Windows xp cd/dvd devices will not work

Hi, Lynn:

 

Are you able to read any disc in either drive? Since both drives are connected to the same IDE channel, then if one drive has failed, both may appear inoperable.

I have discovered the exact same problem with my computer. If anyone learns how to fix it, please contact me back....I am not computer savy, but would like to try and fix on my own if possible.

Hi, Rainierheidi:

 

Rather than hijack someone else's thread, please start a new one, with the model of your Dell system and your DVD drive.

 

And I can assure you that it's unlikely you have the "exact same problem" since we haven't even diagnosed the problem yet.

Geez, arent you pleasant.. I have resolved my problem and figured out the solution.  I deeply apologize for any inconvienience this may have cauesed.  I was not trying to HIJACK someone elses problem.  If questions for help cause you discomfort....perhaps you should be doing something else with your time!

 

Peace

 

neither are working...with any disc

Lynn:

 

The way to diagnose this is to check one drive at a time. You'll need to open the case, disconnect one drive, boot to the BIOS and turn off the drive you disconnected, then boot up and see if the drive works.

This seems very daunting.  I don't know if I know how to open tower and disconnect drive.  Maybe it's time to take it to a repair shop.

Lynn:

 

That's certainly an alternative if you're not comfortable with hardware.

 

A new drive should not cost you more than about $30. Diagnosing the problem is very straightforward. If I were to check this myself, it wouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes, and I am a rank amateur.

Both drives read discs? Or just one and not the other?

I haven't taken it in for repairs yet.  Tried one more thing...iso buster reads disks and so does dvd identifier.  Maybe this info will help with more diagnosis. thanks

Both drives D & E read previously made data cd. (TDK cd-r)  The same make that I now can't save data or pictures too.  see previous

Ok, so it seems only CD burning is not working? I'm sure you realize that only your NEC drive will burn anything, right? Have you already tried going through these standard troubleshooting steps?

 

By the way, if you open My Computer, right click your NEC drive and select Properties, do you see a DLA or CD recording tab? If so, tell me what you see and the setting on each.

I've done troubleshooting already, followed the steps...no difference.  When I followed the steps to open the nec drive I couldn't find what you asked for.

Ok, try this. Open My Computer and right click on your NEC drive (this is your DVD burner). This will open the drive properties window. The tabs you'll see for any drive are General, Autoplay, Hardware, and Sharing. You should also see a Recording tab and/or a DLA tab. If you don't see either of those, let me know. If you see them, click each one and tell me if CD recording is enabled or if DLA is enabled.

I did as suggested. the tab for recording a cd was not checked.  so I checked it and tried again.  I saved some pix to a cd-r by using Windows cd writer.  It seemed like it was working, but nothing was saved to disk.  I am about to give up.