HP dvd-rw... tricky situation

sammers · 04-26-2006, 09:05 PM

Greetings.

I own a HP Pavillion a230n desktop. I run windows XP Pro. My knowledge of computers/hardware is good, but I'm by no means an expert.

Last year the original motherboard in my HP got fried. I replaced it with a slightly crappy $50 Biostar board (don't ask me the model) due to lack of funds. The other components (optical drives, ram, pci cards, etc) seemed perfectly intact so I kept them in there.

The problem I'm having is with the optical drives. There is a HP dvd-rw, and a hp 48x cd-rom. The cd-rom does not work at all, it opens, but my pc does not recognise it or even seem to know it's there. The dvd-rw seems to work, it's recognised in device manager, my computer, bios, etc. It burns cd's, seems to read them ok... Basically everything is dandy until you try to install something (like a game) that runs off a cd. I tried installing simcity 4, every time it cuts out at about 85% installed and displays an error message saying "please insert the correct cd-rom and restart the application". Similar deal with Civ. III, except it installs and displays the error message when I try to run it. Same goes with pretty much everything except a couple of random applications (like Diablo... go figure) and it doesn't make any sense.

I went to the HP website and downloaded the optical drive firmware updates they have available, but I'm not having any luck installing them because I have a different mobo, which doesn't seem to be taken into account when HP writes its drivers/firmware.

It seems to be either a result of direct component damage to both optical drives that occured when my original mobo died (which doesn't seem likely), or an incompatability/driver issue. I'd rather not buy a new optical drive, because I don't know exactly what the problem is or if that will even help.

Can anyone give me some advice? I'd appreciate it a lot.

Thanks.

04-27-2006, 07:10 PM

Dear Sammers

I believe its time to retire your optical drives. I would do so. Buy a drive from a local store and ask their return policy prior your purchase. Try the new drive. As the prices are going downhill you may treat yourself to a dvd burner :) We all deserve one :D

sammers · 04-28-2006, 05:46 PM

Thanks...

Looks like I'm gonna take your advice and suck it up. I usually order things like that online, but you're probably right about getting it from a local store.

04-26-2006, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
sammers Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP pro	HP dvd-rw... tricky situation Greetings. I own a HP Pavillion a230n desktop. I run windows XP Pro. My knowledge of computers/hardware is good, but I'm by no means an expert. Last year the original motherboard in my HP got fried. I replaced it with a slightly crappy $50 Biostar board (don't ask me the model) due to lack of funds. The other components (optical drives, ram, pci cards, etc) seemed perfectly intact so I kept them in there. The problem I'm having is with the optical drives. There is a HP dvd-rw, and a hp 48x cd-rom. The cd-rom does not work at all, it opens, but my pc does not recognise it or even seem to know it's there. The dvd-rw seems to work, it's recognised in device manager, my computer, bios, etc. It burns cd's, seems to read them ok... Basically everything is dandy until you try to install something (like a game) that runs off a cd. I tried installing simcity 4, every time it cuts out at about 85% installed and displays an error message saying "please insert the correct cd-rom and restart the application". Similar deal with Civ. III, except it installs and displays the error message when I try to run it. Same goes with pretty much everything except a couple of random applications (like Diablo... go figure) and it doesn't make any sense. I went to the HP website and downloaded the optical drive firmware updates they have available, but I'm not having any luck installing them because I have a different mobo, which doesn't seem to be taken into account when HP writes its drivers/firmware. It seems to be either a result of direct component damage to both optical drives that occured when my original mobo died (which doesn't seem likely), or an incompatability/driver issue. I'd rather not buy a new optical drive, because I don't know exactly what the problem is or if that will even help. Can anyone give me some advice? I'd appreciate it a lot. Thanks.

04-27-2006, 07:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
PurpleSky Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Dear Sammers I believe its time to retire your optical drives. I would do so. Buy a drive from a local store and ask their return policy prior your purchase. Try the new drive. As the prices are going downhill you may treat yourself to a dvd burner :) We all deserve one :D

04-28-2006, 05:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
sammers Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP pro	Thanks... Looks like I'm gonna take your advice and suck it up. I usually order things like that online, but you're probably right about getting it from a local store.