Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: orio61 on June 25, 2009, 11:12:59 AM
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dell dimension 8200, p4 2.54ghz processor, 1 gig ram, approx. 10 years old
xp professional
my cd-rw (samsung sw-240) drive started not reading any disks. windows recognizes it, the device manager states device working properly and it appears on the bios. the drawer opens and closes but the disk does not spin thus there is no reading. it shows up on the windows explorer but no content i shown.
the computer appears to be free of spyware/viruses and the registry has no problems. i have scanned it with 4 different softwares. i checked the cables and they are not loose. there have been no changes made to the computer recently.
i have since replaced the drive with a (hp dvd 1140i) and i get the same results. if anyone knows what is going on, i would appreciate your help.
orlando
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It could be your integrated EIDE controller failing.
Do you have access to an add in controller that you can check with?
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thanks for your reponse. i do not have access to another controller. is there another way to confirm controller failure?
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Can you try the drive in another computer?
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no, i only have one computer. the device manager all controllers working properly. any thoughts?
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Take the new drive to where you bought it and get them to verify it for you.
Most resellers will do that at no charge, they want your business after all.
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thanks for your help.
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Let us know. This is just one of the steps involved in trouble shooting.
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you know one possibility is the Registry,
Right-Click on the drive w/ the problem
click "Properties"
Click "Recording Tab"
and then check the "Enable CD Recording On This Drive" box.
try that also
also try updating your driver software
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also try updating your driver software
There are no independent drivers for optical drives.
The best way to trouble shoot it is with trying the drive in another computer, or taking it back to exchange for another drive.
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sorry it is a faulty CD.
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Reseat both connections at player and motherboard,...if no change replace the IDE ribbon cable, see if it makes a difference.
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sorry it is a faulty CD.
You sure do jump to conclusions a lot. Have you ever heard of trouble shooting?
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what is that?
You sure do jump to conclusions a lot. Have you ever heard of trouble shooting?
you know one possibility is the Registry,
Right-Click on the drive w/ the problem
click "Properties"
Click "Recording Tab"
and then check the "Enable CD Recording On This Drive" box.
try that also
also try updating your driver software
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I feel like I'm feeding a troll, but here goes...
Right-Click on the drive w/ the problem
click "Properties"
Click "Recording Tab"
and then check the "Enable CD Recording On This Drive" box.
That has nothing to do with why a drive isn't READING.
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i already had tried the cable at both ends, however, when i opened the case i did noticed that the ide ribbon cable was really twisted and crumpled. maybe it is damaged. i will try a replacement. thanks evryone for your input. i welcome any other suggestions.
regards
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That certainly can't hurt to try. Sometimes it really is that simple.
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OK. CHANGING THE CABLE DID NOT WORK. HOWEVER, WHEN I UNPLUG THE IDE CABLE, REBOOT THE MACHINE, SHUTDOWN, RE INSTALL THE CABLE AND REBOOT, IT WORKS UNTIL THE DISK IS TAKEN OUT AND A NEW DISK IS INSERTED. THEN IT STOPS WORKING AGAIN. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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That sounds like the on board controller. Do you have your optical drive on the same ribbon as your hard drive, or is the optical on Controller 2?
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it might be needing flash updated though i would be very careful , this cannot be erased unless it is possible to flash back to an earlier flash version.
Did they say anything bad about it when you got it back from the shop?
is it just that disc or are they all not working?
if it is on the same IDE then youll need to use the DVD as master and everything else as slave...
you can set that inside the pc using the jumpers (plasic thingies :) ) on the pins on the back of the device
it will tell you either on the device or in the manual what you need to do to ensure you have the right one selected!
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the optical drive is not on the same ribbon as the hard drive. it connects at a separate location on the mother board. it is identified on the bios as secondary drive 0. the hardrive is primary drive 0.
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Hook it up as a slave on the Primary IDE channel to see if it's the drive or controller...
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it might be needing flash updated though i would be very careful
With all of the inherent problems and dangers with flashing a BIOS, please don't use it as anything but a last resort.
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With all of the inherent problems and dangers with flashing a BIOS, please don't use it as anything but a last resort.
Agreed...
98% of the time a BIOS flash is a very bad idea...
Now if it's a firmware flash all you risk is the device itself.