Catch 22

[randwill]

Okay, the best minds in computer science cannot tell me how to get rid the
listing of a removed DVD drive which remains listed in the "E" position of
"My Computer", which causes the working drives there now to perform
erratically or not at all. At least I developed a problem that no one can
solve. Yaah for me.

So, I want to re-install Windows XP. The CD is being read by one of the
drives and the installation begins but very quickly I get; "File Copy Error.
An error occurred copying file; abcdefghijk123456789, ect.", it's different
each time, so the actual file doesn't matter. Which makes sense, because
the DVD drive is not being recognized by the system properly because of the
phantom drive it still thinks is at "E", which is why I want to reinstall
the system.

In short, is this computer worth anything anymore or should I throw it in
the dumpster on the way to buy a new one?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

So, I want to re-install Windows XP. The CD is being read by one of the
drives and the installation begins but very quickly I get; "File Copy Error.
An error occurred copying file; abcdefghijk123456789, ect.", it's different
each time, so the actual file doesn't matter. Which makes sense, because
the DVD drive is not being recognized by the system properly because of the
phantom drive it still thinks is at "E", which is why I want to reinstall
the system.

Windows sees it as "E", not your system. Enter the BIOS and make sure
that ONLY the drives you have installed are showing.

 

[Brian A.]

Okay, the best minds in computer science cannot tell me how to get rid the listing
of a removed DVD drive which remains listed in the "E" position of "My Computer",
which causes the working drives there now to perform erratically or not at all. At
least I developed a problem that no one can solve. Yaah for me.

So, I want to re-install Windows XP. The CD is being read by one of the drives and
the installation begins but very quickly I get; "File Copy Error. An error occurred
copying file; abcdefghijk123456789, ect.", it's different each time, so the actual
file doesn't matter. Which makes sense, because the DVD drive is not being
recognized by the system properly because of the phantom drive it still thinks is
at "E", which is why I want to reinstall the system.

In short, is this computer worth anything anymore or should I throw it in the
dumpster on the way to buy a new one?

Does the removed drive still show in Device Manager > DVD/CD-ROM Drives?
Also see if it shows in DM > View on the menu bar > Devices By Connection > expand
ACPI Multiprocessor > expand MS ACPI Compliant System > expand PCI Bus > expand the
PCI Root Ports and check the PCI IDE controllers for devices.

If you feel comfortable searching it out in the registry, you can under:
HKLM\System\MountedDevices
and
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\IDE
and
HKLM\Hardware\DeviceMap\SCSI\one of the SCSI Ports\SCSI Bus\Target\Logical Unit

There may be another place or two and you would be best off using find in the
registry to search for it. Make sure you Export the keys before deleting anything
you find in the case you need to re-import the key back in due to a failure.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Unknown]

Remove virus programs especially Norton and Goback if you have them prior to
restoring, repairing or reinstalling.