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Missing CD drive

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14 replies

by amdlee

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Computer is not acknowledging CD drive today. Not showing up anywhere in system. It was there yesterday, any ideas of what I can do to get it back? It's a Dell PC, with Windows 98. Also, I don't know if this related or not, but I noticed in the device manager, which I went into to see if the CD drive was at least listed, which it isn't, that there are alarming little exclamation points before some other things, specifically,
! standard display adapter
! primary IDE
! secondary IDE
(I don't know if this is related or not)

any clues and or advice? I tried shutting down my computer, but nothing changed.

thanks.
anne marie

14 replies

by sgt_shultz

yes, i think those exclamation points in the device manager are the important symptoms....
i would try removing the 'banged' devices and see if windows will redetect stuff normally.
did you change anything or add any equipment lately?
i wonder if a virus could do this...?
or you can start by proving, if you like, that your cd drive/cable and interface(s) are all ok. Do that by making a windows startup floppy. set your bios to boot from floppy (if not already) boot from the windows startup floppy, then pick start windows with cd rom support. you should be able to put in, say, your windows install cd and read the files on it...if you can't you may have bad hardware...

by chitosunday

Sounds like there is virus in your system. Update your antivirus and run it. I wonder why there is no problem in detecting your hard disk. Most virus will not only disable your cd drive but also your hard drive. If you cannot detect the virus because you don't have an updated antivirus, you have to delete your windows and other systems except your driver and and install it all again.

by sue t

When this happened to me on a Dell I had to clearned the NVRAM. You don't say what model so you will have to check Dells website for directions of which keys to hold down for this to happen. This took care of the problem on my Dell.

by amdlee

Thanks for helpful suggestions. Spent about 8hours yesterday trying to fix this problem, with no success unfortunately, but I do know it is a virus, NYB.A. Not sure where to go from here, probably Dell tech service...

anne marie

by otl

Tried a new CD drive in it yet ? Age of system, your CD may have gone out to lunch permanently. When the BIOS says it is not there, possibility of the it messing up is high.

Run the latest virus scan, if nothing is found, replace CD drive shold run fine then.

by brianmann57

you may have corrupted board drivers. did you delete some old programs or files latley?....DO you see the drive on the BIOS boo screen?...You can reload new board drivers if you need help doing that let me know

by amdlee

Success!!! I downloaded about six different virus programs, which claimed to scan AND remove. All indicated a boot sector virus located in memory but only a search for the specific virus located a program that actually removed it and RESTORED my CD player! The D: drive is back!! I am so happy and relieved. Thanks again for the helpful info & support.
anne marie

by amdlee

Success!!! I downloaded about six different virus programs, which claimed to scan AND remove. All indicated a boot sector virus located in memory but only a search for the specific virus located a program that actually removed it and RESTORED my CD player! The D: drive is back!! I am so happy and relieved. Thanks again for the helpful info & support.
anne marie

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