CD dropped out: hardware or driver?

Harry Tuttle · 04-04-2008, 05:01 PM

There is no sign of a CD drive on this computer. It doesn't show up in the device manager or in the setup area (or in "My computer"). The box doesn't get used much, and recently the battery on the motherboard was dead, so I replaced it.

The light on the drive flashes during boot up and when I put a disc in it. When I put a disc in it, it makes sound, but I am not sure it is the sound of a disc spinning normally.

My question is: what diagnostic procedure will tell me what has failed, without blindly replacing stuff?

Thanks for any comments

bluesoul · 04-04-2008, 05:14 PM

Check the BIOS as the system starts and see if it's listed in there (in the boot order, etc.) Usually Windows picks up optical drives even as a generic device so I wouldn't think it's a driver issue.

Harry Tuttle · 04-07-2008, 08:35 PM

Thanks, bluesoul. I checked again and I repeat that the drive does not show up anywhere.

I would love it if someone could describe a diagnostic procedure that would help identify the location of the failure. Anyone? Thanks

bluesoul · 04-07-2008, 09:00 PM

Well the failure's going to be in one of three places, the drive itself, the cable running to the motherboard, or the motherboard. There's also the possibility of it being a power issue but it sounds like it's receiving enough power. The likely cause is the drive itself, have you tried replacing it? CD drives are cheap.

Harry Tuttle · 04-07-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Tuttle

what diagnostic procedure will tell me what has failed, without blindly replacing stuff?

ricosuave · 04-22-2008, 05:51 AM

None

check the power cable, the ide cable and connector, and try another ide cable, and/or another cd drive if you can. you could also swap the primary ide cable with the secondary ide to see if that makes a difference.

this is the only way to identify where your problem lies.

04-04-2008, 05:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Harry Tuttle Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Win2k Pro	CD dropped out: hardware or driver? There is no sign of a CD drive on this computer. It doesn't show up in the device manager or in the setup area (or in "My computer"). The box doesn't get used much, and recently the battery on the motherboard was dead, so I replaced it. The light on the drive flashes during boot up and when I put a disc in it. When I put a disc in it, it makes sound, but I am not sure it is the sound of a disc spinning normally. My question is: what diagnostic procedure will tell me what has failed, without blindly replacing stuff? Thanks for any comments

04-04-2008, 05:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
bluesoul Zooey loves you. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Paducah, KY USA Posts: 137 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: CD dropped out: hardware or driver? Check the BIOS as the system starts and see if it's listed in there (in the boot order, etc.) Usually Windows picks up optical drives even as a generic device so I wouldn't think it's a driver issue.

04-07-2008, 08:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Harry Tuttle Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Win2k Pro	Re: CD dropped out: hardware or driver? Thanks, bluesoul. I checked again and I repeat that the drive does not show up anywhere. I would love it if someone could describe a diagnostic procedure that would help identify the location of the failure. Anyone? Thanks

04-07-2008, 09:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
bluesoul Zooey loves you. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Paducah, KY USA Posts: 137 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: CD dropped out: hardware or driver? Well the failure's going to be in one of three places, the drive itself, the cable running to the motherboard, or the motherboard. There's also the possibility of it being a power issue but it sounds like it's receiving enough power. The likely cause is the drive itself, have you tried replacing it? CD drives are cheap. __________________ -Daniel

04-22-2008, 05:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
ricosuave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 53 OS: vista and xp	Re: CD dropped out: hardware or driver? None check the power cable, the ide cable and connector, and try another ide cable, and/or another cd drive if you can. you could also swap the primary ide cable with the secondary ide to see if that makes a difference. this is the only way to identify where your problem lies.