Unable to Access CD-RW Drives or USB Ports

[bobbyk]

I have a Dell desktop computer w/ Windows XP Home Edition.

I'm not sure when it happed, but possibly when I upgraded to Internet
Explorer 7 or when I installed
(then later uninstalled) software from Sony to work an MP3 player. Who
knows, but here's the problems I'm now experiencing [NOTE: I'm a
novice in terms of computer saavy, so any help is appreciate, but
should come in "dummy" language]:

I can no longer access my D or E drives (CD-ROM R/W). The E drive
gives the message "Error: E:\ is not accessible. Incorrect function."
I can also no longer access my USB ports, which simple does not
recognize anything plugged in.

I was hoping to do a data backup (and purchased a Portable Hard Drive,
but that's when I found out the USB was not working when I plugged it
in, and it was not recognized) but Windows XP Home Edition does not
have the Backup feature installed. Since I cannot access my CD ROM
drives, I can't even load the Windows Operating System CD to reinstall
everything (or add the Back Up program). I've confirmed my "devices"
are working and enabled. Anything I could find or think of (given my
limited skill), I've done w/ the tools and diagnostics already on my
computer. There is no sign of problems. Notwithstanding, the programs
installed are working fine, and I have internet access, etc.
(obviously). I think I may have driver issues, but I can't even
reinstall them since my D and E drives are not working.

I don't know what I can do myself, so any suggestions would be great.
HELP!

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Bobby

Please look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Warning and Error Reports and post copies here.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

Part of the Description of the error will include a link, which you
should double click for further information. You can copy using copy
and paste. Often the link will, however, say there is no further
information.
http://go.microsoft.com/fw.link/events.asp
(Please note the hyperlink above is for illustration purposes only)

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event Viewer.
Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of the
message. This will paste the info from the Event Viewer Error Report.
Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from Event Viewer.



--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a Dell desktop computer w/ Windows XP Home Edition.

I'm not sure when it happed, but possibly when I upgraded to
Internet
Explorer 7 or when I installed
(then later uninstalled) software from Sony to work an MP3 player.
Who
knows, but here's the problems I'm now experiencing [NOTE: I'm a
novice in terms of computer saavy, so any help is appreciate, but
should come in "dummy" language]:

I can no longer access my D or E drives (CD-ROM R/W). The E drive
gives the message "Error: E:\ is not accessible. Incorrect
function."
I can also no longer access my USB ports, which simple does not
recognize anything plugged in.

I was hoping to do a data backup (and purchased a Portable Hard
Drive,
but that's when I found out the USB was not working when I plugged
it
in, and it was not recognized) but Windows XP Home Edition does not
have the Backup feature installed. Since I cannot access my CD ROM
drives, I can't even load the Windows Operating System CD to
reinstall
everything (or add the Back Up program). I've confirmed my
"devices"
are working and enabled. Anything I could find or think of (given
my
limited skill), I've done w/ the tools and diagnostics already on my
computer. There is no sign of problems. Notwithstanding, the
programs
installed are working fine, and I have internet access, etc.
(obviously). I think I may have driver issues, but I can't even
reinstall them since my D and E drives are not working.

I don't know what I can do myself, so any suggestions would be
great.
HELP!

 

[Guest]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/125174
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=314096
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314060
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320553/EN-US/
Look through the above links, see if any apply or can help..
Post your results or concerns..
Cheers
j;-j