D:\ is not accessible...I/O device error

[UserJB]

Recently I began re-building an old Gateway PC, the PC included a "Toshiba dvd-rom sd-m1202" but, I wanted tos add a "samsung cd-r/rw sw-248f" as a slave. I set up my hardware and installed Windows 2000 Pro. When Windows finnished installing the DVD-ROM works great but if when I try to use the slaved CD-RW I recive the following error message: "D:\ is not accessible, The request could not be proformed because of an I/O device error"

I have tried various methods such as:

I swapped drive position (master & slave)
I checked jumper setting on both the DVD & the CD-RW drives
I updated the driver on the Samsung CD-RW
I replaced ribbon/sail cable
I checked ribbon/sail cable's connection

 

[micker377]

Will it work with the original Toshiba dvd-rom sd-m1202 drive?

 

[G0AOZ]

Does each drive work on the secondary interface on its own, i.e. with the other drive disconnected? Check any possible issues with dodgy Molex 4-pin power connector. If they work individually but not together in a Master/Slave combination, then the two drives are probably incompatible. Change one of the drives...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[UserJB]

TO: G0AOZ,

the CD-RW doesn't work on this PC as slave or master even if it is the only drive hooked up, yet I know that the CD-RW drive is not faulty. Also the DVD-ROM works 100% on this PC. I am starting to wonder if this is a Firmware Issue.

and yes there is a posibility that the two drives are incompatible.

-UserJB

 

[UserJB]

can anyone give futher input?...

I am still in need of advice on the "how-to's & don'ts" of firmware or if the issue is a firmware problem.

Also, I cannot seem to locate a site that will list compatibillity facts on my two drives, any links would be greatly appreciated.

-UserJB

 

[G0AOZ]

Does the Gateway PC show a POST screen indicating what it's found? Often this screen will list HDD's as well as CD's etc. Does it show your CD-RW?

What about going into the BIOS itself? Any auto-detect feature for drives? Again, does it show what it's detected within the BIOS?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[UserJB]

yes, and yes the CD-RW shows itself in both places and is listed by name... during post.

I'll need to check to see what the BIOS calls it I do know that the BIOS are set to AUTO Detect for both DVD-ROM and the CD-RW.

The CD-RW is listed in Device Manager by name too, and shows as a fully working drive in the OS.

A quick setting change in BIOS may be the key that I over looked.

I sure hope so, I can do that!

thanks,

-UserJB

 

[G0AOZ]

Ok, that's good it shows up in the BIOS and POST screen. By all means experiment with the BIOS settings for this device - you've got nothing to lose! As regards Windows, device manager is obviously seeing a drive there in order to allocate it the letter D: but maybe it's not being detected properly. When you select D: and there's a CD in the drive, can to hear drive activity whilst it starts an attempt at reading it? I suggest you boot up the machine with just this one drive on the secondary i/face, delete the drive in Device Manager, and invite it to "Scan for Hardware Changes". You wouldn't normally expect to have to put in drivers for this sort of device...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[UserJB]

I took your advice, (G0AOZ)

"I suggest you boot up the machine with just this one drive on the secondary i/face, delete the drive in Device Manager, and invite it to Scan for Hardware Changes."

and...

Still no go!

The Drive makes a nomal spinning sound. Any and all Changes that I made in the BIOS (setting AUTO to CD-ROM) had no effect.


-UserJB

 

[G0AOZ]

You've checked pretty much everything else, so I'm wondering if the BIOS in this Gateway is just not able to cope with this drive. Check to see if there is any BIOS update for this motherboard.

Just as an experiment, try setting this CD-RW as first boot device, put in your Windows CD (W2K or XP) and see if it will boot off it.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[UserJB]

I went to Gateway.com and found this:

http://support.gateway.com/s/issues/151807090.shtml

I have not tried it yet, but I did download the file. This is for a SCSI, my PC uses an IDE hard drive.

I didn't find a BIOS update... on Gateway.com, I wonder if it can be found elsewhere? I'll look more tomarrow. According to a model number search, Gateway says my PC uses a: "Jabil BX Motherboard w/ Integrated Audio"

Motherboard Specs...

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/m00402/M0040202.shtml

and to answer your question: "Just as an experiment, try setting this CD-RW as first boot device, put in your Windows CD (W2K or XP) and see if it will boot off it."

it failed on two accounts:
1. it still booted normally
2. although the CD-RW is listed by name in the BIOS as an IDE drive in the boot sequence menu I see only one
"ACAPI CD ROM DRIVE" which reinforces your BIOS theory.

-UserJB

 

[G0AOZ]

I doubt the file you downloaded would help unless you have an Adaptec BIOS either on the motherboard or on an add-in adaptor card. Not familiar with your setup, but I'll assume you have neither, particularly as you say the HDD is IDE.

If the Gateway website doesn't list a BIOS upgrade, see if you can locate the motherboard manufacturer's site - just possible there might be something there. Or even an FAQ detailing your problem, if you're lucky!

If the BIOS does indeed allow booting from a CD, then it is a little surprising that the boot sequence doesn't exactly reflect what the BIOS has actually found. Can you try that experiment again, but have the HDD disconnected or a blank unformatted drive cabled in. Sometimes the BIOS will demand user input to boot to a CD, i.e. a "Press any key to boot from CD" message often appears. User failure to respond results in normal boot to FDD or HDD...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[UserJB]

I'll keep looking, but so far I'm unable to find an upgrade to my "phoenix BIOS 4.0 Release 6.0" even at phoenix's BIOS update page. I've noticed a lot of people in search of "phoenix BIOS 4.0 Release 6.1" though.


-UserJB

 

[UserJB]

I'll might still look some more but...

A) I can't find the BIOS I need
B) I'm thinking that a diffrent CD-RW or maybe even a DVD-RW drive would be better than risking my BIOS

I am sure another drive will work, I plan to buy a new one with the drivers, the Samsung CD-RW was a used drive that I pulled from a Dell PC, which is why I think that the drive is incompatible.

And A Big Thank you to G0AOZ, your help led me to a conclution I That I can be happy with.

-UserJB

 

[G0AOZ]

You're welcome - only sorry I couldn't offer a fix for this problem...

ROGER - G0AOZ.