Dell Dimension 3000 CD/DVD Drive recognized but no files seen
I don't know why I'm messing around with this old box but perhaps I'll learn something.
Of course, this is an IDE system.
It has the latest MB BIOS.
The CD/DVD drive is recognized.
The boot order starts with the "CD drive" and the Hard drive is 2nd.
It won't boot.
No wonder, after booting with the hard drive (Windows XP), when a DVD is in the drive there are *no files showing* even though the device can be opened in Windows Explorer.
This only happens in the drive with an actual disk with files on it. If the drive is empty, it asks for a disk.
A command line changing from C: to D: got "incorrect function".
So, I added another DVD drive E:
Now a command line changing from C: to D: or to E: gets: "the device is not ready"
I've researched it quite a bit but haven't found a solution.
All I really want to do is try out Windows 7 on this machine but I can't get it to boot from a DVD.
When I replaced the cable, I used one of the now-common denser variety. Any issue with that?
Of course, this is an IDE system.
It has the latest MB BIOS.
The CD/DVD drive is recognized.
The boot order starts with the "CD drive" and the Hard drive is 2nd.
It won't boot.
No wonder, after booting with the hard drive (Windows XP), when a DVD is in the drive there are *no files showing* even though the device can be opened in Windows Explorer.
This only happens in the drive with an actual disk with files on it. If the drive is empty, it asks for a disk.
A command line changing from C: to D: got "incorrect function".
So, I added another DVD drive E:
Now a command line changing from C: to D: or to E: gets: "the device is not ready"
I've researched it quite a bit but haven't found a solution.
All I really want to do is try out Windows 7 on this machine but I can't get it to boot from a DVD.
When I replaced the cable, I used one of the now-common denser variety. Any issue with that?
SOLUTION
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Am I correct to assume that you have a PC with Windows XP installed and running OK? If I am correct in assuming this - what happens if you put a known good "CD" into the media tray? Can you see any files on the CD using explorer or "my computer"? If you do - I would say that you might be trying to use a DVD on a PC that only has a CD installed. Don't laugh - I've done it myself.
If your're sure the PC has a DVD (and not just a CD-ROM) installed - I would venture to say that the DVD-ROM drive is bad. If your sure that your hardware is good (the DVD Rom drive) just verify that the DVD (the Win7 DVD) is not scratched, dirty etc. It might also be a good idea to confirm that your "old box" meets the minimum acceptable hardware requirements for Windows 7 which you shouldn't have no problem finding on the internet.
Good luck with your "learning" adventure. Which by the way is the best way to learn. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged!
stan
If your're sure the PC has a DVD (and not just a CD-ROM) installed - I would venture to say that the DVD-ROM drive is bad. If your sure that your hardware is good (the DVD Rom drive) just verify that the DVD (the Win7 DVD) is not scratched, dirty etc. It might also be a good idea to confirm that your "old box" meets the minimum acceptable hardware requirements for Windows 7 which you shouldn't have no problem finding on the internet.
Good luck with your "learning" adventure. Which by the way is the best way to learn. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged!
stan
The last XP machine I serviced was old enough that the CD Drive had failed and I used the USB drive to move some files.
See if it will download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft and run it. The machine may not be worth saving if old enough.
See if it will download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft and run it. The machine may not be worth saving if old enough.
SOLUTION
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you might see removable drive in the boot options..
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It does sound like the laser in the drive is faulty, there are no built-in diagnostics in Windows to tell you this but you'll get the behaviour you're describing. Do you have another E-IDE DVD drive you can swap in to test?
Otherwise the Dim 3000 does support booting from a FAT32 bootable USB stick. To get the option the stick needs to be correctly formatted and bootable, inserted before startup and only then will it appear as an option in the F12 one-time boot order option.
Otherwise the Dim 3000 does support booting from a FAT32 bootable USB stick. To get the option the stick needs to be correctly formatted and bootable, inserted before startup and only then will it appear as an option in the F12 one-time boot order option.
ASKER
I had installed 2 "new" used DVD RW drives in place of the CDROM that was there.
As suggested, I disconnected one of them, set the other to Master and now Windows 7 is installing!
I should add that messing around with Windows XP in dealing with this just seemed like a convenient "platform" for debugging. But the point that this would not be a Windows XP problem (in view of the boot issue) was recognized.
Thanks all!
As suggested, I disconnected one of them, set the other to Master and now Windows 7 is installing!
I should add that messing around with Windows XP in dealing with this just seemed like a convenient "platform" for debugging. But the point that this would not be a Windows XP problem (in view of the boot issue) was recognized.
Thanks all!
>> As suggested, I disconnected one of them, set the other to Master and now Windows 7 is installing! <<
this can be caused by 2 things, if both were connected to the same cable :
- wrong setting (both M or S)
-the drive interface itself blocks the signal traffic = bad drive
this can be caused by 2 things, if both were connected to the same cable :
- wrong setting (both M or S)
-the drive interface itself blocks the signal traffic = bad drive
1. Close down all open programs
2. Open regedit.exe with Run as Administrator
3. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
4. There should be one of, or both of, UpperFilters and LowerFilters
5. Click on UpperFilters, Edit Delete
6. Click on LowerFilters, Edit Delete
7. Close down regedit trees and close regedit
8. Open Device Manager and Uninstall DVD / CD Drive
9. Shut Down
10. Restart and DVD / CD Drive should come back with auto discover
It is always possible the drive does not work and you can try a USB DVD drive. That will likely work.