Missing DVD-RW Drive (E:)

[Edna]

One of two NEC DVD-RW Drives (E & F) the (E No Longer shows up in WExplorer
or Device Mgr.

In Tweakui, My Computer, Drives, it's checked but has a Red Question Mark.

In Computer Mgmt\Storage\Libraries - and -
under Disk Mgmt - Only one NEC DVD_RW appears.

In Event Viewer\System - Very few errors and none of importance.

I doubt I've ever used it so I'm not aware how long it's been missing.
Other than installing a Toshiba External HD (G a cpl months ago nothing
has changed not even new software. I tried Kelli's Registry entry but that
was unsuccessful.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[kandinsky63]

Hi

i also have 2 nec dvd drives and occasionally one gets 'stuck' where the
System does not see it. The only solution that i have come up with that
unlocks the drive and makes it 'visible' again, is by following method

1. turn of PC
2. disconnect the errant drive - should be a power and IDE connection
3. turn PC back on
4. turn off pc
5. re attached cables to drive
6 restart PC

this normally does the trick. IF this does not work the IDE cable or the
drive might be faulty. I would change the cheaper cable if this transpires
to be the case.

 

[Ronaldo]

Hi Kandinsky,... The trick you do, forces Windows to recognize a new device
and auto-install it... you can achieve the same purpose from the Windows
Device Manager... Check the answer to Edna for a much easier solution you
can apply the next time you have the same problem.


-----------------------------------------

 

[Ronaldo]

Right click on My PC\Manage\Device Manager\rignt click on the CD/DVD Drive,
and select "Uninstall", next right click on the computer name (on top of the
devices list) and click on Search for New Hardware... waith for the system
message that the Drive has been installed.

 

[kandinsky63]

unfortunately, in my case the 'missing' drive was not listed i.e. Device
Manager did not see the drive at all. Therefore my solution was 'extreme'
because it had to be. I could not reinstall/rollback device drivers cos the
drive as not being recognised. Its true that Edna might well be able to
sort the problem via device manager - my fault for not suggesting that in
the first place.

 

[Ronaldo]

OK, I understand.

--------------------------

unfortunately, in my case the 'missing' drive was not listed i.e. Device
Manager did not see the drive at all. Therefore my solution was 'extreme'
because it had to be. I could not reinstall/rollback device drivers cos
the drive as not being recognised. Its true that Edna might well be able
to sort the problem via device manager - my fault for not suggesting that
in the first place.

 

[Edna]

Ronaldo, My DVD/CD Drive doesn't show up in Device Mgr:
One of two NEC DVD-RW Drives (E & F) the (E No Longer shows up in WExplorer
or Device Mgr.

I did rt click the Name (at the top) and ran the "Scan for Hardware Changes"
also on "DVD/CD-ROM Drives" and
on the one remaining "_NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A" my Drive (F

I guess I'm going to have to play Technician and do as Kandinsky63 suggests
but ... I'm having trouble getting the side off the box. Some Technician!
Darn I'm hesitant - can anyone think of anything else to try not
necessitating getting into the box and fumbling around?

 

[Ronaldo]

Read ALL the messages and check the TIME for each one...

-----------------------------------

 

[Ronaldo]

Hi Edna... the PC box might have a lock that you have to press/slide to
remove the side panel... if it doesn't have a lock, use a small blade
screwdriver to carefully pry the panel backwards..

Or you could try to install the Drive from Control Panel \ Add new hardware
and try the automatic installation of hardware and follow with the manual
method if auto doesn't work... your system may not have CD-Rom devices
available in the hardware list (mine doesn't) for manual installation, but
if you have the installation CD you can use it to try either an auto or
manual installation.


-----------------------------------------------

 

[Anna]

Hi

i also have 2 nec dvd drives and occasionally one gets 'stuck' where the
System does not see it. The only solution that i have come up with that
unlocks the drive and makes it 'visible' again, is by following method

1. turn of PC
2. disconnect the errant drive - should be a power and IDE connection
3. turn PC back on
4. turn off pc
5. re attached cables to drive
6 restart PC

this normally does the trick. IF this does not work the IDE cable or the
drive might be faulty. I would change the cheaper cable if this transpires
to be the case.

Edna:
As you describe the problem and your add'l comments (not included here), it
certainly sounds like a defective optical drive may be the problem.

You've stated that "I doubt I've ever used it so I'm not aware how long it's
been missing". So I take it you're saying that it's possible that the device
*never* worked properly, yes? Or at least you're unaware if it *ever*
worked, yes?

Anyway...

What happens when you activate the power button on the optical drive? It
opens and closes the drawer without any problem?

Assuming it's not a problem involving the power to the device...

And assuming it's not a defective optical drive that we're dealing with
here, it is possible (although unlikely), as "kandinsky63" suggests that a
defective data (IDE) cable is causing the problem or possibly the connection
to the drive isn't properly seated. So his advice has some merit. Just power
off the machine, disconnect and then reconnect the power and data cables to
the optical drive. And check the jumper setting on the drive to ensure it's
properly jumpered. (I think you stated in a later post that you were having
some trouble removing the side panel of your PC case. Hopefully you've
resolved that issue). Then power on to see if that's a solution.

If still no go, disconnect the data cable from your other (working) optical
drive and connect same to the problem drive. Make sure you change the
problem drive's jumper configuration if needed. I'm assuming in all this
that you know your way around the IDE data (ribbon) cable configurations -
Primary, Secondary, Master, Slave. The point of all this is (one way or
another) to change the data connection to the problem optical drive from its
present connection to a different one to determine if that corrects the
problem (and tells us that it's not a defective drive we're dealing with).

If still no go, it's reasonable to conclude that the drive is defective. But
the only definitive way to tell if that is indeed the case is to remove the
device from the present system and install it in a different system.
Anna

 

[Walt Thatcher]

Read ALL the messages and check the TIME for each one...

Umm... looks as if you needed to have read all of THE message that you
replied to (the OP's message).

 

[Ronaldo]

What can I say?... i'm only human... I should have read slower and not miss
a word, but saw she mentioned the device "question mark" so immediately
assumed it was in the Device Manager...


-----------------------------------------

 

[Peter Foldes]

Use the fix in this MS KB

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314060

 

[Edna]

Kandinsky63, Your instructions were superb! I didn't follow them exactly
inasmuch as I didn't Shut Down and Booted up between unplugging and
replugging. Not a decision just that I carelessly forgot to do so. I was
mad at myself while waiting to get into Windows thinking the purpose for
doing so was to get the "Add New Hardware" window.

You said there should be a Power AND IDE connection. There's only ONE plug
visible w a Red and a Yellow cable with four holes. I checked carefully but
likely due to an inferior flashlight, I failed to see a Power connection.
This Drive sits at the top of the box so it could come from the Drive
underneath and into the bottom?? Hmm NOW thinking - I bet that one plug
with two cables is both IDE and Power. Pls confirm.

Ronaldo, Thx to u, I successfully used a super small screwdriver to loosen
the snick of a seal that appeared to have formed. The Slider then worked.
Re the Add New Hardware feature. Mine does list the DVD Drives but as it was
a surprise to me to discover tonight there was such a program, I hadn't tried
it. Great find! LOL Thx for this!

Anna, Yes the Drive used to show up and I know it was functional when I
purchased it. You asked: "What happens when you activate the power button on
the optical drive? It opens and closes the drawer without any problem?"
Anna, I panicked when I discovered it didn't open and close. Unbelievable I
had failed to try it prior to Posting. Anna your Post was Excellent. Thx so
much for your effort. This part Ann I have no clue how to: "And check the
jumper setting on the drive to ensure it's properly jumpered." I'll Google
this and find out. Must be correct though as it's working now. I purchased
all the components myself (not my orginal intention) and had a Shop assemble
it for me. Following all my software/backups installations the C Drive
"Fell" out of the casing. I'll not rely on anyone other than Dell in the
future.

What I did: I powered off, disconnected the one plug, plugged it in again,
stood back and admired my work, Powered on expecting to see the 'Add New
Hardware Window" but it didn't appear. Disillusioned I opened WExpl. To my
utter amazement there was my missing DVD Drive (E and it's visible in
Device Mgr and in Tweakui Drives void of a red question mark. I tried a CD
and found it perfectly functional! T'was the first time the Computer Gods
smiled down on this hopeless Tech Wretch! To others this seems a simple
procedure. To me it was a traumatic experience but ... now that I've
actually had my hands in there, I won't be so reluctant to try again.

Thx to ALL that contributed. Your response is truly appreciated. I don't
know what I would have done - called a Tech I guess at a cost of likely $100.
Either that or just leave it inoperative. I no longer recall the purpose I
thought was important to have two DVD Drives. ... Edna
PS What is the correct way to post a Reply? At the top or at the bottom
of the Post you are responding to? I see both procedures used. I think I
prefer at the top therefore making it unnecessary to scroll to the bottom of
numerous Posts.

 

[kandinsky63]

Hi Edna

glad to be of help! The solution offered by Peter Foldes requires some
confidence into going into the registry and fixing the issue there. My
solution is the easiest and quickest - it forces XP to recognise the drive
again.

My DVD rewriter has a 40 (39effective pins) male IDE connector panel
situated roughly in the middle. Next door to it is the power connection (4
pins) to which a white female socket with black/red/yelow wires attached
must be connected to. There should be 2 separate cables that attach to the
back of your DVD writer.

You need to follow my instructions in regard to shutting down the PC cos if
you try and 'hot plug' the device, this can cause system corruption and
force the PC to shutdown and makes it do a CHKDSK- I know from bitter
experience trying to shortcut the process.!