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Old November 19th 05, 03:09 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
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Default CD drives quit simultaneously

If the drives are internal IDE CD drives, you do not need any install files. The CD
writer uses CD mastering software (Nero, Easy CD Creator, or whatever), but as far
as reading discs, Windows itself provides the drivers needed for both drives. If
the CD drives are both listed in Device Manager with no problems, and the system
performance tab shows all drives configured for optimal performance rather than
showing some drives in MS-DOS Compatibility Mode, then the Windows drivers are
already installed.

Your problem may lie with a loose or faulty data cable attached to both optical
drives, or a problem with the IDE controller they are attached to (I assume the
secondary IDE controller). When the computer boots, does the boot screen show the
drives being enumerated, and do they appear on the secondary IDE channel as master
and slave?

In Device Manager, what is shown under the Hard Disk Controllers category, on each
of the tabs?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"ms" wrote in message ...
ms wrote:
HP 8200 CDWriter and Mitsumi CD drive in W98SE
I don't use the writer drive very often, but it usually makes data CD's
with few coasters.
Last time, I was making backup data CD's, made several fine. I reboot
before each try, much better success.

The next new Imation blank CD became a coaster. I rebooted and tried
again, same result. Then the next time I inserted a CD and clicked on
the CD drive in Explorer, I got a "drive not ready" screen. From then
on, that's all I get, regardless of the disk contents in the drive.

My original CD Drive, a Mitsumi, normally works fine. When the HP
started giving me the screens, I tried the Mitsumi and get the same
screen now, so both of them seem to have started the same issue at the
same time.

At cold boot, the HP drive light comes on briefly as normal in the
bootup process. Normally, the drive light is on continuously if a disk
is present. Now, the light comes on when I open the drive door, blinks a
few times after the door is closed, goes out, even with a CD present.
The drives appear to be still connected as they show up in Explorer
the HP lites up so it has power, both drive doors open, properties
seemed normal in Device Manager.

The drive is 5 years old, but has not had much use, so I believe wear is
not the issue.

An earlier post:
quote
--------
From: "PCR"
Subject: No CD-ROM
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 16:51:15 -0500
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q237948
Troubleshoot CD-R_W
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=218617
Troubleshoot CD-ROM or DVD-ROM

I guess, a first try would be...
(1) Boot to Safe Mode. (Hold F5 as you boot, or hold CTRL for the
Startup Menu, & select Safe Mode from that.)
(2) "START, Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab".
(3) Open the CD-ROM branch, by clicking it's plus sign.
(4) Highlight each drive in that branch, & click "Remove".
(Safe Mode may reveal the presence of a "ghost".)
(5) Close up, & boot to Normal Mode.

Hopefully Windows will find the correct drivers, & all will be well.
---------------
end quote

I went to Safe Mode, deleted the entries, rebooted, "rebuilding
database" screen. In Device Manager, they still say "working properly,
no drivers listed, they still do not read the CD in the tray.

Advice?

TIA

MS

The only thing I have left at this end is to see if I can find online
the install file for my old HP 8200 CD writer and the Mitsumi CD reader
drive. I have the HP CD, but of course can't read it.

I will try to reinstall specific drivers, but logically this still is
not right as they were working one moment and quit the next, as if the
correct drivers were there. Not now, as I deleted the entries in safe mode.

Any other things to consider?

MS