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June 2nd, 2004 23:00
CDRW and DVD/CD Drives Suddenly Stop Functioning
I've researched this topic quite a bit, and in my research, I've been unable to find a problem like mine, nor have I been able to find any sort of solution.
Both of my CD drives have suddenly stopped functioning, and by 'not functioning', I mean that not only does my computer fail to recognize either drive, both even fail to eject. (There are now CDs stuck in each drive) When I turn my computer on, I get a black DOS screen noting that while my hard drive and zip drive are present, the additional two CD drives aren't. It then proceeds to ask whether I'd like to go to a setup screen, or just continue starting up my computer. Upon selecting the, 'setup' option, I find that when I try to tinker with the two missing drives, that they're set to 'auto', and any other information is, 'n/a'. In messing with the boot setup, the third on the list of things to boot, is booting both of the CD drives, but next to that, it says in italic letters, 'not installed'.
So basically, there are no CD drives installed, and not only are they suddenly not installed, but neither drive responds when I try to get them to eject. They're recieving power, because when I start up, the light turns on, on the drive, so I don't believe that the actual hardware is damaged. Though I should probably note that this suddenly became a problem after I physically moved the computer to another room.
I've tried messing with the registry keys, with no luck. There is no entry for either CD drive in my device manager, though, in my registry, there's a registry entry for a CD/CDRW/DVD drive.
I would try to simply reinstall the drive, but unfortunately, I have no information on either of the drives, I have no manufacturer information whatsoever. (Being that this just suddenly happened, and all of the information on the computer regarding either CD drive miraculously vanished.) So it seems that simply reinstalling the drive is out of the question.
Anyone got any ideas? Is this the result of some sort of virus? Is it a physical problem with both of my CD drives? How do I go about fixing this?
Thanks, Heather
verd
2 Posts
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June 2nd, 2004 23:00
I forgot to include my info:
Dimenson 8200 (slightly customized), WinXP - purchased in Oct of 02
AlexLand
1 Message
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June 3rd, 2004 05:00
Predator
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15.3K Posts
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June 3rd, 2004 11:00
Hi Heather & Alex,
You mentioned moving the PC, I would suggest you first open the case and re-seat the IDE cable going from the motherboards Secondary Channel to the back of each drive. For information on entering the case (if needed), click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 4, drop down to Dell`s Specification Pages and follow the link for your system.
I would then Clear the NVRAM and apply the MS fix for Upper & Lower Filters, at the same CD/RW site/link, scroll to Section 11, article 2, look at article 1 as well; Section 100, article 31.
If this does not work, you may have a bad drive, which can cause conflicts with the "good" drive, you may need to test each drive as the "only" device on the Secondary Channel. Dell ships their systems using the Cable Select Feature, so when testing the drive, disconnect the IDE cable and power cable from one device, attach the "End" connection of the IDE cable to the drive you wish to test.
Section 12, article 3 is from Dell-Stephen.
Best Regards
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link