Drive Pains

Not too long ago I posted a problem in here with a CD-ROM drive. It would happily open and close, the drvie light would even flicker a while, but beyond that I would get no recognition that I inserted a CD. WinXP apparently recognised the drive, I could eject it from the desktop etc. it simply wouldn't run or acknowledge CD's.

Well I got myself a CD-RW which I needed anyway, and then not too long ago picked up an external combo drive DVD/CD-RW. Well now the CD-RW is doing exactly the same thing as the CD-ROM and I'm left only with the external.

I'm a bit annoyed really because although the CD-ROM drive is quite old, the RW isn't.

Could it be a power issue? Cleaning problem? I have no idea. Can anyone be of help?

Cheers.

Sounds daft, I know, but try the very simple thing of unplugging the IDE cable and plugging it back in. Or, if you have a spare, swap it out for a different cable.

I had similar troubles with a very old 8X speed drive... Windows could see it, the drive had power and all that, but otherwise it was dead. When I switched cables, it was back up and running at those blisteringly fast 8X speeds straight off.

I'll give it a shot, thanks.

i have a similar problem with my Creative DVD/CDR combo drive, i find when i insert a CD or DVD the busy light flashes on and off for about 30 seconds but windows does not see the disk. I found that the CD does not actually spin up (it is the same way round when i open the tray again).

When the drive decides it is not going to work i stick a screwdriver into the inards of the drive and spin the motor spindal with the end of the screwdriver. Sounds a little strange i know but it always works! :) I assume that the bearings have become clogged with dust or something so they need to be kicked up the arse to get them moving :)