cd rom and possible software problem

G

Guest

Hello,
The computer is a Dell. About 2 months ago, an HP PSC 1600 All-in-one was
installed. The software was installed. There was a problem with the
printer, so it was returned and a duplicate was obtained. The software was
not returned because that was not the problem. When the original printer was
returned, the printer was uninstalled. I am told that worked fine. When the
new printer arrived, the cd was put in to install the printer. At that time,
the cd rom would not work. (The cd rom was not used during the interim) So,
the installer went back about a month to a restore point, and was able to get
the cd rom to work. The printer software was installed (or thought it was
installed), and the printer works.
Today, I was called by my friend, because Windows would not install. I
looked in Set up, and determined that the computer was getting hung up on
looking for the cd rom to be installed. In set up, that drive said unknown
device. So, I changed in set up so that it would bi-pass that drive. Then
windows installed fine. Until, that is, up on the scene came the
installation of 2 parts of the printer installation! So, I bi-passed them in
msconfig, and everything came up fine.
But, of course, still no cd-rom. I changed it back in set up to unknown
device (only option other than none). The cd-rom opens, and
acknowledges, by it's lights, that a cd is in. But, of course, the computer
does not recognize it. I have looked in Device Manager, and there is no
cd-rom there.
I am thinking that my friend was just lucky in picking a restore point when
the cd rom worked. But, I am also wondering if this is a windows problem, a
cd-rom problem, or a printer problem. Another thing I did was to attempt to
uninstall the printer software. I was unable to do it. The computer just
sat there! I tried through Add/Remove programs, and also through Start
Programs Hp etc.
Do you think that Windows should just be reinstalled? Or, do you think this
is a cd rom problem and just replace that? Or, pick a restore point and get
a different printer?
If you have any other suggestions, please make them too!
Thank you!
 
J

Jim

Maggie said:
Hello,
The computer is a Dell. About 2 months ago, an HP PSC 1600 All-in-one was
installed. The software was installed. There was a problem with the
printer, so it was returned and a duplicate was obtained. The software
was
not returned because that was not the problem. When the original printer
was
returned, the printer was uninstalled. I am told that worked fine. When
the
new printer arrived, the cd was put in to install the printer. At that
time,
the cd rom would not work. (The cd rom was not used during the interim)
So,
the installer went back about a month to a restore point, and was able to
get
the cd rom to work. The printer software was installed (or thought it was
installed), and the printer works.
Today, I was called by my friend, because Windows would not install. I
looked in Set up, and determined that the computer was getting hung up on
looking for the cd rom to be installed. In set up, that drive said
unknown
device. So, I changed in set up so that it would bi-pass that drive.
Then
windows installed fine. Until, that is, up on the scene came the
installation of 2 parts of the printer installation! So, I bi-passed them
in
msconfig, and everything came up fine.
But, of course, still no cd-rom. I changed it back in set up to unknown
device (only option other than none). The cd-rom opens, and
acknowledges, by it's lights, that a cd is in. But, of course, the
computer
does not recognize it. I have looked in Device Manager, and there is no
cd-rom there.
I am thinking that my friend was just lucky in picking a restore point
when
the cd rom worked. But, I am also wondering if this is a windows problem,
a
cd-rom problem, or a printer problem. Another thing I did was to attempt
to
uninstall the printer software. I was unable to do it. The computer just
sat there! I tried through Add/Remove programs, and also through Start
Programs Hp etc.
Do you think that Windows should just be reinstalled? Or, do you think
this
is a cd rom problem and just replace that? Or, pick a restore point and
get
a different printer?
If you have any other suggestions, please make them too!
Thank you!
Is the CD-ROM recognized by the BIOS?
Jim
 
G

Guest

no, the only drives it recognizes are the hard drive and the 3 1/2 inch
drive. under "secondary drive", it says unknown device.
Thank you.
 
J

Jim

Maggie said:
no, the only drives it recognizes are the hard drive and the 3 1/2 inch
drive. under "secondary drive", it says unknown device.
Thank you.
Check the cabling between the motherboard and the drive. If the cable is
firmly seated in both the motherboard and the drive, then the most likely
cause is a broken drive.
Go no further until after the drive is recognized by the BIOS.
Jim
 
G

Guest

ok. The first thing I will do is check the cables. If the drive is not
recognized after that, you suggest replacing the drive? I don't know if I
will be able to sell my friend on that unless I can guarantee that is the
problem! I may tell them to take the machine to a repair shop and let the
shop do it. I don't want to chance losing a friendship.
Thank you so much for all of your help!
 
J

Jim

Maggie said:
ok. The first thing I will do is check the cables. If the drive is not
recognized after that, you suggest replacing the drive? I don't know if I
will be able to sell my friend on that unless I can guarantee that is the
problem! I may tell them to take the machine to a repair shop and let the
shop do it. I don't want to chance losing a friendship.
Thank you so much for all of your help!
I would tell them that the problem is most likely a bad drive, but that they
should take it to a repair shop (and not a place like Best Buy).
Jim
 
G

Guest

Hi,
I am going to check the cables tomorrow. If that does not solve the
problem, I am going to tell them that I do think that is at least part of the
problem - after all, another kind of software problem would probably not
cause the cd rom drive to stop working. So, I will replace the drive. If
that does not take care of the problem totally, I am telling them to go to a
repair shop and get the data off of their hard drive, and reload windows. Do
you think this is the best thing? Also, do you have suggestions on the best
places to get cd drives? The only ones I can find around here are cd-rw, and
theirs is a straight cd.
Thank you so much!
 

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