This seems like some horrible circle. I need to reinstall my OS because my computer is no longer recognizing my CD drive. . . but I need to use the CD drive to reinstall the OS, what do I do?
2006-12-07 11:49:06 · 9 answers · asked by kira217 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
if your system is not recognising your CD it could be 1 of 4 problems (assuming that PC has not been tampered with)
1 IDE driver is corrupted, if motherboard has intel chipset (not CPU), simply remove the IDE drivers from the Device Manager (Primary & Secondary), and reboot PC (should detect and re-install drivers)
if not intel chipset (AMD/ VIA etc...) download updated drivers from your motherboard's manufacturer website and update drivers.
2. failed Drive...This happens, you may need to have the drive replaced. drive can be tested by connecting it to a known working system.
3. Failed IDE Channel.... can happen...if there is only 1 device on Primary circuit (where your Primary HDD is connected) you may be able to transfer your drive to the "Slave" channel on the Primary IDE circuit.
4. OS failure.... This can be resolved either by re-installing or using the restore feature (win XP) to restore back to a date when you know that your CD was working.
for WIN XP Win2K and WinME the OS CD is Bootable (you may need to alter your boot sequence to CDROM; A: ; C: or if you can select chose to boot from CD.
you should then be able to repair or completely re-install Windows..
However a complete re-install is DEstructive and you may lose data that isn't backed up.
2006-12-07 12:36:41 · answer #1 · answered by bluegreenash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Step 1: Go to walmart and buy the cheapest internal IDE cd rom drive, you can even buy a good DVD burner (also does everything thing else like read CD, burn CD's play DVDs) for around $50.
Step 2: Open up the computer case, unscrew the screws holding the cd rom drive in place; pull out both cables and
Step 3: Reverse the removal steps to install the new drive: put the cables in, and screw it in tightly - put the case cover back on.
Windows or your "OS" should recognize the drive automatically.
2006-12-07 12:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by Glenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you trouble shoot your CD drive?
Check the bios and see if the CD rom is recognised.
If don't Power down the system. Unplug the power cord. Press the power on button to make sure there is no juice running through the system.
Check the cables and make sure they are connected.
If they are try reinstalling the drivers.
Still a no go you may want to look into a new drive.
2006-12-07 12:16:09 · answer #3 · answered by Studio A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, let's think upon this for a couple of ticks. Unplug the PC, open the case, ground yourself to a metal part of the case, unplug the power and IDEs to your optical drive(s). Make sure the jumper(s) are(is) set properly, Master, if you have one or two drives and Master, Slave if you have two drives. Then plug all the stuff back in and turn the computer on and let the drivers re-load. A side note, while your in there, blow the dust out of the computer and fans using canned air.
2006-12-07 14:58:41 · answer #4 · answered by mittalman53 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could "borrow" a cd-rom from another computer, or buy a new one. They are commonly as low as $25 retail, and even lower as a whitebox item online. Check to make sure that your computer doesn't have a hidden recovery partition on it first though. Most of the time, you can access the recovery console by pressing F11 immediately after turning on the computer at the BIOS screen. You may just luck out and have one.
-Zach
2006-12-07 12:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by zachsandberg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it might simply be a loose IDE cable to the CD drive.
2006-12-07 18:41:58 · answer #6 · answered by Slick32 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the drive is broken. So you need a new DVD-drive anyway. I've a CD-drive for free to pick up, if you live near The Netherlands :).
2006-12-07 12:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by · 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hold no u dont if you have windows on da system and it cant find ur cd drive you need to check ur cd driver fist power off pc remove power & cover make sure da cable is on right on ur cd driver da power cable & data cable push them in then try ur pc again
2006-12-07 11:53:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are those TWO questions? I'm guessing the answer to the second one is "yes".
2006-12-07 12:00:31 · answer #9 · answered by ranger beethoven 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋