Can't See CD Drive in Explorer

Modern CD-ROM drives use same ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) interface that a hard drive uses. (Sometimes called IDE for integrated drive electronics). A motherboard usually has two ATA channels, primary and secondary. Each channel can control two drives, master and slave.

In Device Manager, click on + next to Hard disk controllers to open that branch. Make sure Primary and Secondary IDE controllers are listed and they don't have a yellow exclamation (!) mark next to them. If one is not visible, controller may be disabled in BIOS setup. If there is an exclamation mark, CD-ROM drive may be defective.

Eject Button Does Not Work

If a CD gets stuck in drive, turn off power to PC. Then insert a straightened paper clip into tiny emergency eject hole on front of drive.

Unusual Problems

Inside computer's case, make sure power cable on back of CD-ROM drive is not loose. Make sure data cable is not loose on connector on back of CD-ROM drive and on motherboard. A loose cable may have worked until dust drawn in by cooling fan accumulated inside case.

The ATA channel master or slave assignment is configured automatically by data cable or is configured by a jumper on back of CD-ROM drive. If a new drive has been added, check this configuration.

Some software records letter of CD-ROM drive from which it was installed. If you later remove or install a storage device, Windows will reassign drive letters. The software may not be able to find CD-ROM drive. If you can't reconfigure that software, you can go into CD-ROM drive's Properties dialog box, select Settings tab, and set a letter to be used by drive.

Some CD-ROM drives require a driver. Follow drive manufacturers instructions to install driver. It can usually be done through CD-ROM drive's Properties dialog box, Driver tab. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------

2. You will be prompted if you want to set up Windows 2000, or if you want to repair a damaged system. To repair a damaged system press "R".

3. You will prompted if you want to use Recovery Console or if you want to use Emergency Repair Process to repair your system. Press "R" to repair using Emergency Repair Process.

4.You will be prompted if want to use manual repair option or fast repair option. The fast repair option does not require any user interaction. The manual repair option should be used only by experienced users. Press "F" to use Fast Repair option.

5.You will be asked if you have Emergency Repair Disk or if you want Windows 2000 to attempt to locate Windows 2000 for you. Press "Enter" if you have Emergency Repair Disk.

6.You will be prompted to insert Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Disk. Insert disk into floppy drive and press "Enter".

With a little luck Windows 2000 will be able to repair itself. Most people don't consider creating an Emergency Repair Disk until their computer fails to start - then it's too late. Why not take a minute to make one now? ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------