These two happening at ALMOST the same time could be coincidental…two boxes networked together. Virus? most recent removed http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.opaserv.h.worm.html.
Box one: The recently warranty-replaced, previously functioning LG DVD drive is suddenly unavailable, per similar situ in https://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00320020123jdt01.htm in my tower. Tried all the easy stuff. Most online help says “game over.”
BUT, networked to box one is:
Box two: Plextor 40/xx/xx CD/RW after working for months, locks up after a burn. Reboot and bzzzzzzzzz, the machine doesn’t even get past post. Disconnected the IDE cable and machine boots, functions normally. I didn’t know a faulty driver would prevent posting! Could this be a faulty controller issue, and I have two toasted optical drives?
This is probably coincidence, but I’m open to another evil reason and the possible need for an optical drive exorcism…