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January 12th, 2009 15:00

DVD drive issue: cannot boot from it-- can boot from CD-- configuration might be wrong-- solutions or make a multi-CD install?

Heya guys!!

I'm having a small issue right now::

--nLite (http://www.nliteos.com/) DVD .iso making is just fine. However, I can't see to get my PC to boot from the drive. Any kind of disk (live cds, boot cds, windows install cds) will not boot from that drive. CDs on the CD drive will boot just fine.

My PC specs::
Dell Dimension 4400 with A06 BIOS revision
DVD drive with the issue: LG GH22NP20 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144 )
P4 @ 2.8 GHz, 2GB, nVidia 7800GS

Now, I've did some Googling and found that others have similar problems to mine. http://forum.lgsoftwareinnovations.com/showthread.php?t=24980 -- I will double check whether or not I have an 80-pin cable.

My BIOS recognizes the drive (albeit, in a weird name-- I can copy it down under request), and it is set as the "secondary master." My secondary slave is the CD Drive.

Boot order is as follows:
ATAPI (or something like that- I can double check) CD Drive --(DVD drive as first, CD drive as second)
Hard Disks
Removable Devices -- floppy

Changing or F12-ing select does nothing.

I've tried booting from CDs, like Ubuntu's Live CDs-- however, the DVD drive won't go through. Only when I put it in the CD drive will anything boot and start up from it.

Any suggestions? I will double check everything for my Drives from your suggestions. If what I do does not work, what other options can I fall back to?

How can I fix this?
If I can't what other options are there? Can you walk me through all the steps in making a multi-disk install or even a possible USB?

What are your recommendations?

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH :) !! I look forward to your responses.

[Also posted on Dell Forums and MSFN forums for optimal and diverse feedback.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128523

[Also posted on Dell Forums and MSFN forums for optimal and diverse feedback.
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128523
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19251706/19407870.aspx#]]

4.6K Posts

January 13th, 2009 05:00

Since the discs all work fine in the CD drive, it suggests the DVD drive is faulty.

Only replacing it with a known working drive will verify that though?

66 Posts

January 13th, 2009 05:00

Hi

Is the DVD drive getting detected in the device manager and my computer.

4 Posts

January 13th, 2009 22:00

The drive is not faulty; it works just fine during OS operations and IS detected my device manager and BIOS.

I think its something wrong with how I hooked it but, but it works fine though. Any other suggestions?

In the meantime, I will call LG support and ask them about it. Thanks for the reply !!

133 Posts

January 13th, 2009 23:00

Happy Dude,

 

if it works in Windows but you cannot boot from it, disable the CD Drive in the BIOS.

 

Many Dell systems are somehat strange in that they will boot only from the first optical drive it detects in the BIOS, by disabling the CD drive in BIOS you may be able to boot from DVD (as this will now be the first optical drive)

 

Hope this helps

4 Posts

January 14th, 2009 15:00

Thanks for the reply. As of now-- I am not immediately on my main PC.

I do believe I have indeed checked the BIOS settings and even tried to disable the CD drive, and I think I recall nothing happening.

TO DO::

--Call LG

--Retest BIOS settings

--?Try a 80pin IDE cable instead of a 40 (if I am indeed using a 40pin)?

 

Thanks :) !! Is there anything else I should do? Anything other to recommend?

133 Posts

January 14th, 2009 21:00

If the drive works in Windows to read other things, the hardware is not the issue (LG or IDE cable).

 

Make sure to disable the drive in the BIOS, or swap the connector from the CD drive onto the DVD drive. I would also disable all other boot devices in the boot order (different than disabling the devices all together) except the optical drive.

 

If at that point you see 'press any key to boot from CD', then we know it is bootable. Sometimes the keyboard does not respond appropriately (especially wireless ones) at this point, ot you press 'any key' too late. I always tell people if they read the line, you are to late, press it as soon as you see it.

 

Good Luck

4 Posts

March 21st, 2009 09:00

Thank you so very much!!

 

Disabling the CD Drive from bootup works like a charm.

(Though I still have to F12 to select the DVD drive.) But alls well ends well :) !!

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