computer will not boot from Windows CD 1

[bjtechjmf]

I've got a Dell Laptop I'm trying to boot from the Windows CD but it doesn't read it. From Windows Explorer, it can't even access the contents of the CD. I can hear it spinning and but nothing ever happens. The computer will read other CDs, music and data so I know the CD drive is working. I've put this Windows CD into 2 other computers and it reads it fine so I know there is nothing wrong with the CD.

In the device manager, I noticed the region for the CD drive wasn't selected. I thought that was it but after selecting the appropriate region and rebooting, still nothing.

Any ideas?

 

[rclarke250]

Windows vista is a dvd, could it be that you don't have a dvd drive in the laptop, just a cd/cdrw?

 

[bjtechjmf]

I checked that, it is a DVD RW drive.

However, you suggested made me realize that I hadn't tried another DVD in this drive, only music and data CDs. The drive will not read the other DVD either. So for some reason the drive will read CDs but not DVDs.

Although I'm still stumped, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[linney]

Have you tried this Fixit tool from Microsoft?


Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems

 

[wolluf]

So for some reason the drive will read CDs but not DVDs"

Seen this often - you just need to replace the DVD drive (not expensive) - DVD functionality dead, CD functionality ok.

 

[bjtechjmf]

Linney: I tried the fixit tool but the computer kept freezing on me due to hard drive issues. I'm trying to get Vista installed on a new HD when I ran into this problem.

I ended up creating a bootable flash drive and getting Vista installed on the new HD that way. However, the drive will still only read CDs and not DVDs. So, I agree with wolluf, bad drive.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and help.

 

[linney]

Probably so, but check the wiring connections (both ends) before condemning the drive.

 

[rclarke250]

it's a laptop, there is no wiring. port on back of dvd drive plugs into port soldered on motherboard.

 

[kjv1611]

rclarke250, ALL laptop hard drive connectors aren't soldered on... well, on the mobo side, maybe, I forget, but on the hard drive side, some are in place, unmovable, while others are definitely cables/wires. It's not an all-or-none type of deal. I've not thought to remember about ALL the laptops I've seen, but I know I've seen it both with and without cables in various machines.

 

[rclarke250]

For hard drives, yes, there are some that have small cables. Sager and a few Toshiba being a few. But this is a dvd drive, and no I have never in 20 years of working on laptops, seen a cd/dvd drive that had a cable that connected it to the main board. Sometimes there is an interposer card, that acts to either lengthen the connector, or change it to the style connector on the motherboard, but these are not cables, and either screw on the back of the drive itself, or are mounted to the chassis with screws.
I have several laptops in my lab that are taken apart and not one of them have a cable for a drive. The optical drives are made in a way as to be easily removed, with out having to do a tear down of the laptop. They have a screw or a latch system holding them in, for easy replacement.
It may not be all, but I would guess it was greater than 90% of all drives in laptops do not have a cable connecting them to the motherboard.

 

[kjv1611]

Whoops.... forgot we're talking about an optical drive, not hard drive.

Oh well..

 

[linney]

kjv1611,

Don't feel too bad about your error, I myself forgot we were talking about a Laptop, the original subject from "bjtechjmf" mentions CD drive, not DVD, with so many mistakes it is a wonder that we solve anything in this Forum, but it is a wonderful example of being Human.