[TTKK]

I have an intresting for you.
I have a dell e5410 with win xp installed.
It will not read any cd or dvds that are installation media. In my computer total size and free space shows up as 0 bytes for both.

This problem just occured, not sure when it started, but I used to be able to do this with no problems.

If I put a data cd or dvd into the drive it reads OK.

I uninstalled the drivers and re-installed, still the same.

I tried to run Mr. FixIt from microsoft, it would not run, had a run time error(only error message).

Any Ideas, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[muckshifter]

ALL "finalized" CDs/DVDs will show 0 (zero) space available no matter what is written on them, this is normal.


Welcome to PCReview.

[Silverhazesurfer]

Did you try to access these disks via My Computer?
What happens when you try to open the drive from My Computer?
Are these copied discs?

A bit more information could reveal something obvious.

[TTKK]

I could not open or browse any (with <My Computer>) cd that had installtion files on them, either cd or dvd. But if I put a data disk in the drive I could open the cd /dvd and view the disk contents with no problems.

For data disk, it would show the total size of the disk.
For program installation disk it would show the size of the disk as zero bytes.

I replaced the drive, no change in the problem.

I tried the installation disk in another computer, I could read the disk and browse with no problems.

The machine has win xp sp3.

and roxio cd creator, I check the reg using regedt32, and was looking for lower/upper filter issue. This issue was not present.

Also only the data cd/dvd were copied or burned, the installation media was from software suppliers, and is there factory supplied installation media.


Any idea's would be appreciated.

[Silverhazesurfer]

any other users on the machine? Try creating another user, either limited or administrator (preferably admin) and see if that works.

You could boot to safe mode Windows and try that. Restart and keep pressing F8 key until you get the boot menu, arrow to safe mode, enter. that could isolate software that is installed or a service that could be causing an issue.

Perhaps it is a virus. A virus could disable executables or auto run discs that could be used to install antivirus software. It would allow access to data discs in the hope that it could be copied to the disc and be spread. Boot to safe mode Windows and check for virus.

[TTKK]

I logged in as another user/ Admin. same issue.
Will try safe mode and look for viruis, Will let you now tomorrow what I found.

Thanks for your help

[TTKK]

Sorry, its been a long time since I posted my results.

I tried to boot up in safe mode, my IT dept. password protected, and will not let me log in.

I have been doing a work around by copying files on another machine to a usb mem stick, but it is a pain.

The IT guy is threating with a re-image.......not what I want! I would like to find out what is causing this problem, so when I reload all of my software on I don't have the same problem again.

Any thoughts?

[Silverhazesurfer]

Without Safe Mode access, it will be very difficult to troubleshoot. If you have a company IT department....Go with it. Their department, their rules.

[TTKK]

We just went through a wholesale machine upgrade/ company wide new builds.

Unforunitely my IT dept is un-responsive, much of the software I use, it is up to me to install/trouble shoot etc.



I guess I just will nee to use the workaround, for now

But if any one else has had this issue, would appreacite any feedback on a solution.

Thanks

[Silverhazesurfer]

The fastest way to test if a drive is reading a data disc is to use a boot CD. You can use anything really. Windows Installation CD, Universal Boot CD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/) or Memtest (http://www.memtest.org/). I recommend the Ultimate boot disc for test as this should boot without prompt if your BIOS is configured to boot to CD.

If the system will not boot to a CD, then check the BIOS. You usually can access it via F2 for Dell (I believe. Just watch the screen and it should tell you). The common BIOS access keys are F2, F1(with error) and the DEL key. There should be a top category for BOOT. Check to see that the first boot device is the optical drive. It should have an identifier indicating which is which. If it is a hard drive you may see WD(western digital) and some numbers. Chances are it is a Toshiba or Samsung drive. The optical drive should have something with CD or DVD in the identification.

If you have configured your BIOS to boot from CD and you are prompted and the system does not boot to the disc, then you have a bad drive. This test will eliminate the Windows aspect of the system and only uses BIOS information to boot. There is a chance that your BIOS has failed, but that is unusual and would cause more of a failure than just the optical drive failure.


If you cannot access the BIOS due to IT password, then you have to get the info from your IT department.