asked on

cdrom problem

I have a dell 8100 I have 2 cd-roms one is a dvd/cd the other one is a cdrw evey time I put a new cd or I have to rebot my computer when I go in to my windows explorer
to look at files it tell me the computer can't access the drive. When I go in the properties and hardware I use populate the cd is fine until I put in a new cd. It is getting on my nerves when I have to do this for every cd.
Thank you

Phillip1

BBirvine

Make sure that your drives are configured correctly. If both cd drives are on the same cable then one will have to be the secondary master and the other secondary slave.
If one of your CDs is connected to your primary master hard drive then you will have to set the CD/DVD to primary slave.
There should be jumpers at the back of each drive to set this.

waffleironhead

are both the drives on the same ide cable?....i have heard in the past of people having troubles with a dvd and a cdrw on the asam eide cable...i never have but....

did you contact dell?ok so that was a joke

maybe firmware update or burning software update?
waffle

waffleironhead

HannibalL

Have you changed the CD drive's settings so that it automounts a new disc? Most of the time...OK (98% of the time) it will do this for you automatically, but it's worth a try.

Popeyediceclay

I too have heard of problems having two CDROMs on the same ribbon cable. For good practice, make the CDRW master of the secondary controller and add the reader to the primary with your HDD. If there is no room for that config, try adding a PCI controller, they are pretty cheap. I never keep two devices on one ribbon cable, I think they get better performance when they have exclusive access to the controller.

Griffon

This might be of help sorting out the problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B322823

if you could say what os you are running that might help.

Griffon

prd00

I had this problem before but it's long long ago with all HP writers. But not with new writers. It was before 8x or 10x write era. New HP drives doesn't had this problem.

Other solution, try to turn off auto-notification on CD insert on Windows, and only put new CD when you are prompted to by writing softwares such as Nero or WinOnCD, or after WinXP says to put the empty CD.

The other problem is with your writers cache memory. It means defected CD-Writer.

Putting CD Writes as single cable separated with other devices is a very good practice. You can put CDROM/DVDROM on same cable with HDD, but not with writers.

stick5050

Phillip, what operating system are you using? Is it XP? If so, you may be having the same problem that I was having until about 2 weeks ago. I would have to reboot my computer every time I wanted it to recognize a new CD placed in either drive. The solution that worked for me was to update my motherboard's IDE chipset drivers. Worked like a charm. If the chipset drivers are up to date, you might want to try reinstalling them. I'm aware of two cases where this has solved the problem. I'm willing to bet that Dell didn't include the motherboard drivers on their resource CD they sent with your computer, so you may have to contact them to find out what motherboard is in your computer and where you can get drivers for it. Good luck.

akboss

============================
No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is:
PAQ/No Refund

Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.

PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!

akboss
EE Cleanup Volunteer
============================

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

SpazMODic

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial