I bought a Memorex CD/DVD Rom that has to be installed. My sister installed it. We've been to a website from Memorex that said what to do if you're having trouble getting your computer to recognize it. We've gone to the Control Panel, My Computer, nada. Nothing seems to be working. Does my computer being a Dell have anything to do with my troubles? Do I need to replace it? Or should I have gotten a professional to install it? Any suggestions? (Try to take it easy with your computer terms; I'm not that computer savvy...)
2006-11-19 16:18:18 · 6 answers · asked by Tee99 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
For those of you who said that Dell would help me out, what Dell people did you speak to? Whenever we called Dell we got people who could barely speak English. We were exhausted and frustrated when we got off the phone...I don't have complete confidence in Dell's customer support system...
2006-11-19 16:50:46 · update #1
Being a Dell computer does not have anything to do with this. If you are adding (not replacing) a CD/DVD combo you may need to change the jumper switch on the drive to make it a 'slave' when you connect it using the same cable as the existing hard drive. If you're using a separate cable on a different controller, then the jumper has to be set to 'master'.
Once you do this, you should notice the drive is detected by the BIOS when you boot up the computer.
If you don't believe you can do this, then yes, get a professional. Just don't call Dell unless English is NOT your first language.
2006-11-19 16:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by Aaroni 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you have someone around that has some Tech savy or fiddling around could cause you some problems
you didn't say how old your PC was so I'm asuming it's Relitivly new.. < last 3 years .. > over 5 years get an upgrade and save yourself some hassle >
donate the old one to a charity that referbish's PC's for schools and such
ok... Brand name doens't matter to much in most cases < Dell Compaq what ever ... ... > If it's going to be the only CD/DVD rom in your system then make sure you set the little jumper(s) on the back to Master < if it's not the only one present then set it to Slave > there are instructions usualy Etched or on a sticker right on the drive it's self of the jumper positions.
Check to make sure the 2 Cables are Properly connected... < one ribon cable < IDE connector > and one Power cable < usualy a small bundle or wires with a small plug .. >
When the computer starts go into the set up and make sure it's set to auto Detect hardware < also hit eject to find out if the drive is getting power >
If the drive isn't getting any power check to see the plugs are in tight ... and if possible try other plugs with it .. you may have a fualty wire(s)
thoughs are the basics I go by when installing a drive... Worst case senario I can think of for your problem though is that the drive it's self is just busted and you might need to get it replaced.. < even new drives can be messed up from the get go >
Good Luck with it
2006-11-19 16:50:32 · answer #2 · answered by kin_row 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This seems to be a problem with all Dell computers, that I can see anyway. With installing something new to it, the best thing to do is call Dell customer support and the technical department people are great they will tell you if you need anything extra in order for the CD/DVD Rom to be compatable or if you are doing something out of sequence or what ever you need to get it working right. Hope this helps you. Be sure to have your service code to your computer so you can give it to the people at Dell.
2006-11-19 16:35:05 · answer #3 · answered by ANG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With installing anything you must follow the directions exactly. Especially with a computer. For items like a CD/DVD Rom, Internet and so forth you have to go from step to step in order. If you mix one up it wont work. As far as it being your Dell not excepting the CD/DVD Rom, it could be. Most computer companies make it so that you have to buy everything you need from them to make there money. Stupid I know. So it might be that since your computer is a Dell it may not let you install that piece of hardware unless Dell sent it to you. Try to reinstall it and make sure you don't miss or confuse any steps and if that doesn't work then first thing Monday morning i would get on the phone with Dell and ask them, what the problem is. Dell will defiantly be able to tell you what to do to fix your problem. I hope i was able to help you some.
2006-11-19 16:33:22 · answer #4 · answered by lizzyferrer 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK, first take a deep breath. Let it out. Here we go.
Check the following..
1) Make sure the power cable is plugged into the CD drive.
2) Makesure the flat ribbon cable is plugged in correctly. There is a red line on one edge of the cable. It should be on the same side when plugged in as the power socket.
3) Make sure the CD is on the second IDE port, not on the same port as the hard drive.
4) If you have another CD on the same ribbon cable make sure they are not both set to Master or Slave. For a Dell CS (Cable Select) is the perferred setting.
5) If set to Master it should be plugged into the last (end) of the ribbon cable. Slave should be on the second (middle) socket.
6) Make sure the ribbon cable is plugged in at the motherboard.
7) Check theBIOS and make sure the CD is setting up properly. You may need a new motherboard battery. Sometimes a bad battery causes conflicts with in the BIOS.
2006-11-19 16:31:42 · answer #5 · answered by acklan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
did you install the long end of the ide cable to the mother board and set the jumper to the correct position on the cable then in the bios you need to detect it in the bio before going to windows then it should be ok
2006-11-19 16:26:59 · answer #6 · answered by Douglas G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋