After trying numerous solutions and after browsing through similar topics on this forum, I was still unable to find a working solution. So I've decided to give it another shot by asking about it specifically here, since everyone here seems to know what they're talking about. Here's the problem:

Yesterday, my mouse just suddenly froze on me. So I hit the Reset button for lack of a better thing to do. After restarting the computer, I found the CD-ROM drive to be non-functional. I can open it and put in discs, but the drive simply won't read the discs. And when I try to manually access the drive, it says it's unavailable. However, when I put a disc in, it seems like it's trying to load or something because the computer freezes for about a minute and the green light flashes. When everything stops, though, I find the problem to still be there.

I can't work with any discs like this, so if anyone could help, it would be greatly appreciated. Please, ANY bit of advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the PC Guide,

I have had a similar experience with one of my CD drive and the only solution I could offer is to replace it. Search around and you can find many quality drives for $50 or less.

Hope this helps.

ER http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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I think, therefore I am -What the hell was I thinking?

This sounds more like a file or driver problem.
One of the best ways to get it to work again would be to restart your computer in Safe mode
The go into device manager and click the cd-rom drive icon .
On the bottom of the same panel is a remove button.
Just click it and allow windows to remove the drive and drivers.

Then restart the computer using the start shutdown restart

When Windows restarts it should find new hard ware and reinstall the drivers for the cd-rom

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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

I tried your solution about 4-5 times, but still no results...I notice now that usually the D drive appears in My Computer only when there's a disc in, but now it's there even if there isn't a disc...is there any hope left?

Ok, back up a little, are you saying that now since you uninstalled the Cd drive and let Windows find it a gain the drive icon for it shows up all the time?

Have you tried a disk in it now?

As far as I know the drive icon is supposed to be showing all the time.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Well, that always happened before. See, my computer's D drive doesn't activate unless there's a disc in. Looks like I'm going to have to take more dramatic measures...any ideas?

I for one am becoming more confused as to what is actually happening.


I notice now that usually the D drive appears in My Computer only when there's a disc in, but now it's there even if there isn't a disc

MJC-
Ok, back up a little, are you saying that now since you uninstalled the Cd drive and let Windows find it a gain the drive icon for it shows up all the time?
Have you tried a disk in it now?

As far as I know the drive icon is supposed to be showing all the time.



Your reply:
Well, that always happened before. See, my computer's D drive doesn't activate unless there's a disc in.


Are you talking about 2 separate issues: (1) That the drive icon was not showing up, and after your re-install...now it is showing up?
(2) With the icon now showing...the D drive does not activate until a disk is inserted?

Neither of my CDs operate until I insert a disk...sounds normal...unless the data is not being read.

In your original post you stated: I found the CD-ROM drive to be non-functional. However, you also stated that you could open and insert disks....apparently the drive itself, hardware, is functioning.

Did you follow MJC suggestion and insert a disk following the driver re-load? And, what happened?

Where's Solomon when you need him? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif



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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

Perhaps I should clear up some confusion. When I said my CD-ROM drive wasn't working, I wasn't referring to the actual drive hardware. Sorry about that. My D:\ drive usually only shows up when I insert a disc. But when it stopped functioning properly, it appeared all the time, and it still does. As for removing the drivers and rebooting, that didn't change anything. Now I notice that Windows loads a lot slower than it used to. I wonder if this has anything to do with it?

I was under the impression that after you removed and reinstalled the CD-ROM drivers that now the D drive icon is always present. Whereas, before it only appeared when you inserted a disk?

Have you tried removing and reinstalling the floppy disk controller in Device Manager. Remove in Safe Mode, then reboot and let Windows reinstall...it sure sounds like something has become corrupted.



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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

OK, I removed floppy controllers and CDROM, but still to no avail.

Without wishing to confuse the issue further, I have also had the very same problem majin poo. When I first boot-up, the cd clicks and whirrs and the led light flashes and sometimes it will work. Other times it won't..at all i.e. "drive not recognisable" messages everywhere. I tried to remove it from device manager and restart, using plug n play, but the drive wasn't recognised. So I manually loaded the drivers, but it still doesn't run properly. I replaced my 4x cd rom with this drive, 'cos I was having the same problem with that. So it must be something to do with the setup. One question, is your drive and add on, or did it come with your pc?

It came with my PC. I've had my PC since the summer of 95 and it's served me fine until now. I don't see how this problem could have even arose.

If you are running Windows 9x, then create a boot disk.
Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Startup Disk
Make sure that you are able to boot from a floppy drive.
Boot from the disk and choose option #1 to enable your CD drives.

The startup disk loads the CD drives using generic drivers.
If the startup disk can't find your CD drive(s) then your drive is hosed.

(This is presuming you haven't changed anything major like swapping cables, changed from master/slave, etc...)