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CD-Rom icon missing!

Hi

I am running windows XP. I own a Acer PC. For past month, my DVD-Rom is not reading any CDs or DVDs. Icon in My Computer is also missing.

When I put in a CD, the light on it will flash for a few seconds then it stops. and nothing happens.

I have tried backup to last year but still nothing.

What can I do?

Thanks

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
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And just to let you know, DVD Rom is the one that was company fitted.

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Try a full system restore. It could also be a hardware problem with your optical drive (i.e your cd/dvd drive).

iamthwee
Posting Expert
5,950 posts since Aug 2005
Reputation Points: 1,543
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Didn't work.

How do I know if it is hardware problem?

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

If you can't see the icon in My Computer then the CD is not communicating. You can see the light flashing when you trun the c on - that means there is power getting to it. Turn thecomputer OFF. Open the case and make sure the IDE cable is plugged in firmly on both ends - System board AND the back of the CD ROM. Pull them out and plug in again. Sometimes they can work themselves loose. If that doesn't work then try replacing the whole cable

Julees
Newbie Poster
13 posts since Nov 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 1
 
If you can't see the icon in My Computer then the CD is not communicating. You can see the light flashing when you trun the c on - that means there is power getting to it. Turn thecomputer OFF. Open the case and make sure the IDE cable is plugged in firmly on both ends - System board AND the back of the CD ROM. Pull them out and plug in again. Sometimes they can work themselves loose. If that doesn't work then try replacing the whole cable



Thanks mate. I have tried that too. Didn't work. Guess I will have to take it to a technician.

And just to let you know, I am from Auckland to ;)

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

UPDATE:: I just plugged in my mp3 player to USB port. Even the "Removable disk" icon didn't show up. MP3 stated charging as soon as I plugged it in which indicates it is connected properly. What does this suggest? Any ideas?

Thanks. .

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

[##] is just a marker in the instructions....
I'm going to guess that something has corrupted a few registry entries for you. For a start, try this: go start > run, type devmgmt.msc and OK. Is there a yellow icon beside the DVD and USB entries? Expand the DVD/CD entry, highlight your DVD drive, [##] and go Action, select Scan for h'ware changes. Nothing more than a brief msg box should open. Do the same for your USB Controllers. Anything work now?
Yes? ...great.
No? ... well, that happens. Follow the instructions again to [##]. Now rclick your DVD drive and select Uninstall and follow through.
In the run box type regedit, OK. Navigate to this subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Highlight that subkey by lclicking it - in the right pane if you see Upperfilters and/or Lowerfilters then rclick on those names and Delete them, and close the Registry window. Reboot your pc. DVD working? Good, now update the DVD drivers...

gerbil
Industrious Poster
4,209 posts since May 2005
Reputation Points: 239
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The USB missing is helpful. This icon missing is sometimes due to a mapped drive being present.
Have you got any "Mapped drives". If yes, then rename the mapped drive to say "K" (Use Disk Management in Administrative tools), and have another look for the icons.
Also, can you see your CD/DVD in Device manager Control panel> system > Hardware > Device manager?

You are in Auckland? Did you feel the earthquakes last night?

Julees
Newbie Poster
13 posts since Nov 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 1
 

Guess what, CD/DVD is completly missing in Device manager. Is this weird?

I did that registry part couple of days ago after checking on Microsoft website.

I don't even know what mapped drives are - sorry!

No, luckily I didn't feel the quakes. I heard that they were mainly in north part of Auckland. I reside in south Auckland.

Thanks for your replies.

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

Contact Acer customer support.

hksaddict
Newbie Poster
18 posts since Jan 2007
Reputation Points: 11
Solved Threads: 1
 

Any ideas?

CWD
Newbie Poster
9 posts since Jul 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

well if you've done a complete reformat and installed all the requisite drivers, it can only be a hardware problem surely?

In that case get in touch with customer support as mentioned before.

iamthwee
Posting Expert
5,950 posts since Aug 2005
Reputation Points: 1,543
Solved Threads: 439
 

If you have really replaced the cable and you still cant see the CD then the CD is faulty and the next thing you need to do is to replace that.

Julees
Newbie Poster
13 posts since Nov 2006
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 1
 

This article has been dead for over three months

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