Safe?
Jim
My optical drives have vanished from windows explorer. Device manager can't
see them either.
I've physically removed the drives and reseated them, and their cables.
I'm thinking of downloadng this :-
http://dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_cd_dvd_fix.htm
Do you think it's safe?
J
softnfurry
"Jim" <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com> wrote in message
news:ZGean.12130$tU6....@newsfe05.ams2...
Anything from Doug Knox is "safe" if you know what it is you want it to
do...
and that fix cannot do any harm
Jim
"softnfurry" <softn...@nospam.com.> wrote in message
news:hkbths$2i8$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Thanks. I just ran the exe, but it didn't work. Still missing my optical
drives. Any suggestions, anyone?
They 'were' showing up just the odd time, but not every time, so I
right-clicked them in windows explorer and selected 'uninstall' thinking
when I rebooted I'd be asked to re-install them afresh, but instead, Windows
apparently didn't even know they were there, and still doesn't. My bios sees
the drives...'at least it sees the secondary master (my dvd player), but
says my cd-writer is 'not installed'. I've removed all drives and cables,
replaced them, but still the same scenario.
Using Win XP Pro.
J
OldGringo38
Two Cents To The Meat Plow Post:
> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:23:01 -0000, "Jim"
> <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com>wrote:
> the cdgone.reg and choose merge.
>
> Doing it manually like this may get your drives back and it won't hurt
> anything if it doesn't.
LOL And the OP was never heard from again. <g>
--
Old Gringo
Just West Of Nowhere
Enjoy Life And Live It To Its Fullest
http://www.NuBoy-Industries.com
OldGringo38
Two Cents To The Meat Plow Post:
> <NoE...@ThisOldHouse.Con>wrote:
> UDF shit. It doesn't mention dvdr drives but the udf reset may be
> enough.
About 10-12 years ago I use to play with my computer trying to find
out what made it tick using the trial and error method. I since
stopped doing that and haven't had a problem since. <g>
Respondant
> On Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:27:31 -0600, OldGringo38
> <NoE...@ThisOldHouse.Con>wrote:
>
> I looked at the cdgone.reg file. It just merges some default cd/cdr
> UDF shit. It doesn't mention dvdr drives but the udf reset may be
> enough.
May be. The OP didn't mention (or I missed) what version of Windows, but
the NEXT thing I'd try is a system restore to a point where everything was
working. If that fails for whatever reason, it might be time to follow "Dan
C's" standard advice. Sometimes a format and reinstall is unavoidable.
Especially when the registry has become corrupt, which is a distinct
possibility given the described symptoms.
G. Morgan
>They 'were' showing up just the odd time, but not every time, so I
>right-clicked them in windows explorer and selected 'uninstall' thinking
>when I rebooted I'd be asked to re-install them afresh, but instead, Windows
>apparently didn't even know they were there, and still doesn't. My bios sees
>the drives...'at least it sees the secondary master (my dvd player), but
>says my cd-writer is 'not installed'. I've removed all drives and cables,
>replaced them, but still the same scenario.
Start > Run > type "diskmgmt.msc" (no quotes)
See if your optical's are there. If so, right click on one and select
"assign drive letter" and see if that helps.
Respondant
Sure as hell did. XP-Pro. My mistake. The rest stands.
Mike Hunt
"Jim" <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com> schreef in bericht
news:ZGean.12130$tU6....@newsfe05.ams2...
It's safe. As a matter of fact, I'm sitting behind one of my old machines
where device manager produced a exclamation mark in front of the CD drive. I
could never be arsed to fix it as I don't even use the drive. When I came
across your poast I followed the link and the drive now works just fine
again.
HTH
Jim
"G. Morgan" <usenet...@gawab.com> wrote in message
news:tp6jm59ctp4cp5hqg...@4ax.com...
I only see my hard drives there, and my usb card reader, but no sign of the
optical drives.
J
Jim
<Meat Plow> wrote in message news:3g8nd6....@news.alt.net...
> the cdgone.reg and choose merge.
>
> Doing it manually like this may get your drives back and it won't hurt
> anything if it doesn't.
Just ran the cdgone reg file, rebooted, still no sign of the drives. :(
J
VanguardLH
How long have you had a working setup before it stopped working? You never
mentioned if you booted Windows into its Safe Mode to test your optical
drives setup and their use.
Are the optical drives on the same IDE data cable? Are they on different
IDE cables (so they are on different mobo ports to different IDE
controllers)? Are they SATA drives so each has its own cable? Did you
reseat the data cable at both ends (i.e., at both the drive and mobo ends)?
Did you try a different data cable to eliminate the possibility of a
defective one?
Disconnect one of the optical drives (remove the data cable from it).
Retest. If it cannot be seen, switch the setup to disconnect that optical
drive and connect the other one. Retest. If you can use just one of the
optical drives alone but adding the other causing both to disappear, well,
it would seem that one of them is broken and its signals on the data cable
is causing interference.
Obviously when working inside the computer box, you need to take appropriate
anti-static measures. Otherwise, perhaps you went zapping your components
as you were putzing around inside the case. It doesn't require hearing
arcing noises (zaps) to damage electronic parts with over-voltage static
discharges.
I doubt anything in Doug's script (rolled into an executable) is going to
fix your problem. Most likely it makes changes in the registry but perhaps
you have a bad drive, bad data cable, bad IDE controller on the mobo, or
other hardware problem. It is also possible you installed software which is
running and interferes with use of your optical drives, so making registry
changes will have no effect because they won't undo the functions or
interference of a running program. Have you tested your current hardware
setup (with however you want your optical drives hooked up) with a bootable
OS? That is, boot using another OS to determine if it can use your optical
drives. There are Live CDs available for many non-Microsoft operating
systems (Linux variants). You could also build a Live Windows CD using Bart
PE to make a bootable CD that loads Windows.
Jim
"VanguardLH" <V...@nguard.LH> wrote in message
news:hkcfuc$u2g$1...@news.albasani.net...
This is one of those times when I'd like to say "now, why didn't I think of
that"...'but I didn't! :)
Great advice there and I'm gonna try everything you suggested as it makes a
lot of sense.
The bootable cd first maybe? Need to make it on another pc though.
I do remember installing quicktime and divx software...'and the drives sort
of vanished after that.
(Now you see 'em, now you don't).
Hmm.
Cheers.
J
joevan
wrote:
Wal, did you uninstall them, to check if that was part of the
problem?
chuckcar
news:ZGean.12130$tU6....@newsfe05.ams2:
Look in device manager and see if the drives appear there. If they don't
then look for any exclamation marks, particlarly under drive
controllers. If you find any of the above, remove the drivers and
reboot.
Alternatively, try booting with your XP CD after changing the boot order
to the first CD/DVD drive first. If the BIOS doesn't find the CD/DVD
drives at all, you have a hardware problem. Have you changed the jumpers
on either or added a new drive? If none of the above, I'd replace the
cable.
--
(setq (chuck nil) car(chuck) )
chuckcar
news:0pkan.149724$NW.2...@newsfe08.ams2:
Did any of this involve CDROM drivers? If so you may be running a dos
driver - which would make the drive inaccessible in XP.
chuckcar
> Jim wrote:
>
>> My optical drives have vanished from windows explorer. Device manager
>> can't see them either.
>> I've physically removed the drives and reseated them, and their
>> cables. I'm thinking of downloadng this :-
>> http://dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_cd_dvd_fix.htm
>> Do you think it's safe?
>
> How long have you had a working setup before it stopped working? You
> never mentioned if you booted Windows into its Safe Mode to test your
> optical drives setup and their use.
>
CDROM/DVDROM drives don't appear or work in safe mode.
chuckcar
> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:45:59 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
> OP said the BIOS enumerated the drives so that blows the
> cable/jumper/controller theory.
Only *one* of them.
�n�hw��f
news:3g9hee....@news.alt.net:
> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:45:59 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>
> OP said the BIOS enumerated the drives so that blows the
> cable/jumper/controller theory.
>
I liek wikipediaz:
"A common problem that occurs with the drive letter assignment is
that the letter assigned to a network drive can interfere with the
letter of a local volume (like a newly installed CD/DVD drive or a
USB stick). For example, if the last local drive is drive D: and we
have assigned to a network drive as E:, then when we connect a USB
mass storage device it will also be assigned drive E: causing loss of
connectivity with either the network share or the USB device. Users
can assign drive letters manually to overcome this problem.
Another condition that can cause problems on Windows XP is when there
are network drives defined but in an error condition (as they would
be on a laptop operating outside the network). Even when the
unconnected network drive is not the next available drive letter,
Windows XP may be unable to map a drive and this error may also
prevent the mounting of the USB device."
Therefore logic dictates:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/laptop-
support/251810-solved-optical-drive-not-recognized-laptop.html
Interesting:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2308
Again a mention of "upper and lower filters":
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/171067-32-drive-drive-detected
c'est la vie!
--
http://reclaimdemocracy.org/
cageprisoners.com|www.snuhwolf.9f.com|www.eyeonpalin.org
_____ ____ ____ __ /\_/\ __ _ ______ _____
/ __/ |/ / / / / // // . . \\ \ |\ | / __ \ \ \ __\
_\ \/ / /_/ / _ / \ / \ \| \| \ \_\ \ \__\ _\
/___/_/|_/\____/_//_/ \_@_/ \__|\__|\____/\____\_\
chuckcar
> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:11:42 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>
>>Meat Plow wrote in news:3g9hee....@news.alt.net:
>>
>>> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:45:59 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
>>> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>>>
>>> OP said the BIOS enumerated the drives so that blows the
>>> cable/jumper/controller theory.
>>
>>Only *one* of them.
>
> Really? Quote that if you don't mind.
Message-ID: <eFfan.169558$Q36....@newsfe19.ams2>
It's only about 4 lines of text by him. Possibly ambiguous
G. Morgan
>I only see my hard drives there, and my usb card reader, but no sign of the
>optical drives.
Okay, what about in the Device Manager, see any bangs (exclamation
marks)?
Also, are the optical's PATA or SATA? You could try to switch cables
around and see if the cable/controller is bad.
Jim
"joevan" <joeva...@vanudity.com> wrote in message
news:v4ojm51k5nrujslvq...@4ax.com...
Uninstalled all the s/w, still the same.
J
Jim
No exclamation marks, no sign at all. They are pata.
J
Jim
"chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
news:Xns9D14AEC...@127.0.0.1...
Not sure which type of driver I have, how do I tell?
J
Jim
<Meat Plow> wrote in message news:3g9jd0....@news.alt.net...
> On Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:20:37 -0600, "?n?hw??f"
> <snuh...@yahoo.com>wrote:
> matter of fact I don't have any experience with it not because I don't
> have a decade of experience with XP but rather I don't have a decade
> of disappearing drives in XP. I've probably at one time or another
> worked with, installed, set up maybe a 1000 XP Pro workstations and
> home computers but I can't recall an optical drive vanishing even
> those that no longer functioned.
Something 'strange' just happened. I put a dvd into the dvd player, it spun,
but that's all. I then attempted to put a cd into my cd-writer, but it
didn't even open up. Looks like there's no power getting to it, but I did
check the cables before and it looked okay. Could it be that this is causing
the whole problem? The pc is stuck away in a corner under my desk, so I will
have to wait until the morning (and daylight) to have a look inside again.
Thanks for the help thus far guys!
J
thanatoid
news:ZGean.12130$tU6....@newsfe05.ams2:
>
> My optical drives have vanished from windows explorer.
> Device manager can't see them either.
> I've physically removed the drives and reseated them, and
> their cables. I'm thinking of downloadng this :-
> http://dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_cd_dvd_fix.htm
> Do you think it's safe?
(I don't know.)
There is a fix for this somewhere on the MS site. Using the
knowledge base is another issue, but there's Google, thank
fubar...
The XP registry is the most insane thing I have ever looked at.
But without ever having used XP I solved the identical problem
for a clueless friend by Googling for the key words, and it led
me there.
--
The arrows are faster than rodents!
- t.
thund3rstruck
> Something 'strange' just happened. I put a dvd into the dvd player, it spun,
> but that's all. I then attempted to put a cd into my cd-writer, but it
> didn't even open up. Looks like there's no power getting to it, but I did
> check the cables before and it looked okay. Could it be that this is causing
> the whole problem? The pc is stuck away in a corner under my desk, so I will
> have to wait until the morning (and daylight) to have a look inside again.
> Thanks for the help thus far guys!
Try unplugging that drive, to see if it's locking up that
channel...assuming it's IDE of course.
n0i
Tony
ask specifically for Sam Hong.
Jim wrote:
> My optical drives have vanished from windows explorer. Device manager can't
> see them either.
> I've physically removed the drives and reseated them, and their cables.
> I'm thinking of downloadng this :-
> http://dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_cd_dvd_fix.htm
> Do you think it's safe?
>
> J
--
The Grandmaster of the CyberFROG
Come get your ticket to CyberFROG city
Nay, Art thou decideth playeth ye simpleton games. *Some* of us know proper
manners
Very few. I used to take calls from *rank* noobs but got fired the first day on
the job for potty mouth,
Hamster isn't a newsreader it's a mistake!
El-Gonzo Jackson FROGS both me and Chuckcar
Master Juba was a black man imitating a white man imitating a black man
Using my technical prowess and computer abilities to answer questions beyond
the realm of understandability
Regards Tony... Making usenet better for everyone everyday
Tony
Chuck's advice and you'll be down at the local computer store buying a new
computer very soon.
Jim wrote:
--
chuckcar
news:Lapan.163052$9A6....@newsfe07.ams2:
You run msconfig (sic) and disable startup, config.sys and autoexec.bat
then apply and restart. If the drives then show up, that was it.
VanguardLH
Only on your hosts, chuck. If you'd move off that old 9x-based version of
Windows then you wouldn't have to install real-mode (DOS) drivers to gain
access (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/194846).
If optical drives were not accessible in Safe Mode, why do KB articles
mention how to use them in Safe Mode?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313554
It suggests you can reboot into safe mode and then install the program (from
the CD drive with which you have problems due to a conflicting driver
setup).
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914222
Has you copying a file from the install CD after booting into safe mode.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309191
Suggests installing MS Office after rebooting into safe mode. Hmm, so on
just what installation media did you receive that legitimately purchased
copy of MS office? The rest of us got it on a CD.
Some programs (that do not require the Windows Installer service) suggest to
reboot into Safe Mode to do their installation. Since they are distributed
on CD media or are stored there, and based on your host's problems, yeah,
perhaps YOU couldn't install those programs - but the rest of us can.
Do a Google search and you'll find users reporting that their CD/DVD drive
is only accessible from within safe mode. They're loading something in
normal mode that interferes with their access but these drives ARE
accessible in safe mode when the conflicting software is not loaded.
The OP never did mention what OS he uses. However, from the text within the
link to Doug's fix-it utility and because the page therefor notes it is for
XP, it would appear the OP is running some version of Windows XP. It would
appear the OP is using an NT-based version of Windows. Don't know what you
are running where the CD/DVD drives are inaccessible in safe mode but it's
not a problem for the rest of us using an NT-based version of Windows.
Tony
footstool.
Evan Platt wrote:
> On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 05:42:29 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar <ch...@nil.car>
> wrote:
>
> >> Not sure which type of driver I have, how do I tell?
> >>
> >You run msconfig (sic) and disable startup, config.sys and autoexec.bat
> >then apply and restart. If the drives then show up, that was it.
>
> Wow.. Just plain .. wow.
>
> Not only is that stock chucktard advice, but it reminds me of the guy
> who went hunting with his friend and accidentally shoots him. Calls
> 911:
> "Hi, 911? My friend... I think he's dead."
> "Can you put the phone down and make sure?"
> "Ok. Hold on.."
> <Gunshot>
> "Yep, he's dead. Now what?"
> --
> To reply via e-mail, remove The Obvious and .invalid from my e-mail address.
Tony
back on the virus theory thus confusing everyone in the thread even more.
VanguardLH wrote:
--
freemont
>>
> CDROM/DVDROM drives don't appear or work in safe mode.
>>
lol!
Another one for the file.
--
"Because all you of Earth are idiots!"
¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·-> freemont© <-·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯
thund3rstruck
> You run msconfig (sic) and disable startup, config.sys and autoexec.bat
> then apply and restart. If the drives then show up, that was it.
And how is that any different than his trying Safe Mode?
n0i
english_dude
poss Nero, and got it back by deleting something called upper + lower
filters in the registry
details in the 'let me fix it myself' section on this page
~BD~
Good answer! :)
It once happened to me too (using Windows XP)
My local computer shop suggested that I needed a new CD/DVD Drive (by
phone) but when I explored further I found the Microsoft support item
here mentioned.
It worked and my drive was resurrected!
--
Dave
Aardvark
> msconfig (sic)
What the fuck's that all about? Nobody mentioned msconfig, and nobody
misspelled it either.
--
Algy met a bear
The bear was bulgy
The bulge was Algy
chuckcar
8fba-583...@g29g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:
Yes, that would be the driver being installed that I was talking about
earlier. It can vary, it can overwrite the existing working controller with
one that isn't in the computer, overwrite the drive driver with one that's
not compatible and so on.
chuckcar
> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 23:06:29 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>
>>Meat Plow <.> wrote in news:3g9j1c....@news.alt.net:
>>
>>> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:11:42 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
>>> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>>>
>>>>Meat Plow wrote in news:3g9hee....@news.alt.net:
>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:45:59 +0000 (UTC), chuckcar
>>>>> <ch...@nil.car>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> OP said the BIOS enumerated the drives so that blows the
>>>>> cable/jumper/controller theory.
>>>>
>>>>Only *one* of them.
>>>
>>> Really? Quote that if you don't mind.
>>
>>Message-ID: <eFfan.169558$Q36....@newsfe19.ams2>
>>
>>It's only about 4 lines of text by him. Possibly ambiguous
>
> Quote:
>
> "My bios sees the drives...'at least it sees the secondary master (my
> dvd player), but says my cd-writer is 'not installed'. I've removed
> all drives and cables, replaced them, but still the same scenario."
>
> The BIOS would not say "cd-writer not installed".
>
> At this point the OP should download something like Puppy Linux and
> see if he can boot from the DVD player if it reads CDR. I think this
> is a case of a fubared CDR, the OP should replace both drives with
> just one CDR/DVDR.
>
Or as I suggested try booting from the XP cd.
Respondant
If it "spun" it's got power. Have you even TRIED doing a system restore
back to before the problem began like I suggested a few days back? If not,
DO so. You've been mucking around with so much for so long now, nobody can
possibly know what's what with your machine any longer. DO the restore. IF
no joy. Reinstall XP (full format) and be done with it. The chances of
either the data and/or power cables being a problem are minimal at best.
G. Morgan
>No exclamation marks, no sign at all. They are pata.
At this point I would load a Linux live CD, or try to boot from a
Windows installation CD/DVD and see if it's hardware or software
related.
If you're able to boot from a CD/DVD then you can concentrate on
software. Specifically, in the Device Manager look at the controllers
and see what mode they are operating in (DMA or PIO) and try to change
that.
G. Morgan
>CDROM/DVDROM drives don't appear or work in safe mode.
Chucktard.... stop giving "advice" to this poor soul immediately. You
are 100% wrong that last statement proves it beyond a shadow of a
doubt.
Respondant
> "Jim" <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com> wrote:
>
>> No exclamation marks, no sign at all. They are pata.
>
> At this point I would load a Linux live CD, or try to boot from a
> Windows installation CD/DVD and see if it's hardware or software
> related.
No. At THIS point he should try a system restore to a point before *both*
optical drives went missing if he hasn't already. Do you really believe
that *both* drives shit the bed at the same time?
> If you're able to boot from a CD/DVD then you can concentrate on
> software. Specifically, in the Device Manager look at the controllers
> and see what mode they are operating in (DMA or PIO) and try to change
> that.
Arrrrgghhhhh! He's already changed everything in sight.
Uninstalled/Downloaded/Reinstalled drivers, reassigned drive letters,
removed *both* drives from device manager and let Windows automatically try
to detect them on reboot, etc ... And NOTHING has worked. And GAWD knows
what else he's done that he hasn't posted? The registry's probably FUBAR,
and it's likely that nothing will 'fix it' short of a format and reinstall.
If he's got data on the machine he needs, he should pop-in a USB thumb,
off-load, and then proceed with a (full) format/reinstall. Unless of
course, he enjoys delaying the inevitable.
Zu Arsschlaark!
"Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in message
news:hkf510$8hd$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
A hardware fail is not out of the question ..
I had a similiar problem, tried all those sorts of fixes, it turned out I
just needed a new DVD drive ..
Ok so it still had "power" but some other part of it was obviously pooched
..
The advice to try to boot up from CD is relevant, thats how i ascertained
it was hardware rather than software.
From seeing the OP's replies he is still trying to get a CD to test that out
..
Zu Arsschlaark!
"Meat Plow" <.> wrote in message news:3gb9bu....@news.alt.net...
> On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 01:28:31 -0000, "Jim"
> <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com>wrote:
> cables again. If you have some spare cash maybe $50 or less buy a
> drive that does both DVDR and CDR. That DVD ROM drive has to be
> ancient in terms of the evolving technology.
And one unit take up less IRQ's that 2 separates? Could that be it, then?
chuckcar
news:hkf510$8hd$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>> Something 'strange' just happened. I put a dvd into the dvd player,
>> it spun, but that's all. I then attempted to put a cd into my
>> cd-writer, but it didn't even open up. Looks like there's no power
>> getting to it, but I did check the cables before and it looked okay.
>> Could it be that this is causing the whole problem? The pc is stuck
>> away in a corner under my desk, so I will have to wait until the
>> morning (and daylight) to have a look inside again. Thanks for the
>> help thus far guys!
>
> If it "spun" it's got power. Have you even TRIED doing a system
> restore back to before the problem began like I suggested a few days
> back? If not, DO so. You've been mucking around with so much for so
> long now, nobody can possibly know what's what with your machine any
> longer. DO the restore. IF no joy. Reinstall XP (full format) and
> be done with it. The chances of either the data and/or power cables
> being a problem are minimal at best.
>
>
Will you *forget* about system restore already. It will do *nothing* in
this case and is only likely to make other things worse.
chuckcar
news:hkfceb$d4g$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
> G. Morgan wrote:
>
>> "Jim" <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com> wrote:
>>
>>> No exclamation marks, no sign at all. They are pata.
>>
>> At this point I would load a Linux live CD, or try to boot from a
>> Windows installation CD/DVD and see if it's hardware or software
>> related.
>
> No. At THIS point he should try a system restore to a point before
> *both* optical drives went missing if he hasn't already. Do you
> really believe that *both* drives shit the bed at the same time?
>
No, he certainly *shouldn't* that will only take it back to a time where
there could be other problems. A system restore is a last ditch effort
period. We aren't anywhere near that. Besides, a system restore won't make
a single bit of diference in whenther a cdrom boots or not.
>> If you're able to boot from a CD/DVD then you can concentrate on
>> software. Specifically, in the Device Manager look at the
>> controllers and see what mode they are operating in (DMA or PIO) and
>> try to change that.
>
> Arrrrgghhhhh! He's already changed everything in sight.
> Uninstalled/Downloaded/Reinstalled drivers, reassigned drive letters,
> removed *both* drives from device manager and let Windows
> automatically try to detect them on reboot, etc ... And NOTHING has
> worked. And GAWD knows what else he's done that he hasn't posted?
> The registry's probably FUBAR, and it's likely that nothing will 'fix
> it' short of a format and reinstall. If he's got data on the machine
> he needs, he should pop-in a USB thumb, off-load, and then proceed
> with a (full) format/reinstall. Unless of course, he enjoys delaying
> the inevitable.
>
Nope. You're wrong. You start with the BIOS and work upwards. The registry
is irelevent at this point and it can always be *fixed* not restored,
fixed.
freemont
> "G. Morgan" <usenet...@gawab.com> wrote in message
> news:cb7km59aeok82fkrs...@4ax.com...
>> "Jim" <ehtng...@fhtyfgshtm.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I only see my hard drives there, and my usb card reader, but no sign of
>>>the
>>>optical drives.
>>
>> Okay, what about in the Device Manager, see any bangs (exclamation
>> marks)?
>>
>> Also, are the optical's PATA or SATA? You could try to switch cables
>> around and see if the cable/controller is bad.
>>
>>
>>
> No exclamation marks, no sign at all. They are pata.
In Device Manager, can you see primary and secondary IDE channels? If you
see only the primary channel, try uninstalling the IDE controller and
rebooting, and maybe it'll pick up the secondary channel again.
Beauregard T. Shagnasty
> A system restore is a last ditch effort period. [full stop]
Heh. The system restore is often the *first* line of defence for Windows
users.
--
-bts
-Four wheels carry the body; two wheels move the soul
G. Morgan
>
>No. At THIS point he should try a system restore to a point before *both*
>optical drives went missing if he hasn't already. Do you really believe
>that *both* drives shit the bed at the same time?
I wouldn't bother with a system restore. If the OS is fucked up then
he should just go for a re-install.
The reason the should try to boot from an optical media is to see if
the mobo's disk controller took a shit. I still don't know if it's
hardware or software related. Trying to boot from a CD is a quick,
easy, safe, and FAST way to find out. Doing a system restore is not a
troubleshooting technique.
G. Morgan
>The advice to try to boot up from CD is relevant, thats how i ascertained
>it was hardware rather than software.
>From seeing the OP's replies he is still trying to get a CD to test that out
I agree.
G. Morgan
>Will you *forget* about system restore already. It will do *nothing* in
>this case and is only likely to make other things worse.
I never thought I'd write this:
I agree with this post from Chucktard.
G. Morgan
>I've used the restore function occasionally. But if you go back far
>enough it's going to completely reverse any mods or application
>installations and data modification. This could be disastrous.
Yep. It's a very last resort just to get a stable system back so he
can grab non-back'uped files.
Definitely not a troubleshooting technique.
Respondant
> On Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:06:49 -0600, G. Morgan
> <usenet...@gawab.com>wrote:
> I've used the restore function occasionally. But if you go back far
> enough it's going to completely reverse any mods or application
> installations and data modification. This could be disastrous.
I've never had a 'disaster' occur using system restore. I've gone back on
people's machines sometimes more than month, and the worst thing that ever
happened was, (paraphrasing) "Windows could not succesfully restore to
this date. Please chose another restore point."
Not exactly my idea of a 'disaster'.
Respondant
Ya mean like the rest of you already have? It was a last ditch suggestion
since he's tried about everything else already.
Respondant
> "Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote:
>
>>
>> No. At THIS point he should try a system restore to a point before
>> *both* optical drives went missing if he hasn't already. Do you
>> really believe that *both* drives shit the bed at the same time?
>
> I wouldn't bother with a system restore. If the OS is fucked up then
> he should just go for a re-install.
At this point, it couldn't hurt anything.
> The reason the should try to boot from an optical media is to see if
> the mobo's disk controller took a shit. I still don't know if it's
> hardware or software related. Trying to boot from a CD is a quick,
> easy, safe, and FAST way to find out. Doing a system restore is not a
> troubleshooting technique.
It CAN be, depending on the extent of the problem.
Respondant
[From Jim's original post; "My optical drives have vanished from windows
explorer. Device manager can't
see them either.
I've physically removed the drives and reseated them, and their cables."]
*Notice* he said optical drive*s* (plural) So you think both/all optical
drives *physically* failed at approximately the SAME TIME? Possible, but
highly unlikely.
> I had a similiar problem, tried all those sorts of fixes, it turned
> out I just needed a new DVD drive
He said *DRIVES*, not drive, and *THEM*, not it.
> Ok so it still had "power" but some other part of it was obviously
> pooched ..
> The advice to try to boot up from CD is relevant, thats how i
> ascertained it was hardware rather than software.
> From seeing the OP's replies he is still trying to get a CD to test
> that out ..
Be nice to hear back from him at some point. I'll be happy (for Jim) to
admit I'm wrong if I am. :-)
Respondant
Yeah. OK Chuck. Whatever you say.
chuckcar
news:hkhgaj$o2e$2...@news.eternal-september.org:
> chuckcar wrote:
>
>> "Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in
>> news:hkf510$8hd$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>> Will you *forget* about system restore already. It will do *nothing*
>> in this case and is only likely to make other things worse.
>
> Ya mean like the rest of you already have? It was a last ditch
> suggestion since he's tried about everything else already.
>
Not even close. No one has restored the MBR for example.
chuckcar
> On Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:06:49 -0600, G. Morgan
> <usenet...@gawab.com>wrote:
>
> I've used the restore function occasionally. But if you go back far
> enough it's going to completely reverse any mods or application
> installations and data modification. This could be disastrous.
Absolutely. In addition, you have no way of knowing if the registry to
change to is any less corrupt.
Respondant
> "Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote:
>
>>
>> No. At THIS point he should try a system restore to a point before
>> *both* optical drives went missing if he hasn't already. Do you
>> really believe that *both* drives shit the bed at the same time?
>
> I wouldn't bother with a system restore. If the OS is fucked up then
> he should just go for a re-install.
*IF*? It most certainly *IS*. He can obviously boot the machine. His
problem is that *all* his optical drives are 'gone'. Nobody knows how many
he has, but at least *two* went missing AT THE SAME TIME, which makes
hardware failure unlikely at best.
> The reason the should try to boot from an optical media is to see if
> the mobo's disk controller took a shit.
Oh for heaven's sake.
> I still don't know if it's
> hardware or software related.
In order for you to believe it's HARDWARE related, you *must* agree that 2
(or more) of his optical drivesl failed at the same time. Period.
> Trying to boot from a CD is a quick,
> easy, safe, and FAST way to find out.
No kiddin'?
Zu Arsschlaark!
"Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in message
/Respondant styleee ...
Yes, *I* *GOT* *THAT* *IT* *WAS* *PLURAL* *WAY* *BACK* - *NO*
*NEED* *TO* *SHOUT* ...
/
Respondant
> Yes, *I* *GOT* *THAT* *IT* *WAS* *PLURAL* *WAY* *BACK* -
Evidently not. But I'll allow you the last word here since it seems it may
make you feel better about yourself.
Go ahead. Ther'e all kinda space below. :-)
Zu Arsschlaark!
"Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in message
Its for the OP to have the last word.
chuckcar
news:hki40s$g02$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
> Zu Arsschlaark! wrote:
>> "Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in message
>> news:hkhgte$thv$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> Zu Arsschlaark! wrote:
>>>
>>> optical drives *physically* failed at approximately the SAME TIME?
>>> Possible, but highly unlikely.
>>>
>>>> I had a similiar problem, tried all those sorts of fixes, it turned
>>>> out I just needed a new DVD drive
>>>
>>> He said *DRIVES*, not drive, and *THEM*, not it.
>>>
>> Yes, *I* *GOT* *THAT* *IT* *WAS* *PLURAL* *WAY* *BACK* -
>
> Evidently not. But I'll allow you the last word here since it seems
> it may make you feel better about yourself.
>
> Go ahead. Ther'e all kinda space below. :-)
>
Do you not understand the meaning of words in capitals on usenet?
softnfurry
"chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
news:Xns9D1E933...@127.0.0.1...
I thought they worked quite nicely in that context...
anyway, you are a week behind the rest of us.
chuckcar
news:hl75k7$j44$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>
>
> "chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
> news:Xns9D1E933...@127.0.0.1...
>> "Respondant" <Respo...@nonemail.not> wrote in
>> news:hki40s$g02$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>>>>> He said *DRIVES*, not drive, and *THEM*, not it.
>>>>>
>>>> Yes, *I* *GOT* *THAT* *IT* *WAS* *PLURAL* *WAY* *BACK* -
>>>
>>> Evidently not. But I'll allow you the last word here since it seems
>>> it may make you feel better about yourself.
>>>
>>> Go ahead. Ther'e all kinda space below. :-)
>>>
>> Do you not understand the meaning of words in capitals on usenet?
>>
> I thought they worked quite nicely in that context...
> anyway, you are a week behind the rest of us.
>
Usenet is a real time chat board now?
I follow up on threads I posted to over the last week to check on OP's
problems/resolutions thereof.
softnfurry
"chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
news:Xns9D1EB85...@127.0.0.1...
and to nitpick, obviously...
chuckcar
news:hl7rep$d4g$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>
>
> "chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
> news:Xns9D1EB85...@127.0.0.1...
>> "softnfurry" <softn...@nospam.com.> wrote in
>> news:hl75k7$j44$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>>>> Go ahead. Ther'e all kinda space below. :-)
>>>>>
>>>> Do you not understand the meaning of words in capitals on usenet?
>>>>
>>
>>> I thought they worked quite nicely in that context...
>>> anyway, you are a week behind the rest of us.
>>>
>> Usenet is a real time chat board now?
>>
>> I follow up on threads I posted to over the last week to check on OP's
>> problems/resolutions thereof.
>>
> and to nitpick, obviously...
>
I'm the probably the *least* likely candidate for that among the frequent
posters here. Stating something the was quite likely not known by the
relevant poster hardly qualifies in any case.
softnfurry
"chuckcar" <ch...@nil.car> wrote in message
news:Xns9D1EEA0...@127.0.0.1...
Yeah, my mistake, mixed you up with someone else.
I take it back...