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

Dell Dimension 2400 not recognizing CD or DVD drives?

Sep 28, 2009 2:38AM PDT

I have tried everything I can think of. Both drives physically work, they light up, open, take discs in and spin, but 'My Computer' shows nothing other than floppy A: and C:.

I have tried switching the jumpers from CS (Where they were) to MA for DVD (top) and SL for CD (bottom) per someone's advice, this did nothing. I replaced them back on CS (both)...again, nothing.

I've even been brave enough to unplug the IDE while the computer was running and replugging it to see if anything happened...nothing.

Could reinstalling Windows fix the problem, or is a more likely explanation that the IDE cable or port is bad? Or other?

Much appreciated!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
See this other similar discussion.
Sep 28, 2009 11:31PM PDT
- Collapse -
still need help
Sep 29, 2009 12:44AM PDT

I followed the link you gave me, and clicked the microsoft link w/in that posting. Once I got to the microsoft support page, I clicked the 'fix it myself' link and followed the directions for Windows XP.

Once I got into the registry, and followed the steps as directed, I found no "UpperFilters" OR "LowerFilters" listed! So I could not continue as those directions said to.

I have spent 5 days emailing different people and physically unhooking and switching jumpers and cables and it gets me nowhere but in circles. If BIOS says the CD-ROM drive isn't installed (which is what it says) how can I install it via a web download? Is that possible?

- Collapse -
If BIOS says the CD-ROM drive isn't installed (which is what
Sep 29, 2009 1:48AM PDT

"If BIOS says the CD-ROM drive isn't installed (which is what it says) how can I install it via a web download? Is that possible?"

That's more info and helpful. Remember that IDE ports can be disabled by doing things like adding some SATA drive (long story so I stop here) or changes in the BIOS settings to an outright failure of the IDE port, cable or the drives.

Try simple. Just the one drive as CS (that's how 99% of the Dells come set) and on the Master connection. Be sure that it's all hooked up and after booting the door opens and closes. If it doesn't show in the BIOS there are only 3 parts in play here. Motherboard, cable and drive. I change these from the lowest cost to the highest cost part.

If you did add some SATA drive and not tell, then why this happens is far too long for me to type here.
Bob

- Collapse -
confused
Sep 29, 2009 8:00AM PDT

"Try simple. Just the one drive as CS (that's how 99% of the Dells come set) and on the Master connection."

Not following you here. Are you saying to set the CD RW drive to CS on jumper, and then connect the farthest plug of the IDE cable to it, and completely bypass the middle connector and the other DVD drive?

If that's not what you mean, please explain.

And thank you thus far!

- Collapse -
That's what I mean.
Sep 30, 2009 1:14AM PDT

So no explaining needed.