CD/RW Controller Error?? And CD/RW Won't Work, Either??!! ..

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I installed a new cd/rw to replace one that had malfunctioned a few days ago. It is the exact same model, type, etc. When I boot up my pc, the light on the front of the cd/rw lights up, so I know that it's recognized by my pc (after I installed it, xp gave the message that new hardware was detected). However, it will not read or write to any type of cd's. The light on the cdrom turns green and then turns red and then does nothing. I also have a dvd player, and it seems to be working fine. I also looked in the advanced system folder to check the error log, and saw the following message beside cdrom: "The driver detected a controller error on \device\cdrom0" and also "The driver detected a controller error on \device\cdrom1", with multiple lines for the same dates.
I tried some of the tips that I read in this newsgroup, including deleting my lower filters (there were no upper filters listed), to no avail. Please help me figure this one out. I have been messing with this pc for almost 3 days now and am getting really frustrated.
Thank you so much for any advice you can give me!!
~ ~ Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Bad IDE ribbon cable?

--PA

"RhondaP" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:73D92A8D-2B46-4D0B-AC23-17A1450FEF20@microsoft.com...
> I installed a new cd/rw to replace one that had malfunctioned a few days ago. It is the exact same model, type, etc.
When I boot up my pc, the light on the front of the cd/rw lights up, so I know that it's recognized by my pc (after I
installed it, xp gave the message that new hardware was detected). However, it will not read or write to any type of
cd's. The light on the cdrom turns green and then turns red and then does nothing. I also have a dvd player, and it
seems to be working fine. I also looked in the advanced system folder to check the error log, and saw the following
message beside cdrom: "The driver detected a controller error on \device\cdrom0" and also "The driver detected a
controller error on \device\cdrom1", with multiple lines for the same dates.
> I tried some of the tips that I read in this newsgroup, including deleting my lower filters (there were no upper
filters listed), to no avail. Please help me figure this one out. I have been messing with this pc for almost 3 days
now and am getting really frustrated.
> Thank you so much for any advice you can give me!!
> ~ ~ Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

But if it was the ribbon cable, wouldn't that also affect my dvdrom, as they are both hooked up to the same ribbon cable?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Not necessarily.

Still suggest replace the cable - chances are you can return the cable if thats not the problem. If you prefer, using your existing IDE cable try this. Uninstall both DVDrom and CDRW drives in device manager, shutdown PC, swap the DVD rom and CDRW so that the DVDrom is now connected to the cable where the CDRW was and vice-versa (making sure the jumpers are set accordingly). Power on PC, WinXP should recognize both drives and install the drivers. If the CDRW works and the DVDrom does not then it is the cable that is the problem. If the CDRW is not working then maybe you got a DOA.

Let us know what you find.

PS - Is this the same reason why you replaced the CDRW - if not why (you didn't say).

----- RhondaP wrote: -----

But if it was the ribbon cable, wouldn't that also affect my dvdrom, as they are both hooked up to the same ribbon cable?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Well, as I said before, I am not a pc specialist (lol)....I did something really stupid. A cd busted inside of the old cdrw, and, brainy me, I forced open the cdrom because it was emitting a weird smell and the drawer was trying to open and close by itself. That, of course, caused the cdrom to malfunction because I had pried it open, so I ordered a replacement from emachines (the same type, model, etc.) and thought it would be as easy as taking the old one out and putting the new one in. Boy, was I wrong!
I emailed emachines and they told me to go into my BIOS settings (that took me a few minutes to understand) and to check to see if my cd drive was listed as the secondary master, which it wasn't. So I then opened up my pc (for about the umpteenth time) and changed the jumpers so my cdrom would be the master and the dvdrom would be the slave, then rebooted the pc and went into the BIOS again and saw that the cdrom was now listed as secondary master.
Now, when I try to use the cdrom drive, I get this message: "D is not accessible. The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error". Before, my drive was listed as "E", but now it's listed as "D" and my dvdrom drive is listed as "E". Also, my pc is recognizing the cdrw as just a cdrom (which might be normal...I don't have a clue).
So what I'm going to do now is to switch around my cable (I'm assuming it's the wide white/gray colored one) and give that a try. But if one part of the cable wasn't working (they are linked together), shouldn't the other not work also?
Boy, I have learned alot from this newsgroup! Still up for suggestions in case the cable-thing isn't the problem, though.
You guys have been great! I really appreciate all of your help!!
~ ~ Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Well, I switched the cables, but the cdrw still doesn't work. Guess I'll have to send it back to eMachines. I think I should have probably purchased one at Best Buy or somewhere like that, as it will probably take forever to receive a replacement. Thak you for all of your ideas and support!
~ ~ Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Rhonda, You are not the first, nor will you be the last to unintentionally mess up hardware.

Before touching anything in the case unplug all cables and ground yourself on the case to reduce the chance of static (PS also stand up and don't move your feet). No standing on carpet. Static Discharge = Damage

Regarding the cable - my theory is that when removing and reinstalling the cdrw, the ribbon cable connector (usually black) may have become damaged. Pulling on the connector only is sometimes difficult due to cramped locations and sometimes the cable is yanked a bit in the process. And yes, the DvDrom and cdrw is (typically) connected using the same cable and then terminated on the motherboard at the secondary IDE connection.

BTW, the next time you open the case remove the IDE cable from the back of the drive and inspect the "male" connection pins on the drive - they should all be lined up perfectly in two rows. Make sure the cable is not installed backwards (see Read articles below). While your at it remove the power cable from the back of the drive (white connector with 4 wires yellow, red and I think 2 black). I have seen instances where the wires partially pull out of the connector. Again all the male pins in a line and inserted the same amount into the white plastic connector.

Not wishing to go against your manufacturers recommendation - I thought I read somewhere that DVDroms don't like being the slave so they are usually the master and the CD burner is usually the slave. Reconfiguring them as per EMachines recommendation may be why (your quote) "Before, my drive was listed as "E", but now it's listed as "D" and my dvdrom drive is listed as "E"."

Note: If your optical drives have been switched, any application (usually games) that requires cd verification (ie the installation cd in the drive for copywrite verification) may have to be removed and reinstalled.

Read these articles:
http://www.pcmech.com/show/multimedia/82/ Double check " Make sure your ribbon cable has the red edge aligned with Pin 1 on the drive".
http://www.fonerbooks.com/ide_cd.htm

Best of luck, r

----- RhondaP wrote: -----

Well, as I said before, I am not a pc specialist (lol)....I did something really stupid. A cd busted inside of the old cdrw, and, brainy me, I forced open the cdrom because it was emitting a weird smell and the drawer was trying to open and close by itself. That, of course, caused the cdrom to malfunction because I had pried it open, so I ordered a replacement from emachines (the same type, model, etc.) and thought it would be as easy as taking the old one out and putting the new one in. Boy, was I wrong!
I emailed emachines and they told me to go into my BIOS settings (that took me a few minutes to understand) and to check to see if my cd drive was listed as the secondary master, which it wasn't. So I then opened up my pc (for about the umpteenth time) and changed the jumpers so my cdrom would be the master and the dvdrom would be the slave, then rebooted the pc and went into the BIOS again and saw that the cdrom was now listed as secondary master.
Now, when I try to use the cdrom drive, I get this message: "D is not accessible. The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error". Before, my drive was listed as "E", but now it's listed as "D" and my dvdrom drive is listed as "E". Also, my pc is recognizing the cdrw as just a cdrom (which might be normal...I don't have a clue).
So what I'm going to do now is to switch around my cable (I'm assuming it's the wide white/gray colored one) and give that a try. But if one part of the cable wasn't working (they are linked together), shouldn't the other not work also?
Boy, I have learned alot from this newsgroup! Still up for suggestions in case the cable-thing isn't the problem, though.
You guys have been great! I really appreciate all of your help!!
~ ~ Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

"RhondaP" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E6BDD3CD-3358-46CF-9A6D-7DA8DB7A732E@microsoft.com...
> But if it was the ribbon cable, wouldn't that also affect my dvdrom, as they are both hooked up to the same ribbon
cable?

Well, then.... master/slave jumpers?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I guess I am a little confused about this master/slave thing. My dvdrom is set to "CS" on the back, and it has a layout provided so I can see where the master, etc. should go. But on the backside of my cdrw, it does not show any type of "guide". I am attempting to use a Samsung SW-248F CD R/RW. Should both the dvd and cdrom be set to cs (cable select), or should they be different? I have opened up my pc so many times over the past few days, but then again, I am no pc techie (lol), so I don't really know what I am looking for, except to make sure the cables are secure. I really appreciate your help and suggestions. I am stumped!
Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Set the jumper on the DVD as master, and on CDRW as slave.

--PA

"RhondaP" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6B4ECFD1-4312-45DE-95A6-969175BEF836@microsoft.com...
> I guess I am a little confused about this master/slave thing. My dvdrom is set to "CS" on the back, and it has a
layout provided so I can see where the master, etc. should go. But on the backside of my cdrw, it does not show any type
of "guide". I am attempting to use a Samsung SW-248F CD R/RW. Should both the dvd and cdrom be set to cs (cable select),
or should they be different? I have opened up my pc so many times over the past few days, but then again, I am no pc
techie (lol), so I don't really know what I am looking for, except to make sure the cables are secure. I really
appreciate your help and suggestions. I am stumped!
> Rhonda

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I just changed the jumpers, but the cdrom still won't work. The dvdrom is still okay, but when I insert any type of cd into the cdrw, the green light flashes, then a red light, and then nothing happens. I even downloaded the firmware from the samsung website, but it didn't help, either. Any other suggestions would be very helpful and appreciated.
Thanks!
~ Rhonda