PC Can`t See DVD Drives

thanks for your reply ........because i had two different operating systems on the same pc .do you think this has messed up the bios or something from seeing the dvd drives , i realy don`t want to wipe the original C drive i have lots of good stuff on it ,it would be great to get the drives working again somehow

I've seen entire PCs go down and into the bin over a melt down so yes, it is possible.

I use simple tests of drives with USB cases and other desktops when I need such a test.

thanks again ,are you saying i can test the dvd drives.

Hi there,i tested the drives on another pc and they are working ok.the motherboard is a Biostar TA77OE

Set the bios to defaults...test
Use the bios clear jumper...test.

You don't need a hdd for the bios to see the dvd's so use the sata data cable from the hdd and connect it to one of the dvd's....test.

By the way ,i forgot to mention that the dvd drives are IDE connectors ,i do have a sata dvd however in another machine if needs be

I read SATA so I wrongly thought these were something from the last decade.

IDE is PITA and can be a PITR.

So jumper as a Single, Master and check you BIOS as to the enabling of IDE and well, today the mixed motherboards with IDE and SATA are going to send most techs to ruin. Or have them tell you the board is dead.

IDE is kind of fragile so a meltdown on SATA could have severe impacts.

I would test these drives one at a time on any other system or USB case.

Remember that DVDRW drives are so cheap now, it's not worth the repair counter.

the IDE cable had loosened where it was attached to the MB ,everything is ok apart from me ,i`m so sorry it was a terrible coincidense ,the meltdown ,loading a new OS ,loose cable and me ,mix them all together and you get one big **** up .thanks vey much for your time anyway . all the best. and as in Schwarzenegger`s famous last words sorry but "i`ll be back"

One of your classics. Thanks again.

the sata power plug that melted was one of a pair linked together that was plugged into a molex plug the other one also melted six month ago or so ,i didn`t know the plugs got that hot ,so i`m putting it down to them probably being cheap n faulty ,fingers crossed that is the problem ,but i will keep my eye on it and not leave it on unattended .

Many of the Y-splitter power plug items tend to be cheaply made. I've seen them using smaller gauge wire in place of what was an older larger gauge used before. In a demanding situation such as power needs, YES the wires can melt or droop causing problems. If the same gauge as the PSU itself provides is matched, it lessens that issue, though any increased power demands could compromised even the best intentions.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

If wattage is exceeded or too close to specs, it may falter. Most CD drives are 25W, but two together are 50W even though on Y-splitter and specs say it meets 50W demands, prolonged usage could compromise it being at too long on high-end needs. If the wires themselves are small gauge though within specs they may in turn when using a Y-splitter be too much overall, again at high-end demands. Typical OEM schemes tend to meet their own specs, but DYI builds could exceed that easily once items are installed and under high heat stress and high-end demands. go figure...

Solution: Buy a new PSU which supplies all power leads w/o use of Y-splitters and in itself
of quality build and overall higher wattage present, like 500W vs. 650W units. Having more wattage is a plus and use only what it needs anyways.

good luck -----Willy

wow, i didn`t know they used thinner gauge wire ,the cheap skates . they were actually attached to the hard drives, i`ll be more aware in future, thanks .