How to resolve cdrom problems?

I cannot access my cd/rom drive once my computer has completed startup. If I install an "emergency" CD (such as the system recovery cd that came with my computer) then restart my computer the cd drive will work until I start Windows. If i try to access it I get the error message "M/ is not available. The device is not ready".

I have replaced the drive with no change to the problem and have run the diagnostic program on the system recovery cd which reported that both the new CD and the old CD (after I had refitted it into the computer) were working correctly. I have also tried reloading the driver via the install new hardware option on the control panel but the system tells me that the correct driver is installed and that the device is working correctly.

I can only assume that one of the startup settings is not correct (even though I have not changed them).

Can you please help me?

Allan Palmer

This question was answered on October 26, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Does Windows support your hardware?

To find out whether your hardware is supported by Windows XP, check the Windows Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) at the Microsoft Web site.

Some hardware on the list might need updated drivers in order to be compatible with Windows, and you might be able to download these drivers using the HCL.

If your hardware is not on the HCL, Microsoft cannot guarantee that it will work with Windows However, the manufacturer of the hardware might have an updated driver that will allow it to work with Windows Contact the hardware manufacturer for further assistance.

Uninstall the driver for your device

Open Device Manager

Double-click the device category to display all devices in that category

Right-click the problem device, and then click Uninstall

In the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, click OK

If you receive a message that prompts you to restart your computer, click Yes to restart

Note

To open Device Manager, click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.

When you uninstall an existing driver and restart your computer, Windows should automatically detect your device and display a wizard that helps you reinstall the drivers for it If this wizard does not appear, reinstall a new driver manually.

Install a driver manually

Close any open programs

Start the Add Hardware Wizard

Click Next, and wait for Windows to search for Plug and Play hardware Most newer hardware is Plug and Play, so you will rarely need to go beyond this step

If no Plug and Play hardware is found, a list of hardware types appears Click Add a new hardware device, and then click Next

Click Install the hardware that I manually select from a list, and then click Next

In the Common hardware types list, click the appropriate hardware category, and then click Next

In the Manufacturers list, click the manufacturer of your hardware, and then in the Models list, click the model name.

Or, click Have Disk if you have an updated or third-party driver to install for your hardware

Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation

Note

To open the Add Hardware Wizard, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware Under See Also, click Add Hardware.

If reinstalling the driver does not work, check to see whether there is an updated driver available for your device You are likely to need an updated driver if you started having problems with your device right after you upgraded to Windows XP.

Try one of the following to search for an updated driver:

Check the Windows Update Web site for an updated driver To go to the Windows Update Web site, click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update

Contact the manufacturer of your device, or visit the manufacturer's Web site, to see if an updated driver is available

About the author

Posted by gilbert of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on October 26, 2004

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