Dead CD drive

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B. Newman

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 5, 2001
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4,855
Loc
Kodak, Tn. USA
For all you techno whizes, could my cd drive just up and die without any warning or symptoms? I bought and installed QuickBooks in November without any problem. Then last week I got that free Wizard designing software and when I put it in the cd player, nothing happened. I first thought maybe I was supposed to do something to make it come on, but after talking with the Wizard people and my resident experts, (husband and 15 year old), and trying other cds we have decided it's the cd drive. It won't even play an audio cd. It won't recognize that anything is in there.

It's hard for me to believe that it could just "die" without any symptoms. But then again, I don't know a whole lot about the workings of computers.

Advice?

Betty
 
Betty,

This is a litle more up Jerry V's alley, but, while we're waiting, how 'bout a little more info? For starters, what operating system are you using (e.g. Windows 98) Also, is the CD reader external (connected with a cable) or internal (built in.) Did it come with the computer or did you add it on?

What we're trying to find out is if there is a mechanical problem or a software problem. The autostart function could be disabled - that's easy to fix.

I will anxiously await your response.

Ron
 
Thanks Ron. We bought it in 1999. It's a Compaq Pisario(sp?) (I am on a different computer right now) It's Windows 98. The CD is internal and it came with the computer. It is a CD/DVD thing. We've never used the DVD. We didn't have a clue when we bought it. We just sorta explained to the guy how we wanted to use it, and he gave us what we needed(?).

My husband works with and on huge computer systems (SAP, AS400, STRATUS and all those kinds of words.) But he doesn't have a lot of experience with PCs. That was always someone elses job.

We put it in, and went to My Computer and clicked on F Drive (with the cd icon) and it says not accessable/ not ready, no matter what kind of cd is in it.

And that's about all I know.

Betty
 
Anything's possible. I bought two identical "Pisarios" (thanks, I like the spelling) in '99. Tried them out, recorded a CD on each, and handed one of the computers over to the kids. Since then they've recorded hundreds of CDs. I tried mine a few months ago and nothing would get it to work. Plugged in a new CD drive and now it works. I'm on a Mac now and loving it.
 
Anything's possible. I bought two identical "Pisarios" (thanks, I like the spelling) in '99. Tried them out, recorded a CD on each, and handed one of the computers over to the kids. Since then they've recorded hundreds of CDs. I tried mine a few months ago and nothing would get it to work. Plugged in a new CD drive and now it works. I'm on a Mac now and loving it.
 
Sorry Betty I’m no help, and definitely not on “Compaq’s”!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have a overstated leaning for the other BIG (now # 1) computer box company

The computer manufacturers have being stating that there will be a recovery in their stock later this year and that one of the driving factors will be the three year replacement cycle, could there be built in obsolescence, three years since Y2K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry Betty I could not resist this one, good luck with sorting the problem.

Check what warranty you got when you bought the computer they may have sold you a three year upgrade on warranty or it could have been part of the deal, call Compaq’s tech. support and check it out you will need the TAG number of the computer(or whatever Compaq call the #) for them to check, Compaq are a good company and will sort the problem for you.
 
Betty,

Here's somethng you can try that might yield some clues:
</font>
  • Right-click on My Computer </font>
  • Choose Properties from the pop-up menu </font>
  • Click on the Device Manager tab </font>
  • If CDROM is listed (toward the top - the list is alphabetical) expand the list by clicking on the plus sign </font>
  • If your CDROM is listed, highlight it and click on the Properties button toward the bottom of the window </font>
  • On the General tab, there is a box that says Device Status. If you got this far, what does it say in this box? </font>
(I used to play this game with my kids on their birthdays. I'd hide little gifts all over the house with notes about where to find the next one. That's how they got their exercise)
If your CD drive is bad, it's not expensive to replace, so don't panic.
 
Betty,
Sorry,its now Monday morning about 9:00 am and I thought I'd just check in. Need to go teach class this morning, but will be back on line after 1:30 or 2. So far Ron is right on on what to check first. Secondly what type of system is the Pissario (Other than the operating system) Pentium I,II Speed etc. I've seen this happen before and then suddenly start working again, there are several things to check, and we'll have to do it in steps. I'd like you to watch the screen when the computer first boots up and see if it sees the CDROM. There are a bunch of things going on at first when the computer boots, it checks for Hard drives memory and the like, depending on the age of the Motherboard it also auto finds the CDRom. It does it pretty close to right at first when it's checking for drives. Also did Compaq send you a setup disk for the cd/dvd? As Saint said it ain't hard to replace, but it's better if you don't have to.
 
Sorry, Betty, but you're just going to have to stop framing and caning for a while and devote your full attention to addressing all these questions. Like: Has your PC been moved since the last time you used the CD drive? Sometimes cables come loose. I just spent $75 to have a technician reseat a loose processor 'cause I didn't think to check that. That PC was in my son's room, so heaven knows what kind of abuse it's gone through!

Ron
 
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