / Spyware or maybe firewall and turned out it was blocking access to his drives. Since the devices work in Safe Mode, we should to be looking at software / driver or a BIOS issue. Anyway, after disconnecting from the Internet, turn off one of those types of programs; test the drives, if it does not help, turn off another one.Merry Christmas ! CD/RW Link

magicsno · Answer

I tried this and it still doesn't recognize the disk in  either of the drives. Any other ideas?

Predator · Answer

Hi Sue,Try a new IDE cable, you will need the ATA/6 standard, 40-pin/80-conductor type.Check the motherboard and drive connections for bent or loose pins.Consider updating your BIOS; possibly a new CMOS battery and I am running out of ideas.Merry Christmas ! CD/RW Link

Storage, Drives & Media

CD/DVD Drive not reading disk

Was this post helpful?