Computer Won't Boot After Removing/Reinstalling CD-ROM Drive

Hello,

I think the system just noticed the new drive and prompts you to go into the BIOS to check it out.

So, Go into the BIOS <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> and browse to the drive area. Click on the new CD drive and see if it is seen correctly and turned on. Exit the BIOS page by saving, even if you have not changed anything. If you still get that message at startup, unplug the system and remove the motherboard battery for 15mins and then replace it. This will reset the BIOS settings to default, so you want to go through and write down the settings in all areas before doing so.

Another way to do the same thing can be seen here. This also resets your BIOS settings and you should also copy all your settings before doing it.

Please excuse my illiteracy concerning computer terms, etc.  I re-entered the SETUP UTILITY and noted on the menu list on the left the "Drives" section.  I had earlier provided you with the "Boot Sequence" order which probably has nothing to do with my issue.  However upon entering the "Drives" section, I found some interesting information that perhaps may explain my boot problem:  Here's what appeared on the menu list:

Diskette DR

DRIVE 0  SATA O       On

DRIVE 1  SATA 1       OFF

DRIVE 2  SATA 2       OFF

DRIVE 3  SATA 3       OFF

DRIVE 4  PATA O       ON

DRIVE 5   PATA 1      ON

My hardware configuration is:  CD-ROM in slot one, CD-RW in slot two, then I have two hard drives ("E" and "F")  the E drive is my main drive and the F drive is an added Western Digital 80Gig drive that was installed a couple of years ago.  Does this information help you decipher what my issue is on the boot up?  Which of the listed drives is one that I should switch to "ON"?  Thanks!  Also, if I end up replacing the CD-ROM drive, will I have to go through this process again?

PS:  I changed the "OFF" settings to "ON", one at a time, moved out of Setup Utility and watched if the system would boot with each change.  It did not.  I then changed Drive 5 to "OFF", moved out of Setup and the computer booted properly.  I am assuming I have "turned off" my CD-ROM drive.  I guess the question at this point is:  "Why is the computer not recognizing the CD drive, even though it's plugged in correctly and is the originally installed piece of hardware that (obviously) was recognized before yesterday when I unplugged and cleaned it?

I entered BIOS, selected "Drive" and viewed the following in order:

1.  Onboard SATA Hard Drive

2.  Onboard IDE hard drive

3.  Onboard or USB CD-ROM drive

4.  WDC WD1200BB-22GUAO

I did have a second hard drive installed a couple of years ago, which I assume #4 is ("WD" for "Western Digital"?)  Also, I have a second CD drive, factory installed, that is my CD RW burner.  None of the four listed appears to be that one though, does it?

Anyway does this information help you, help me with my problem?  I restarted after entering this area and it still requires me to go to BIOS, then ESC before it will proceed to Windows.  THX

Hello again,

Look in the "Device Manager" how are your drives listed there C, D, E, etc?

Is the added 80GB hard drive PATA or SATA? Your boot hard drive should be listed as C, with your first CD drive listed as D.

As far as the CD drive that is causing problems, check the jumper settings and see if the old and new are/were set to CS 'cable select'?

Thanks for the reply again.  I went to DEVICE MANAGER and found the following information:

1.  under "DISK DRIVES"

     a  ST340014AS

     b  WDC  WD1200BB-22GUA0

2.  under "DVD/CD Rom Drives"

     a  HL-DT-ST CD-ROM GCR-84883B

I assume the first category contains my two hard drives--primary (first one) and added one the WDC one).  However I am perplexed as to why the second category only shows one DVD/CD Rom Drive even though I have the subject one and a CD-RW below that. 

Does this information help you further diagnose my issue?  By the way, I turned off (on the Setup Utility) "Drive 5 - PATA 1" which had been set to "On" and my computer no longer hangs up at boot but goes right to Windows, etc.  I also ran a disk on that drive and it read it, etc.  I am totally confused.

PS:  I responded too quickly (again).  I went on "MY COMPUTER" and my CD-RW is no longer showing in the "Devices with Removeable Storage" section--only my CD Drive (:D).  So apparently in my process of turning off one of the drives to eliminate the boot issue (according to my notes, Drive 5 - PATA 1) I have now eliminated the CD-RW.  Does this issue go back to your recommendation regarding jumper settings?

Yes, check the jumper settings. :emotion-21:

PS:  I responded too quickly (again).  I went on "MY COMPUTER" and my CD-RW is no longer showing in the "Devices with Removeable Storage" section--only my CD Drive (:D).  So apparently in my process of turning off one of the drives to eliminate the boot issue (according to my notes, Drive 5 - PATA 1) I have now eliminated the CD-RW.  Does this issue go back to your recommendation regarding jumper settings?

Hello again,

I mis-spoke in my last reply and meant to say "My Computer" and not Device Manager.

Your two hard drive are in fact listed. And only the CD drive is listed as you have turned the other 'off' in the BIOS. Have you checked the problem drives jumper setting?

I didn't open the cabinet again as it's quite a task based on where my computer is located (under my desk) and the amount of cables and connections that have to be removed, etc.  I've had it open 3 times in the past 24 hours so given that the computer is booting properly now, having turned off the subject CD-ROM drive in the Utility Setup and it still works, I thought I'd leave well-enough alone.  Is there any harm in leaving the configuration as-is?   Also, if this drive worked fine yesterday (as far as not interfering with my boot-up), would the jumper setting to it have to have been changed manually for it to be a problem now?  If so, I can tell you that I didn't touch anything that would have changed any settings, unless it's such a sensitive thing that could have changed "by itself", through the handling of cables or the drive itself in the process of my disconnection of it.  Thanks for your continued advice.

Hi again,

If you are happy with what you have. Good for you.

The jumper I refer to would need to be removed from one set of pins and then moved to another set of pins. The options are Master/Slave/Cable Select and there should be a graphic on the drive telling you what pins to connect.

You say you have the drive turned off in the BIOS, but also say the drive is working? I'm confused. :emotion-40:

I took the plunge and--for the 4th time--slid out my computer from under my desk after disconnecting everything and opened her up again, in view of not having my CD-RW drive functioning.  Sure enough, the connector that piggybacks off the ribbon going to the other CD-ROM drive had disconnected from the CD-RW drive.  I reconnected, powered her up and she booted property, etc.  Everything appears to work.  I still don't know how/why the Setup Utility change I made for Drive 5 PATA1 to "Off" fixed everything but it did.  Thanks for your help!