I'm hoping I might be able to get a bit of help from you techies.

Tonight, I tried using my CDBurner for the first time after a reinstall of a HD (the first one crashed) - then noticed (also for the first time) that the computer wasn't detecting the removable E: (the cd-burning drive).

Everything else works fine, the cd-burning drive door opens, but for some reason, the computer can't read/detect it as a secondary slave - it can only detect the IDE 16x DVD-Rom primary drive. I've tried going through BIOS and enabled drive detection a few times to see if it will recognize the E: drive, but no go. I have all the CDs which came with the computer, though I don't think there are any that specifically pertain to the CD-Rewritable drive - with the exception of my Nero Burning Rom CD.

Help? :(

--Cen

Jumpers of the burner are set correct? (as slave, since the dvd drive seems to be master)
Tried to connect it to the other IDE (the primary one) channel yet? Does it work there, or not?

Edit: Did you also install all Motherboard/Chipset drivers after the HD crash again? Some devices need those drivers badly.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure all the drivers are installed properly, though I'll run through my GeForce installation CD one more time just to make sure.

It appears (at least through a simple exterior inspection through the case) that the drive is connected properly and nothing is disconnected - though I haven't yet tried opening the case to check whether or not I can slave it/make it the master. Frankly, I don't know enough about computer interiors and connections to really want to start dicking around in there - one fried HDD (not my fault) is enough, thanks. Argh.

Anyone else have any ideas?

--Cen

I'll run through my GeForce installation CD one more time just to make sure.

That would actually be your video card drivers and therefore not related to motherboard/peripheral installation.

Its sounds to me like (as Shosa said) you didnt get all your motherboard/chipset drivers installed. Is this a computer that you bought retail like a Hewlett Packard or Gateway, or was it a hack-job thrown together with off-the-shelf parts? If its a big-name box, you probably just got one restore disk with all the needed drivers on it, but if it was a franken-pc then you probably got a stack of driver disks for the MB, video card, sound card, etc etc. If worse comes to worse, figure out the make and model of your motherboard and see if you can download and install the chipset drivers for it.

Master Damoiel Mindbend
Retired Enchanter of the 60th Season

Erm...somewhat of a bump - still can't get the computer to detect the drive...anyone have any other ideas? :/

--Cen

My guess would be that the drive cable was someone jostled loose at one end. Just pop the case, give each end of the ribbon cable a gentle push and try again.

The door opening and closing shows that the power is connected, but nothing more, for CDs and DVD-ROMs/burners etc.

If the BIOS doesnt even detect the drive - then either the drive is toast or something is wrong with it's installation from my experience.

Good luck!

Here is a link with some pictures about installing an IDE drive. Same concept applies to your CD-RW drive.

<a href="http://www.daileyint.com/build/ibuild6.htm" target="_new">Install Guide</a>

Also, at the bottom is a troubleshooting flow chart link that looked pretty handy. . .

<a href="http://www.fonerbooks.com/ide_hd.htm" target="_new">Flow Chart</a>

Good Luck.

Are you using its own IDE cable or is it in series with the Master? Try its own IDE cable going directly to the motherboard. You really need to look at the jumper settings on the drive as well..not knowing what they are set at is a clue that you probably didn't even look. Try making it the Master and your old on the Slave (needing to once again change the jumpers I am most certian.)


Ibudin

nevermind. What I had in mind doesn't work the way I thought it might.