I am new at this and NOT a computer genius so be gentle!! My computer is an old Compaq 5441 and I am using Windows 98. The computer is not recognizing that we have anything in the disk drive (The light does not come on). What should I do?

If in the BIOS setup the CD-drive isn't set to "none" [set all drives to "Auto"] and its IDE controller is enabled, then during startup, the BIOS will detect the presence of the CD or DVD drive .
You should see the LED on the drive blinking as they communicate.
If you don't see that blinking, then it's probably because there is no IDE cable connection between the motherboard and the drive.
Perhaps the cable isn't connecting well or at all because the plug has come out of the socket or the cable is bad.
What does the LED do?

You should be able to see on screen [hit "Esc" if there's a splash screen covering the info] the detection of your drives [among other things], including your "disk drive" [CD or DVD].
If it doesn't show, then it probably isn't detecting; if it does then all's well with the BIOS detection.
When you get into Windows, go to Device Manager and see if all's well there.
Is the drive displayed and is it "working normally"?
Is it connected to an on-board IDE controller or some other?
Is that working normally and do the drivers look ok?

Sylvander,
That post doesn't look gentle at all! :eek:

PC,
Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif !!!

When you first boot, look to see if your cd-rom is being detected. As mentioned, you may need to press Escape to get rid of the splash screen that may be hiding the device detection process during boot-up. This would be to see if your BIOS or CMOS sees the drive correctly. If so, Windows may need to renew the atapi drivers for it.

Once booted, go to Device Manager, highlight your cd-rom, right click, choose remove. Then reboot. This will force Windows to rediscover the drive if it is still functional. If this reboot fails to load the drivers, try another cd-rom dvd-rom or burner. be sure to duplicate the jumpers with the new one. Set it to master if you only have one optical drive on the secondary ide connector.

Post back if any more assistance is needed and to let us know if all went well.

"That post doesn't look gentle at all!"
I don't understand Ted; was I being too technical? :confused:

Somewhat. At this time we don't know if PC Frustrated knows how to enter setup to browse or do any changes to BIOS settings and a few other things you posted to try were not explained in a step by step manner.

My post was just the normal boot screens and maneuvering in Windows. We should wait until the poster replies for assistance or clarification before looking 'deeper' IMO. No biggie, I just don't want him(her) to feel intimidated. Frustrated is bad enough!! ;)

IN-TIM-ID-ATE-ED
To make timid/fearful.
Tim = fear

FRU-ASTER-ATE-ED
Frustum = "piece cut off"
Frutex = Shrub [something as if lopped/trimmed to keep it small]
If you frustrate a line of closely planted trees they become a hedge.
If you frustrate a county full of farmers they become a city full of wage earners.

Just passing the time until "PC Frustrated" gets back. :)

I think I had my Frustum removed when I was just a child... :eek:

Sorry PC, just clowning around. Let us know how you're coming along..

Robert Burns was "frustrated".

His motto [beneath a prickly holly bush (not a tree)] was:
"Better a wee bush than nae bield"
[a bield is shelter/protection/refuge.]

He hoped that when he was dead and buried his "Lang Hame" [Long Home] would be [unlike in life] big enough to give him full room to stretch out to his full extent.
He was Scotlands' Shakespear but was denied credit for his ability whilst alive [because of his opinions and beliefs].
Only after he was safely dead was his HUGE output of poems published [and the profits given to his widow].
[I read that American cattlemen did that: they would kill a competing sheep farmer and then pay his wife compensation.]
I heard of another author who ordered that all his unpublished works be destoyed at his death.
I take it he figured that if his work wasn't published [with suitable payment] before death, then no-one wouldn't get any of it afterward [sounds fair to me].

Do you think "PC Frustrated" has fallen into a deep sleep, or gone on holiday?