Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

CD_Rom and Drive MIA!

Nov 21, 2004 2:19AM PST

Specs:
HP PAVILION; Microsoft Windows ME (4.90, Build 3000);
BIOS: EPP revision 9.00; Processor: Intel Celeron, ~1102MHz; Memory: 510MB RAM; Primary File System: FAT32; DirectX 8.1 (4.08.01.0881); NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400; Crystal WDM Audio; Intel 82810 Chipset.

Some History:
It all started when the fan on my Power Supply fried out. Called around and was able to locate a mini-ATX at CompUSA to replace. Upon replacing the p/s myself, things started going screwy. It was as if the 82810 chipset tried to reset itself.(?) First I was only able to boot in Safe-Mode due to Windows Exceptions. A buddy came over and we found mass amounts of duplication in the Device Manager. Between some advanced work in coding and BIOS, deletion/removal of duplicate devices, and moving my Video Card to another slot, we were able to get me up and running again. However, it is not the same machine.

Primary Problem: Well, the title really speaks for itself, no? I have lost access to my CD-ROM and D: drive. The machine came with a HP CD-Writer Plus 8200 Series. The said drivers for the device don't appear anywhere on my machine. No controllers. Nada. I have two Unknown Devices listed under Other Devices in my Device Manager, but am at an utter loss on how to... do anything with them. If I try to remove them I am told that it "....is a part of a multi-function device, and cannot be removed independently." The multi-function parent is the 'Intel 82801AA Bus Master IDE Controller'. Tried swapping out the CD last night, but to no avail. Doesn't recognize it. There is power to the CD (opens, closes, appears to read, etc.) Just not in my profile. WHAT DO I DO!!!!!! Whaaaaaaaaa... I am SO frustrated.

Secondary Problems:
My cursor animation/desktop theme animation has dissapeared as well. They are there, just static (is that the word?). Norton Internet Security/Anti-Virus also is sketchy, not loading up when Windows load forcing me to manually load. Been through options and it should load at restart--but does not.

The rest of my programs seem to work fine. The computer seems to respond as it should except for these problems.

Praying for Guidance and Miracles from the Tech-Gods,
LadyFlashB

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: CD_Rom and Drive MIA!
Nov 21, 2004 3:12AM PST

you're cd and D: issues sound like driver problems.
i'm not to familiar with Win ME, but this should still work:

1connect to the internet
2open device manager
3do a right click on one of the offending pieces of hardware
4select "update driver"
5let windows search for and install new drivers if they are found
6repeat 3-5 for each offending hardware

if none of this brings back your d: thengo to the add hardware wizard and follow the steps it provides to try and install the drive

- Collapse -
Re: CD_Rom and Drive MIA!
Nov 21, 2004 3:58AM PST

Voltage jolts to the motherboard can cause various devices to go blooey.

I might try to move a cd drive off the present IDE channel and slave it to your hard drive. If it works there, your problem is likely with the IDE controller or the cable or both.