faulty cd drive?

Timmothias · July 19th, 2005, 10:18 PM

I just built this computer and lately my master cd drive has been giving me trouble. I've had it for about 5 years, so unless I broke it during the install, it shouldn't be defective. The problem is that whenever I put in a cd, use it, and then take it out and put in another one, one of two thigns happens. When I attempt to enter the cd drive via my computer, either I get an error message that says something like "there was an I/O error with this device" or I am allowed into the cd (so to speak) but once there, all the files are the same ones from the old cd (the one not in the drive anymore.) Of course, when I try to use one of them, I get an error message, but what on earth could cause this phantom cd to appear?

My only ideas are that it is something with the ata drivers, the mobo, the connections, the way I connected it, or it's just plain broke. The drivers, mobo, and connections I might rule out because I have another cd drive on the same ide channel and it works fine (even though I haven't tried to burn a cd with it yet.) I also can't imagine how I would have broken it on installation. I never dropped it or bumped it even. I did have to replug in the connections a few times because the jumpers weren't right, but I tried to do that carefully. So I really don't know what is wrong. can anyone help?

forgot to mention that rebooting the system usually solves the problem, even though it's hardly worth it every time since I have another working drive.

speck317 · July 19th, 2005, 10:31 PM

You're right, if there's another CD drive working on the same IDE channel and you just built the computer, chances are it's the drive or the drivers. With the CD drive being as old as it is, it may be time for an upgrade since you just built a new computer anyway, but if you don't want to buy a new one, download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website and install them (remember to completely uninstall the existing drivers). If the problem persists, check to make sure there are no IRQ conflicts with anything. I really doubt an IRQ conflict would cause this, but it's worthwhile to check anyway since you're getting an I/O error.

Post a reply and let me know how it works out.

Timmothias · July 19th, 2005, 11:08 PM

alright I can't find any drivers for it. it's just some generic pos cd drive made by compaq and it doesn't seem a specific driver exists for it. I looked on driverguide and nothing.

also, there's no irq conflict between the pata's and anything else. I think the sata controller is conflicting with something but I don't even have a sata drive so that shouldn't matter.

supposing that it is a broken drive, how much am I going to have to spend for a new one? they have the all in one DVD reader/writer and CD reader/writer drives now right? will I be able to afford one of those for under 50? I guess it's time to start hunting newegg again.

speck317 · July 20th, 2005, 03:31 PM

newegg is a great idea. My burner is an NEC 16x dual layer DVD writer, which is pretty much the best you can get at the moment, and it only cost me $56. If you want just an 8x DVD writer/CD burner, you could probably find those for under $50. Always check NEC, they seem to have the best deals.

Sorry the other stuff didn't work out, but it's probably time to upgrade anyway.

wju425 · July 20th, 2005, 03:54 PM

Hit F5 to refresh everything.

\o/ Billy

elroy · July 20th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Newegg has the newest NEC 3540A DVD burner. Starting at $48 shipped.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152047
If $$ is an issue they also have an Aopen DVD burner for $38.99 shipped.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140117

Timmothias · July 20th, 2005, 10:43 PM

alright thx for the recommendations. I guess I'll end up forking over some more dough.