i have this computer which has a cd-writer...here is my proble : when i switch my pc on and logon into my account >in my computer i don't see the cd - writer Rom...\n\nbut when i go check it from bios it's there...i have changed the Ide cable, didn't work...went into safe mode, nor too...removed bios battery, didn'r work changed there placese from master to slave and vice versa but still not workin...
216541
Bollox,  all your answers are Bollox, Except one. I'm not being abusive, but look at the state of it! A Mess.. the guy asked for information to help solve the problem, not to be told to reinstall Windows!\n\nROX has the best answer here, by far. I mean, It's helpful for god's sake!\n\nGeeze...
471665
I think it's a mechanical problem you are facing. Is your CD Burner able to read a CD contents?? If yes then there is some problem in writing head. Try to restart your machine and load again Nero see wheather it runs... Otherwise you have to call the Vendor for CD Burner to short out the mechanical problems
660441
While using the computer, you may have accidentally disabled the driver or deleted it. The main question is did this drive come with the PC or did you buy it extra? If it came with the PC,and you dont have the driver in a disk, right click My Computer and click properties. Go to the Hardware Profiles tab and see if you can find the drive. If you do, see if you can install the driver from there. If the drive is bought and added on, try re-installing the driver through Add/Remove Hardware with your CD. If none of these methods work, turn off your PC, unplug drive, and plug it in 20 seconds later. Now restart the PC and hopefully a message will appear showing a new hardware is found.\n\nIf your friend was playing with the bios, he may have disabled the drive. Upon startup of your PC, enter Setup (usually pressing DEL) and check to see all of your drives are present. If that doesnt work as well, try a system restore for a time you had it, (this is however annoying if you did other system changes.).
73949
Ok, that's a "classic" problem, I guess...\n\nI have two solutions...\n\n1) If the CD that you are trying to access is burned, then it's a good chance that the CD was not burned properly. "Not burned properly" could mean one of two things: it wasn't finalized (which really only affects audio CD players) or that the information was not burned to the CD. If the CD wasn't finalized (which shouldn't cause a problem for a computer since multi-session discs which allow you to add data to a CD more than one time play fine "un-finalized") you should re-open the program that you used to burn the CD and finalize it. I am unsure which program you may have used, but the terminology of "finalize" could also be "close session" or something to the effect of "don't allow any more writing of data." \n\n2) You should replace your DVD writer (you said that you had a combo drive?). You don't have to replace the entire computer...that's preposterous and like treating a sore thumb with amputation of the arm. The beauty of computers is their modular make up, where if one thing goes wrong, or becomes obselete, you can just replace that. Don't feel like you were misused by the store or company; these things are made in factories at high rates by machines that may make mistakes from time to time. To me it isn't worth it to try to get it repaired because these things are so accessible to the average joe, that you could probably buy one for less than it would cost to get fixed. \n\nIn the end, computer "problems" are really computer solutions waiting to happen. The more problems that you have and fix, the more you learn...until finally you need no one's help. The next thing that you know, you'll be finding computers to fix...you might even get into computer tweaking and overclocking...\n\nBut let's get the drive right first...:=)\n\nHope that helps...!
153701
OK, this is not going to be easy..but I am going to assume that you  do not use a CD Burning Program, just the resident Windows XP burning software?\n\nOpen some documents and try to save them to a NEW Blank CD, if this works then  we know it is not the CD Drive.\n\nTry downloading a trial version of one of the recognized CD Burner Programs, like Nero to see if it recognizes your burner.\n\nHave you updated any System Drivers with windows Update since it last worked? Maybe it corrupted your drive...\n\nCan you/Did you update the firmware of your CD Burner?\n\nTry www.Driverguide.com if you can not find any on the manufacturer's website.\n\nIn the Hardware/Device Manager Screen does the Windows XP Software see the drive as a CD/R/W  Drive?\n\nLastly ...as simple as it might sound... check the connections in side the PC, they might have come loose.
446972
Ok ever think the hard drive might be bad? Maybe the cd-rom is messed up.Also legitimate copies of windows are suggested and burnt cd's are frowned upon.However that being said id look into the hard drive being damaged. Sounds to me like the boot sector of the disk may be damaged.
54210
First make sure that the drive is pinned correctly on the back - if you have two drives hooked up to the ribbon cable it's set to either master or slave, master for the the end of the cable, slave for the middle. You may also want to try the Cable Select (although generally for legacy compatibility) option. Since you said it shows up correctly in the bios those settings may not be the issue, but are something to consider.\n\nAlso, you'll want to check that it shows up in the device manager. Like Dusty said, check to see if it just needs a driver installed (although I've yet to see a cd rom drive that needs actual hardware drivers for even basic functionality).\n\nMy hunch is that the drive is bad. I've had it happen before where I've had a bad drive show up in the bios and not function properly in windows. The easiest way to check this is to plug it into another computer and see if the drive works in that computer.
480871
This MAY be listed under properties, or in the "device manager".\n\nSOME OS's do NOT have this option, and SOME CD drives "firmware" does not "permit" this option. (They spin ONLY when there is a disc in them, and for a "set" time if not being accessed!!)\n\nYou could ALSO check in the BIOS settings. (I have found it THERE once or twice.)
671864
Sorry, but there is no easy solution to this. If your computer does not recognize the CD drive on the docking bay, then that just means the connection from your CD drive on your docking bay to your computer is not working correctly.\n\nI would try to do a hardware add from the control panel. There is a chance that you just need to do a scan on your computer to recognize the Cd drive on the docking bay. Or you might need to go to your BIOS setup from the initial reboot screen and you might have to set it up in there. Normally you hit F2 or F8 from the reboot screen and it lets you enter your system configuration BIOS setup screen. You will need to see if you can find your Drive in there from your docking bay and you might need to set it up so that it reads from the docking bay instead of trying to locate it in your internal system.\n\nIf both methods do not work, then I would just take it to a technician and he can tell you if there is a hardware problem.
646344
You may have a driver problem......\nI should've asked that same question, a month ago.\nTry going to Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.\nLook for your CD Driver, and Remove it from your Computer.\n(Don't worry),. After that, Restart your computer.\nThe computer will regonize a "new" piece of hardware in your system.  The Install Wizard should activate, follow the directions,\nand Restart Computer, just to be safe.  Good Luck
183878
Try rebooting your workstation first. Go to Add/Remove programs and look for your Create CD program and remove that way.  Netzero software should not interfere with CD writing programs.
245532
you have to change your bios to boot from your CD.  When you computer starts up pay attention to the bottom of your screen.  It should say something like press Del to enter setup or press F2 to enter setup.  Whatever key it says to press, press it when you see those instructions.  Then you have to find the area in your bios that says boot order or boot.ini and go there.  It will probably be set up to boot Floppy, Hard Drive, CDrom.  You have to change the order so that CDrom is the first option.  That means your computer will use your CD to startup and not your floppy or hard drive.  SO, change it to CDrom first and then save your settings.  Restart your computer and it will say Press any key to boot from CD... then press any key.  After that, follow the instructions and your good to go.  \n\nDon't forget to change your bios back to the original Startup order.  Floppy, hard drive, cdrom.  Good luck!
265950
Hi,\n\nI think you are a dead duck!\nAnyways, you can try guest account to get data (only if you saved the data in any other folder except My Documents and the rest)\n\nYou can also try to boot your PC with another operating system such as Windows 98 bootable (works only if you have FAT32 partition)\n\nIf you have a PC that can be used to write CDs I strongly recommend that you download the ISO image file I have referred to in sources section.\n\nAll the information on how to reset the Admin password is given in the documentation. But I will brief you here.\n\nJust download this file. Extract it using WINZIP. Write the ISO Image on to a CD. Do not drag this file to CD. Choose write ISO image. Come to this PC, insert the CD and boot from CD. Follow the instruction as given in the website. \n\nYou can try Bart PE. Gives you an alternate entry in your PC. It is a Operating System that runs from the CD itself. Just go to the website and you will know what i am talking about.\n\nI am sure, you can recover all your data/reset the password.\n\nCheers!
143020
Introduction:\n\nThere are thee different parts to a hard disk installation. You need to physically install the disk, tell the computer it has a new hard disk and finally configure the disk to work with your operating system. All of these points will be covered in detail. \n\nSetting the jumpers:\n\nOkay, so you need to get inside your PC, unscrew the screws that are holding the thing together. These are normally found around the edges of the back of the case. The number of screws can range from 2 to 6 screws, and all of them need to be out to gain access to your base unit. \n\nOnce inside, you will see a heap of cables and a lot of circuit boards, now don’t be scared, you can do this!\n\nRight, we need to prepare the hard disk. Take it out of any packaging it may have, and look carefully at the label on top. There should be a section on this label concerning jumper settings, these are very important. If you are installing the new hard disk and removing the old one, you can ignore this setting. However, if you are adding the new hard disk to the existing one, you need to change the jumper settings to slave. The jumper is a small piece of plastic with 2 metal contacts inside to connect two pins together. It is usually located next to the IDE and power cable connectors on one side of the hard disk. It will be set to Master as default, you need to look at the label on the top side of the hard disk and find out where you need to place the jumper to set it to slave mode.\n\nIDE Channels:\n\nOkay, lets talk IDE channels. This is where it can get a little complicated. There is a ribbon cable plugged into the back of your original hard disk. There should be one other connector on the cable, this may already be connected to your CD Rom drive/DVD drive or CD Writer. If not, just plug in the spare ide connector and away we go. Move onto section 2.\n\nOkay, so, if you’ve got a CD Rom drive/DVD drive or CD Writer, we need to utilise the other IDE connector on the motherboard. You should have had another IDE cable supplied with your CD rom drive. This will plug in on the motherboard directly above/below where your first IDE cable is located. It will only go in one way, so be careful as there are pins involved that if broken will render your computer useless. Once connected, we need to decide where we want to put things. \n\nFor CD rom drives, I would place the CD rom drive on the second IDE channel (set as master) and the extra hard disk set as slave (see above) on the first IDE channel. I will write another guide about choosing the best IDE channels for your peripherals later.\n\nBios Settings:\nOkay, so now you’ve physically connected your drive, its time to tell the bios that we have a new hard disk. You need to enter the bios (basic input output setup) when you boot up your computer, this is usually done by pressing del, F1 or F2 when prompted, around the time when the system is checking RAM. \n\nOnce in, you will be greeted with the familiar blue screen. Most motherboards have an IDE autodetection option, you need to select this by using the arrow keys and selecting with the enter key. \n\nThen you need to select autodetect and select your drive as and when it finds it. \n\nThen, save settings and exit the bios.\n\nPreparing the disk for use:\n\nOkay, now to configure the hard disk. The easiest way to do this is to use FDISK (fixed disk utility) You need to drop into dos mode for this, once there, type FDISK and press enter. \n\nYou will have a menu. At the top of the menu, it will say current fixed disk 1 or something, you need to change to fixed disk 2 – just select change disk and select your new drive (should be fixed disk 2). Now, just to double check, we need to select display partition information, there should be nothing there. If there are partitions defined, you have selected the wrong hard disk. \n\nNow, you need to make a new primary dos partition, select this option from the menu, it will ask if you want to make it
635182
If the bios is set to boot the CD ROM-possibly the harddrve has died.  If the hardrive isn't spinning on bootup the computer isn't going to find the operating system. I might try another version of linux before purchasing another hd.  \nIs the windows xp cd really a dvd and the computer only a cd rom?
490369
has he got his bios set to boot from CD?\nIf the machines are the same make eg both compaq, it should be ok\nor use your CD and ring microsoft to activate.\nif the story is true, this too is ok\nif cd is broken - contact microsoft for replacement
365145
If any thing you need the mobo drivers! There are very few cdrom units that need a driver! They are all plug and play! I,m thinkin you need to reinstall the mobo drivers if the unit isnt seeing the cdrom or the cdrom itself is defunct!