OK, I uninstalled both of my drives and restarted my computer, but, they were both on my list when it restarted, which is probably normal, silly me, I dont know sqaut about computers, SO, any other ideas!? :-D, thanks for the help!
If you have to go into the BIOS (setup) and change or just go into the BIOS then you probably have a potential configuration or hardware problem.
Did you add/change any hardware? Or update any system drivers/software? The only drivers for CD/DVD drives are the built in Windows drivers, there are no extra or 3rd party drivers.
The first thing to do is, power off the PC, open the case and "reseat" the IDE Ribbon I/O cable that connects to the rear of the CD/DVD drives. "Reseat" the cables by removing the cable from the drive and then plug it back in, making sure it is fully seated on the drive. Also, check the other end of the cables at the motherboard, push on them to make sure they are fully seated.
Second, since you've been into the BIOS (F2, etc), enter the BIOS again and in many Dell's there is an option to restore Defaults, and select this option and save/exit the BIOS. This will get the BIOS back to the original configuration in case something has been changed, even accidentaly.
Now restart Windows and see if it helps.
BTW, even tho the drives displayed as being in the Device Manager and working properly there are times that they really have a problem. Uninstalling them and then restarting Windows will force Windows to reinstall them (refresh them) and that seems to clear a lot of flakey drive problems.
Wow, you've been alot of help. Thank you. ok. I am about to try this, but not now, because I am about to leave to go get a fathers day gift, but I'll keep you updated when I get back, Thanks!
Jack is currently off-line, in your first post I am assuming you have been "Clearing the NVRAM". If ithis worked for a while then the problem came back, the loose connection may be the problem and Jack`s recommendation should correct this, hopefully. The cable is the "flat grey" one, click on the CD/RW link in my post, then scroll to Section 4, drop down to Dell`s Specification Pages and follow the link for your system, here you should find information on entering the case and what to expect.
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
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 17th, 2004 17:00
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 17th, 2004 18:00
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
June 17th, 2004 21:00
We do try to help, but sometimes it's not "instantaneous" as you have assumed. Most of the assistance here is users (no Dell employees) helping users.
Uninstall the drive in the Windows Device Manager, restart Windows and it will reinstall it. This seems to fix a lot of flakey problems with drives.
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 17th, 2004 22:00
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 17th, 2004 23:00
OK, I uninstalled both of my drives and restarted my computer, but, they were both on my list when it restarted, which is probably normal, silly me, I dont know sqaut about computers, SO, any other ideas!? :-D, thanks for the help!
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
June 18th, 2004 09:00
If you have to go into the BIOS (setup) and change or just go into the BIOS then you probably have a potential configuration or hardware problem.
Did you add/change any hardware? Or update any system drivers/software? The only drivers for CD/DVD drives are the built in Windows drivers, there are no extra or 3rd party drivers.
The first thing to do is, power off the PC, open the case and "reseat" the IDE Ribbon I/O cable that connects to the rear of the CD/DVD drives. "Reseat" the cables by removing the cable from the drive and then plug it back in, making sure it is fully seated on the drive. Also, check the other end of the cables at the motherboard, push on them to make sure they are fully seated.
Second, since you've been into the BIOS (F2, etc), enter the BIOS again and in many Dell's there is an option to restore Defaults, and select this option and save/exit the BIOS. This will get the BIOS back to the original configuration in case something has been changed, even accidentaly.
Now restart Windows and see if it helps.
BTW, even tho the drives displayed as being in the Device Manager and working properly there are times that they really have a problem. Uninstalling them and then restarting Windows will force Windows to reinstall them (refresh them) and that seems to clear a lot of flakey drive problems.
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 18th, 2004 15:00
Wow, you've been alot of help. Thank you. ok. I am about to try this, but not now, because I am about to leave to go get a fathers day gift, but I'll keep you updated when I get back, Thanks!
GodBless
-MajorRPayne
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 18th, 2004 23:00
Ok, which wire am i supposed to unhook/rehook?, is it the flat one with many wires?, or the calored ones?
thanks
-majorrpayne
Predator
2 Intern
•
15.3K Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 11:00
Hi M-P,
Jack is currently off-line, in your first post I am assuming you have been "Clearing the NVRAM". If ithis worked for a while then the problem came back, the loose connection may be the problem and Jack`s recommendation should correct this, hopefully. The cable is the "flat grey" one, click on the CD/RW link in my post, then scroll to Section 4, drop down to Dell`s Specification Pages and follow the link for your system, here you should find information on entering the case and what to expect.
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
majorrpayne
9 Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 20:00
YAY!!!!!!!!!! IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much fireberd and predator for your help, YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
-A very happy majorrpayne