CDROM on its last legs?

[rgstewart]

My CDROM has just started causing problems ... after 5 odd years. For a start, Windows ME recongnises it okay, and says it is working fine. But when I insert a CD (and I have tried a number of different CDs, trust me) nothing happens. I try to open the CDROM drive through My Computer and get a message saying 'please insert disc in drive E:', even though there is one already in E:.

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I recently installed an Iomega Zip 100 Plus - serial zip drive working through a parallel to serial converter (I think).

If anyone can throw any suggestions my way as to how I can figure out if it's a machine fault with the CDROM drive, or just a Windows configuration screw up, I would be immensely happy.

Cheers.

_____________________________________________________
Knowledge is attained only by seeking out that which is unknown

 

[rockerfellerz]

You could try a new cable on it or at least detatch the one you have and then reattatch it making sure you get a good connection. The lens could be dirty and need a cleaning. Or it could be toast! The good news is that they are very cheap now,
52x for 38 dollars Canadian.....

If you're going through Hell...keep going... (Winston Churchill)
RocKeRFelLerZ

 

[rgstewart]

The cable's fine - if it wasn't the CDROM drive wouldn't be recognised (I tried disconnecting and re-attaching it anyways - no joy). Good point about the lense ... didn't think of that! But as you pointed out, CDROMs are cheap ... I found one from Samsung online today for £11. Might as well get the speed upgrade than buy a lense-cleaning kit!

Thanks for your help.

_____________________________________________________
Knowledge is attained only by seeking out that which is unknown

 

[diogenes10]

I have a 2 samsung rw's - a 24 and a 32. My cd useage is light but they've worked ok for me so far (6 months or so).

 

[rgstewart]

Cool - that's good to know. I ordered the drive last night ... should have it in a couple of days. Then we shall see what we shall see

_____________________________________________________
Knowledge is attained only by seeking out that which is unknown

 

[BadBigBen]

rgstewart, just because your drive gets recognized doesn't garantee that your cable is ok! had this happen to me... cable was bad and no cd was recognixed even though the drive was...

but as you stated you found a good deal, the new drive for $11, that should fix your problem... suggest you use a new cable anyhow, just to eliminate any faults... and be sure to jumper the new drive like the old one...

Ben