cdrom drive not reading disks

[twistedreaper12]

My cdrom drive is not reading disk. It was working untill a week ago. It opens and closes ok. there is also no icon for the drive in my computer either. Does anyone know how I can fix this

[WillyW]

My cdrom drive is not reading disk. It was working untill a week ago. It opens and closes ok. there is also no icon for the drive in my computer either. Does anyone know how I can fix this

Do you remember changing anything after the last time that it worked?  Software-wise or hardware-wise?     Think back carefully.   If so, please describe whatever you can about the change.

I'm not a guru, but the first thing that pops to mind is:   Has anyone been into "Setup"  and possibly changed any bios settings?    I'd have a quick look, just to be sure that the drive in question is enabled there.  

The real gurus that are good at talking you through this sort of thing will be along shortly.   In the meantime, you might want to post again, with some details about your computer and drive.    They are going to ask.    They need to know.
WinXP or ...?
drive manufacturer, make, model ... ?
that's just a start.   Anything else that you think might be important, please list it.

[twistedreaper12]

I tried to reinstall it but i got this message
Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37)
It stop working the day after I installed my printer on it.
my system info is:
Microsoft windows Xp
media center edition
version 2002
service pack 2

gateway
amthlon(tm) 64 x2 dual
core processor 4600+
2.41 ghz . 2.00 gb of ram

[Calum]

Nice machine twistedreaper.
Good post WillyW - more info was definitely needed  
@ twisted - try uninstalling the driver for the CD drive and Windows should reinstall the driver on the next reboot - see if it works then.  Also, is the drive detected in the BIOS?
And did the problem start a little while after you installed the printer driver, or straight after it?

[twistedreaper12]

I tried unistalling and reinstalling but it didn't work. I'm not really sure how long after i installed my printer my cdrom drive stoped working. I just noticed it the next day but it might have stoped working right away. Also how would I check to see if the Bios detected the cdrom drive.

[Calum]

When you boot your computer up, right at the start there is a black screen with some white writing.
Does it mention anything about a CD drive?
Press a key to get into the BIOS, too (it's usually either Delete, F2, or F1, but varies between manufacturers) and see if it's mentioned in there.
Go to the boot order screen (it may have a slightly different name) and see if it is in there.
Did you change anything else besides installing the printer driver?

[twistedreaper12]

I'm not sure but I think it is recongnized in the bios but to make sure, when you go in to BIOS where do you go to check if it is recongnized.

[GX1_Man]

The optics usually go before the mechanics fail. That is the drive may open and close but it does not function, as you describe.

As drives are so inexpensive, a replacement may be the next logical step if the above suggestions do not work. That looks like a fairly new system. Is it not still under warranty? If it is call Gateway at once.

[Calum]

Is it not still under warranty? If it is call Gateway at once.

I meant to say that, how did it slip my mind?
In the BIOS, go into the boot order screen (or similar), it should be listed in there.