CD-ROM DEVICE RECOGNISED BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE

[Nick]

Help! The OS no longer recognises when a CD is loaded in
the tray. Device Manager recognises the CD device and it
functions (open/close etc) but the contents of a CD are
unaccessible.

- Attempted to repair WINDOWS by booting up to CD Setup
disk failed because systems couldn't "see" the disk.

- Booted up using diskettes obtained from MS utility but
process stopped because system failed to "see" the setup
CD.

Uncertain whether problem is hardware or software-related.
Anybody with similar experience resolve the problem?

 

[Malke]

Help! The OS no longer recognises when a CD is loaded in
the tray. Device Manager recognises the CD device and it
functions (open/close etc) but the contents of a CD are
unaccessible.

- Attempted to repair WINDOWS by booting up to CD Setup
disk failed because systems couldn't "see" the disk.

- Booted up using diskettes obtained from MS utility but
process stopped because system failed to "see" the setup
CD.

Uncertain whether problem is hardware or software-related.
Anybody with similar experience resolve the problem?

When your computer first starts, does it "see" the cd-rom drive? You may
need to go into your BIOS and check there. From your description of the
problem, my guess is that this is a hardware issue and has nothing to
do with Windows. With the computer shut off and unplugged, open the
case and check that the ribbon cable and the power connector to the
cd-rom drive are in place. You might want to reseat them. Then turn on
the computer and check if the drive is now seen in the BIOS. If not,
try a different ribbon cable. If still not, try a different drive. If
the different drive is seen, then you know the first one has failed. If
the different drive is not seen, then you know the problem is on the
motherboard.

Malke