XP doesn't recognize both optical drives

[hannah]

I'm a newbie, first time attempting upgrading my system (just bought it last week). My system came with a DVD-ROM and a CD-writer. After proper grounding (using an anti-static wrist), I replaced the CD-writer with an OEM Plextor DVD writer 708A, using the same cable; both drives were set at "Cable Select" as indicated in the Emachines manual. However, I made the mistake of NOT uninstalling the CDRW from the Device Manager first. When I turned the system on, I got an error message that the device is incompatible. When I press F4 to move on (as told), my PC is booted but the OS doesn't show either optical drive (I checked the Device Manager), although both are powered (LEDs lit).

I read the recommendations for some similar cases on this forum but I still got some questions:

1. One recommendation is to check BIOS to see if the drives are recognized there. How can I do so (checking BIOS)? Windows Help says BIOS is invisible to users. Also, how can I make sure BIOS is set to AUTO for these drives?

2. Right now, the DVDRW is still in the system. Should I remove it to see the OS recognizes the DVD-ROM by itself?

3. Should I reinstall the CD-Writer, then uninstall it using Device Manager, then replace it with the DVDRW again? Is there any way of less a hassle?

System specs:
Emachines, Celeron 2.7Ghs, 60GB, 512 MB, OS XP pro

Thank you in advanced.
Hannah

[CaseyComb]

Hmmm... never had to uninstall a drive to swap it out with a different one. I just did this a few weeks back swapping out a Yamaha CD-R with a Pioneer DVD-R. Never went into device manager to uninstall it, in fact I've never had to. I don't know if that could be the problem. As its not necessary. You didn't disable the drive did you? Honestly I think E-machines are crap...but thats neither here nor there. I'm no expert, but here's what I would do (or would have done):

By "CABLE SELECT" I'm assuming that it is the auto-select MASTER/SLAVE setting on the drives? If it is that may be the problem. Shut down your computer, unplug it then open it up. Then set the DVD-R as the "MASTER" and then set the DVD-ROM to "SLAVE". Now make sure all the cables to the drives are secure. Close up your computer and power up. If you are running XP it should recognize the drives.

....oh and the LED's will light as long as the power cord is attached to them...they don't need the IDE cable to light up.

[hannah]

Thanks for your quick response. Then do I need to reset my two HDDs as well? They are currently set at Cable select as well.

I just unplugged the DVDRW and my PC now recognizes the DVDRom.

Emachines is cheap and I only need it for school stuff and occasionally entertainment. No intensive games so I guess it's OK.

[rkr1958]

I've swapped out and replaced optical drives a number of times in my current and my old (which is now) my wife's machine. I've done this under both W98SE and more recently under W2k. Never have I had to "uninstall" a drive in device manager. On boot-up the machine have always recognized the new drive, except for one time when the IDE cable was loose. If it was me this is what I would try in this order.

1) Make sure that the IDE cable to your two drives is connected properly to both drives and to your motherboard. Reboot and see what happens.

2) If this doesn't work, disconnect the power and IDE cable to your DVD writer, reboot and see it you other drive is recognized.

3) Assuming this works then I would change the jumpers on my two optical drives to master for the DVD Writer and slave for the DVD-ROM. Reconnect the IDE cable to both drives and make sure the Write (i.e., Master drive) is the one connected at the end of the cable and the DVD-ROM (i.e., slave) is connected in between the writer and motherboard. Make sure power is hooked to both drives and reboot.

if 2) doesn't work then I'd swap the writer with the DVD-ROM drive and try again. If that doesn't work then I'd try a different IDE cable to see if that's your problem. Also, switch power connectors to your drive to make sure that's not bad.

if 3) doesn't work then reinstall everything back to your original configuration and settings and see if that works. If it does the problem may be the DVD writer itself.

[rkr1958]

Then do I need to reset my two HDDs as well?

If they're working then I'd leave them alone.

[CaseyComb]

Yes if the hard drives are working leave them alone...but if you must tinker make sure that the HD with your operating system is the MASTER

"Jumper settings" THATS THE PHRASE I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF!!!

[RJJ]

Most likely your BIOS is not set to auto recognise the attached IDE devices at each boot. ie set to manual detect.

You need to get into the BIOS before windows boots.

When you boot your machine hold down del. This usually takes you into the BIOS. It is usually the first choice in the BIOS setup you need to change.

If this does not work try F2 (works on some compacs)

If this fails read the manual it may tell you in there. Many preconfigered macines have the BIOS hidden so users cannot access.

[proxyx99]

This is related to cable select setting. Set your HDD's to master/slave as required and do the same with your CD/DVD drives. Cable select is OK if you know PC's inside out. Better results are with direct master or slave jumper setting. Confidure a first IDE channel reboot and watch PC recognise devices in BIOS bootup routine. Make sure that all drives are set to AUTO in BIOS or (in older MB's) go to autodetect to enter devices. Observe IDE cable setup positioning (master HD/CD plug is marked with a different color). Otherwise you may have master drive in a slave cable position or vice versa. Reconnect first IDE and when OK add second IDE with devices added 1 by 1. If all devices are recognised properly by BIOS your system should have no trouble to follow. Also set "Plug'n Play OS?" setting to YES (BIOS). Set HD with OS to master on IDE I and DVDRW as master on IDE II.

PS. do not mix "master/slave" with "cable select" on the same IDE channel. If 1 is set to master then set the other one to slave and nothing else. I assume your problem is a typical mixup of master/slave drive at a wrong cable position (see above). Your HD/CD documentation will explain which cable (ribbon) plug is which. If in order to comply with these rules you need to reposition your drives (swap physical locations) you have to do that. Windows OS can recognise a slave as a master as well as show stuff in wrong order so do not rely on that info. The only indicator you need to go by is your PC's BIOS. To add: drives do not need to be installed or uninstalled so this is not your issue!!! If in doubt check the internet, plenty of info on that subject.

[hannah]

Hi,

I'm very grateful for all of your tips and suggestions. My OS has now recognized the new DVDR drive (showing up in Device Manager). It was a case of mixing Cable Select with Slave on the same IDE channel. I just set everything to Cable Select for now to be consistent with my HDDs (on the primary IDE channel, also set to CS). Also because my Emachines is a mid tower that doesn't allow me to physically switch these drives (wrong screw locations!) to set the DVDRW as Master. I downloaded and installed the latest firmware for Plextor.

But now there is a new problem: my system only shows the writer as a CDRW, not a DVDRW. Let me do some research on this problem (I'm sure I read it on this forum before) and if I can't find a good answer, I'll go back and ask for help.

Again, thanks very much for giving me a hand. Good night to you all!
Hannah

[glockjs]

my system only shows the writer as a CDRW, not a DVDRW

my dvdr did that too but it still worked fine. it was eventually fixed with a firmware update but it always worked fine. if its not broke dont fix it