Question:
My dvd/rw that I have used in the past has gone missing.
In 'my computer' & 'Nero info tool' it says that I only have my cdrw drive.
Under ASPI in nero info it says that ASPI file(s) are missing.
I had a driver conflict a while ago & think I might have done something I shouldn't have done.
Any help would be appreciated
Answers:
Just uninstall the DVD/RW in Control Panel, System, Hardware then refresh and Windows should reinstall it or physically unplug / replug it and Windows should also reinstall it.
Answers:
Thanks for replying
I went into system & it shows DVD/CD-ROM drives but when I click the + sign only the CR-R/RW shows.
Looked at the back of my computer to 'unplug' but can't see what I can unplug.
Sorry to be a div.
Answers:
You need to reinstall system ASPI drivers.
Download link for all Windoze versions (except 95)
Further explanation as to why non-SCSI devices such as CD burners need an ASPI layer along with download links to ForceASPI, an alternate driver installer.
8)
TOG
Answers:
Hi Tog
Did what you said, downloaded aspi drivers.
Nero info tool says 'aspi is installed & working properly'
But I still can't find my dvd/rw. It's an Optorite DD1205.
Do you think something has come loose inside !!!
Ren
Answers:
Possibly.
Is it present in Device Manger and system Information? Anything showing in Problem devices?
If not is it being detected in your Bios?
8)
TOG
Answers:
Tog
It's not in Device Manager or System Info.
No problem devices.
I've looked in all sorts of places I didn't know existed !
I don't know how to get into Bios to check
Answers:
When you first power on your PC you should see something like
It can flash by pretty quickly so if necessary use the Pause/Break key on your keyboard to freeze it.
Depending on your Bios brand it may list all your IDE devices here. !If your drive if being detected i.e. power and IDE connections all good, correctly jumpered and not fatally failed then you should see something like:
Secondary IDE Master CD/RW
Secondary IDE Slave DVD
It could be on either Primary or Secondary (or even 3rd/4th but unlikely) as either Master or Slave depending on how your h/w has been configured but it should be there.
If it's not check the power and IDE cable connections or if possible fit into another PC to test.
If the initial page doesn't list devices anyway (some don't) you may have to go into the bios CMOS menu. !As you can see at the very bottom of the above image you should have something like 'Hit DEL to enter Set-up.' !This is the most common but sometimes other function keys are used.
You will then see something like
Go into the Standard CMOS Settings menu and look for IDE devices. !It should list all your disk and optical drives in there. !Have a look to see if you have both your optical drives showing then select 'Exit Without Saving' and your PC will restart normally.
WARNING: do not change any of your bios settings unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing, otherwise you may render your PC unusable!!
!8)
TOG
Answers:
Tog
Did what you said about Master & Slave.
There's nothing on the slave.
I dont seem to have 'Hit Del to enter setup'
I've switched the pc on & off half a dozen times but nothing seems to come up.
At the back of the pc there is
Power cable
Mouse, keyboard & speaker
Printer & scanner
Modem & monitor
Sorry to be so stupid but I've no idea of the ins & outs of these things
Answers:
Tog
I've cocked up big time.
I did a 'program integrity scan' with Norton & it came up with 29 problems !!
It can't repair them & says ' a removable drive has been inserted or removed,or, a directory was moved to a new drive causing drive C to appear as drive C ?
It looks as if I shall be calling out PC man in white van to reinstall or something.
I'm sorry to have wasted your time but thanks a lot for being so patient with an old'un
Answers:
What's the make and model no. of your PC?
Answers:
Tog
Bits & pieces have been added to it
I.e I wanted to transfer vhs of my grandchildren to dvd so I had the bits put in & a dvd rw.
I think I'm quite up to date? as the guy who puts my bits in !! is genuine.
If you can tell me how to see what Iv'e got, I'll have a go
Answers:
Checking the connections on the back of the DVD drive is a very easy 2 minute job. There are only 2 (possibly but not always a 3rd audio connection).
The 2 main ones are power and IDE. They are both quick release. Just make sure each is firmly connected. I usually pull them off and push them firmly back on again.
If that doesn't do the trick then your drive has probably failed.
This should help and let you judge how easy or difficult an undertaking it may be.
If you get stuck just post back here for help.
8)
TOG
Answers:
Thanks Tog
Printed off all what you said.
Had a couple of Vodka & Orange as I'm so fed up with the whole thing.
I will have a go in the am. It would be great if I can sort it out myself (with your help) I can then look the eldest grandson (18) in the eye & say 'beat that'
Ren
Answers:
Don't be daunted. Once you've done it once you'll realise it's about as quick and easy as changing a 13 Amp plug.
If you find any of ther steps not too clear I'm more than happy to post some close up pics of the inside of my own PC case to help you out.
8)
TOG
Answers:
Tog
Did what you suggested but the drive must have gone because nothing different happened when I switched on.
I will have to speak to my computer man
Thanks for all your help & advice
Regards
Answers:
No problem
Couple of other things you could try before you have to pay somebody.
Firstly if you have another PC you could try the drive in there. It could also be a fault with the particular power connector (Molex) or ribbon (IDE) cable rather than the drive itself.
Because you know the power and IDE to the CD drive is good you could swap the 2 over. If the DVD works and the CD doesn't you will know it's a power lead or IDE cable problem. If you still get the same result you'll know the DVD is definitely dead.
To swop them just fit the DVD to the CD's connectors and vice versa. You may not have to move them if the cables are long enough. The only minor thing you will have to check is the jumper settings on the back of each drive because you may need to reverse the Master/Slave settings.
On the back of eacj drive you should see a small 6 pin socket with a tiny plastic shrouded connector covering 2 of the pins.
Kind of like : : : and probably marked 'M' 'SL' 'CS'
for Master, Slave and Cable Select respectively. When you swap set the CD to SL or CS and the DVD to M or CS.
Jumpers look like
Change it like
Socket will look like
After you've swapped if the DVD works you'll know you've got a cable problem (probably IDE). Just buy a new cable and replace.
If the DVD doesn't work buy a new one and replace it yourself. You now know how to do it so why pay somebody
When you put the CD back in it's original place don't forget to set the jumper back to Master or Cable select.
HTH
8)
TOG
Answers:
The chances are the laser diode has gone. You can instruct an empty drive to eject using My computer, right click on the drive and selecting eject. This can check the cabling to the drive is sufficient for it to respond to commands. If it can't read CD data then it is likely that the laser is dead or the lens is dirty. A new drive is probably the cheapest option as the latest models have more capability to write to different formats in a more competetive market compared to six months ago.
J_B.
Answers:
Hi Tog and Joe
Sorry I've been so long in replying. Looked inside the tower again and I have three connections going in. Did it all over again and it 'works'
Thanks for saving me a lot of money
Answers:
No probs - glad you got it sorted.
Must've got through a fair old number of Vodka and Oranges before you got round to it! lol
TOG