So, BOTH of my cd/dvd drives are kaput.

[thecrow]

Any ideas? They both went at the same time, but are from different manufacturers.
I'm going to look for drivers for the HP one... it's very old.
I have no idea of what make is the other one.
Ideas/diagnostics welcome.
Thanks!

[PoliticAverse]

1. What Operating System are you running?

Have another computer you can test the drives on?

[thecrow]

2. I am running xp

and, yes, I have another computer I can test it on.... I never thought of that.

The weird thing is, I thought of the drivers being the problem, so I dl'ed new drivers and it wouldn't let me install them because it says I have to install the original files first... AND THEY ARE ON CD's!!!

One drive is an optiarc dvd ad-7170a
and the other is HP Dvd Writer 300i

I have software for the hp only, unless my computer man put the optiarc in some dusty forgotten bag at the back of my desk. So I guess I'll try to give the HP a go.

Thanks!

[PoliticAverse]

4. Not sure what shoftware you'd need for the Optiarc...

More info here: http://www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/dvddrives/desktop/ad7170asandawg170as.html

[Mnpaul]

3. I'm guessing the solution to your problem

may be found here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060

and that resolution #2 will fix what ails you

[thecrow]

5. Thank you!

I am having trouble with this one...
I'm on the "update the drivers" stage, and my computer won't take it. It actually read a CD so that's a step in the right direction, but the tray isn't opening, and the files aren't able to be seen yet.

I tried the registry editor solution, but at the key mentioned, I had no upper or lower filters so I just left that one alone. I'm down to step 5 already, but I have to back up my registry before I do that.

[hobbit709]

6. If the tray isn't opening, get a new drive. That has nothing to do with Windows.

how old is it. IDE drives are getting hard to find. If it's a SATA drive you can get a replacement for under $20. You really don't need any special drivers for a CD/DVD drive.

[thecrow]

8. My computer IS getting on in years.

I was looking for an IDE drive tonight and some of them are EXPENSIVE!

Ordered a sata drive from Newegg, but I think I may have to just ramp up the whole machine.
I got the CD/DVD drives out tonight and had a look at them... my bios said one of them was the slave drive, but there was no master. Thinking I was on to something, I disconnected one of them and behold! the one that was left worked, or worked well enough for us to update and install out Tax Cut program (which was the reason for getting involved in all this).
But it would only take one at a time being hooked up and only as slave drives. Don't know what that's about!
So that's where I am right now... still in semi-limbo, but I did manage to get the tax program installed.

I only have 4 sata "plugs" on my MB... does anyone know if there is such a thing as a sata splitter that you can use to hook up two devices instead of one, and do they work?
My MB is about 10 years old... maybe I should update?

Thanks for all the help here!!!

[hobbit709]

10. SATA is one drive per port only.

How many hard drives are you using?
If you really want an IDE burner check ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=&Type=Internal%2520Desktop%2520Drive&_dcat=131542&Readable%2520Format%2528s%2529=DVD%252DRW&_osacat=131542&Writable%2520Format%2528s%2529=DVD%252DR%2520Dual%2520Layer&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l2632.R2.TR11.TRC1.A0.H6.Xide+dvd.TRS0&_nkw=ide+dvd+burner&ghostText=&_sacat=165

[Fumesucker]

7. There is usually a small hole on the drive just big enough to accept a straightened paperclip

That's the manual release for the tray, it will be on the front somewhere so you push that straightened paperclip in until you feel resistance then press a bit harder and the tray should unlock and can be slid open.

[thecrow]

9. Good to know!!

Thanks, Fumesucker!

Gosh... your computer looks so clean!