cd-rom problems

[jediwarrior]

I have a Compaq Deskpro pc, with two cd's in it. The problem is that I can see only one of them when I go into 'My Computer'.
Why is that? Is the other cd-rom being a door knob?

Is there any way to make it work again, like reloading something? I have no warranty on it anymore. I can put a cd in it, and the light comes on, but then it goes off and nothing happens. I can only see the D: drive. This is a second hand pc and everything works great in it except the one cd-rom, so i have no original cd's with it.

Thanks,

Jediwarrior

 

[stormbind]

--- Software ---

First thing to do is check in the device manager to see if it is installed.

Right click My Computer, select Properties and switch to the Device Manager (or Hardware) tab.

Expand the Device Manager trees and take a look around; see if both drives are listed.

If it's missing from there too then check the hardware..

--- Hardware ---

Just after POST (Power On Self Test) when you first switch on the PC, there should be a table showing the connected devices. This will tell you if the BIOS detected them both, or if there is a hardware problem.

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Memoria mihi benigna erit qui eam perscribam

 

[masterchicker]

Check the IDE cable and Power supply if it is securely installed. Your power supply might not be enough. What is the rating of your power supply?

It could also be a faulty cdrom drive. Some cd drives just die down through time.

 

[VacuumTubeEra]

I had exactly the same thing happen on a Dell Pentium II machine two years ago. As masterchicker says, the problem turned out to be a power supply that was too small. The easy solution - disconnect or remove one of the cd drives. Since then, I have not found any reason (for everyday use) to have two CD drives - one is just find, even to make a copy of a CD.