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General discussion

CD Drive not Recognized Sometime After Restart

by szn9rg Feb 1, 2009 5:39AM PST

I have a Compaq Presario with a Celeron CPU 2.53 GHz and 504 MB of Ram. I use Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3. I know its a old machine but does what I need it to do. My computer has done this for a long time but I'm getting sick of having to restart the system to access CD drive. When system initially boots up the CD drive will open and close just fine but sometime later (not sure exactly how much later, (hours of 1-2 days) the door won't open by pushing button or sticking pin in small hole. If I go to My computer it doesn't even show the CD drive. What could be causing this? Thanks in advance.

PS When the door does open, My Computer does recognize the drive

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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My thoughts.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Feb 1, 2009 6:27AM PST
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Puzzled
by szn9rg Feb 1, 2009 11:49PM PST

I understand about cleaning the actual drive but why would it work at startup or after a restart and then not work or even make any noises at some later point in time whwn trying to access it. At this point My Computer doesn't even show the drive as a directory. Like it didn't exist(if I restart it will work and show the drive in My Computer) Thanks

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(NT) I didn't write about cleaning just the drive.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Feb 2, 2009 12:35AM PST
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Tried cleaning
by szn9rg Feb 3, 2009 2:03AM PST

I cleaned everything as link had said to do but still have problem. After cleaning, I restarted the system and CD drive worked OK. (Opened up OK and drive showed up on My Computer). I tried again midday the next day (today) and drive wouldn't open by pressing button or paper clip in front of drive. Drive also wasn't shown in My Computer. I restarted again and drive was once again OK and showed up in My Computer. I could try a new drive but if it were a faulity drive , I would think it should do it all the time shouldn't it?

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These drives are 20 bucks.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Feb 3, 2009 2:28AM PST

And that is exactly why I'll swap them out early. The lost time futzing with an old drive is not worth it to me.

In closing, leave the case cover off since an aging drive can be heat sensitive.

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Just in case.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Feb 3, 2009 2:39AM PST
Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

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