Odd Windows XP hardware issue...

[Foosinho]

OK, so maybe somebody here can provide some insight...

I replaced a CDRW with a DVDRW in a Dell 2.5GHz here at work. Thing boots up, XP recognizes it, installs the drivers, and all is hunky-dory. Except I cannot read any discs. Commercial, audio, CDRW, DVDRW... nothing. I've cleaned out everything (all the old burning software, since I read that could cause a problem), reinstalled multiple times, and never once has Windows ever said there is any kind of conflict.

Now, here is where it gets interesting. The device manager shows the main hard drive as being connected to the primary IDE controller, and the DVD drive as being connected to the secondary IDE controller. However, if you bring up the drive properties from the My Computer screen and select the "Hardware" tab, the OS says the DVD drive is at "Location: Location 0 (0)", which is identical to the hard drive's location... and "0 (0)" is the location for the IDE Primary Master (at least, that's the only coding that makes any sense to me).

Any ideas on how to fix this damn problem? I don't want to end up destroying any of these 17" LCD monitors in a fit of rage...

[Foosinho]

OK, it seems it's not an OS problem, as I tried to boot an W2K install CD directly, and failed. So either the brand-spanking-new Sony DRU700A drive is bad, or it's got some gunk on the laser lens...

[stopper4]

Could be a motherboard chipset problem. You might need to download a new driver.

Could be an IDE or master/slave problem. Check your jumpers.

You might need to update your firmware on your new DVD writer. (I doubt this it , the thing's got to be pretty new).


Look at the properties of the IDE controller under my computer. I think I read something about it needing to be in 'PIO mode' or something like that once.

[Foosinho]

Could be a motherboard chipset problem. You might need to download a new driver.

Doubt it. The BIOS properly recognizes and identfies the drive. (It's a really new, powerful Dell.)

Could be an IDE or master/slave problem. Check your jumpers.

Been all over this angle already.

You might need to update your firmware on your new DVD writer. (I doubt this it , the thing's got to be pretty new).

Did this too. Believe it or not, there is already a firmware upgrade. Made no difference.

Look at the properties of the IDE controller under my computer. I think I read something about it needing to be in 'PIO mode' or something like that once.

Already tried PIO mode. Also made no difference.

I'm down to the basic conclusion that the drive is FUBAR straight out of the box. Working on securing an RMA number now...

[Chicago1871]

I hear baseball bats fix just about any technology issue. They work particularly well on fax machines.

http://acm.uwec.edu/images/tshirt/office_space_1.jpg

[Foosinho]

I was tempted. Believe me.

"PC Load Letter? What the fsck does that mean?!?!?!?!"

[Metros Striker10]

I hear baseball bats fix just about any technology issue. They work particularly well on fax machines.

http://acm.uwec.edu/images/tshirt/office_space_1.jpgPrinters also make nice "going away presents."