Toshiba SD-C2202 DVD-ROM not working

by BBBrown Dec 26, 2004 11:56AM PST

The subject DVD-ROM is combined with a floppy disk drive on my Dell Inspiron 7000 notebook computer. It quit working about ten days ago after completely playing a movie. When I began to play a second, I began receivng the "D:\is not accessible. The device is not ready." error message. This happens with DVD and data disks. I can only right click the drive and eject. The floppy drive is located below the unit works fine.

I no longer have the original Inspiron system installation disks. All I do have are the Windows 98SE CD Installation files on the C/hard drive.

After reviewing the system troubleshooting documentation I downloaded from Dell, I *think* the problem lies with a file called "tsycdrom.sys" which was not on my computer and seems not to be included among the Windows 98SE OEM files. As Dell does not offer the file nor the "program diskette sets" referenced in the documentation on its site, I downloaded the file from DriverGuide.com. However, they give no clue as to where it really goes on my system.

Exhaustive Google and other searches have left me with the following Autoexec.bat and Config.sys file entries:

AUTOEXEC.BAT
rem - By Windows Setup - C:\windows\command\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001

CONFIG.SYS
LASTDRIVE=Z
DEVICE=\windows\system32\drivers\TSYCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001

NB:the drivers folder under system32 was the only place I found with many other ".sys" files, so I put it there.

Still, the drive fails to work. And, yes, I have repeatedly tried removing it from Device Manager while in Safe Mode, letting Windows rediscover and install it, checking and unchecking the DMA and Auto Insert Notification boxes on the Propeties of the drive, updating and scanning with my antivirus and spyware detection software, using the 98SE boot disk from Bootdisk.com, checking the registry for and finding no instances of "NOIDE," etc. The Toshiba web site says the drive will work with the drivers supplied in Windows 98SE but, like the Microsoft Knowledge Base, offers no clues as to where they are or how to find, extract and verify installation. Right clicking Install on the mscdrom.inf does nothing.

I don't/can't believe the drive has failed since it has been rarely used, is still recognized by Windows and I can eject disks placed in it. In any case, the drive is no longer stocked nor sold by Dell (same holds true for the notebook's battery which no longer accepts/holds a charge, but that's an issue for another day).

All help and advice is most welcome and appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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That's a real mode driver.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 26, 2004 12:18PM PST

"DEVICE=\windows\system32\drivers\TSYCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001"

This line is only used when one needs access from DOS. It's NOT a good thing if you want proper speed from a CD/DVD drive in windows.

I'd remark it out.

Bob

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That's a real mode driver

by BBBrown Dec 26, 2004 12:27PM PST

Many thanks. But I guess the main/real question remains *where* should the TSYCDROM.SYS file go on my hard drive? Another folder? Are there any other files needed to support/work with it?

Can/should I just delete the line entirely?

Again, many thanks.

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It's not needed for WINDOWS!!!!

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 26, 2004 10:56PM PST

You asked where the file should go. You have the answer in front of you, but here it is again...

"DEVICE=\windows\system32\drivers\TSYCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001"

That would be the C:\windows\system32\drivers directory.

Windows does NOT use this file. Enabling a DOS real mode driver will disable DVD playback, CD writing and more. I see a lot of people work very hard at installing a DOS driver only to find out that it's only needed for specific purposes (not for Windows!)

Bob

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It's not needed for WINDOWS!!!!

by BBBrown Dec 27, 2004 8:39AM PST

OK. I deleted the entire entry and moved the tsycdrom.sys driver file to C:\ (still no help from Dell as to where it should go). Restarted, verified the DVD-ROM status in Device Manager and tried to run a MS Security Update CD and a DVD. Drive still gives the same "not accessible error" and only responds to the right click Eject command. Right clicking and selecting expand crashes Windows Explorer.

A friend suggested a complete reinstall of Windows 98SE but I'm reluctant to go through that hassle. He also suggested that it might be a sound card problem but I can't see how that would effect the CD-ROM. Any thing else I might try?

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That's a new clue here. (Right click crash)

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 27, 2004 9:13AM PST

I wish we had focused on the sooner.

Others have written "just Google 'shell extension manager' and look for context menu. Disable one by one until you find the "culprit"."

http://sourceforge.net/projects/shellexman

Bob

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"Shell Extension(?!) Manager"

by BBBrown Dec 27, 2004 12:47PM PST

Oh, joy...yet more computer jargon to decipher...

After much(!) difficulty I downloaded, installed and ran yet another piece of cryptic BGFG (By Geeks For Geeks) software. NB: SourceForge.net is obviously not optimized for dial up connections. There is no(!) help/definition file included with the program nor on the SourceForge and author's sites, although both warn of dire consequences in the event of misuse of the program. But thanks to Google and Webopedia, I at least know what is meant by "shell" in computerspeak.

The Shell Extension Manager presents me with more than 300 entries, many of which seem to be associated with Real Audio Player and Windows Media Player, two pieces of software I've yet to have/find any real use for and probably should have uninstalled long ago. The remaining entries are too cryptic to understand/analyze/decipher for a novice like myself.

I've decided I've wasted far too much of my own and your valuable time on this issue (I'm way behind on my real reading). In any case, I rarely used the DVD-ROM drive and the Dell Inspiron 7000 long ago proved incapable of handling much more than the basic word processing and internet/email functions I need/use most often. NB: Dell will definitely *not* be among the brands I consider should I ever be insane enough to buy another computer.

I'll just reinstall Windows 98SE and see what happens...Besides, now would seem a good time to finally buy a real standalone DVD player anyway since they've finally(!) come down to prices I can at least consider seriously.

Many thanks for all your advice and efforts. I wish you and the entire CNet staff a successful 2005.

Toshiba SD-C2202 DVD-ROM not working

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