computer won't rocognize dvd burner

sshart · #1 Aug 22, 2007, 07:20 AM

My computer won't rocognize my dvd burner. I have even bought a new dvd burner thinking that is the problem. I have used different cables. Still no luck. I plug everything in, then go to My computer and it is just not there. Please help me.

retsoksirhc · Aug 22, 2007, 07:30 AM

Did you make sure to set the jumper on the back of the drive to the correct setting before you isntalled it?
If it's an IDE drive, like most still are at the moment, you have to set it to either Master, Slave, Single, or Cable Select. i don't reccoment Cable Select.

On one IDE cable, there can only be one master and one slave. If there is only one drive, you will set it to either Master or Single (depending on the drive). Somtimes, Master and Slave have to be plugged into a specific spot on the cable, too (Either first or second, away from the motherboard)

Be sure that when you plugged the IDE cable in, you also plugged in the power cable. It's amazing how long it can take you to realize somthing like that (I couldn't get my drive to open for about half an hour before I realized that I did this once). You could also try a different power plug, that one may have gone bad.

You also need to make sure that the port you're using is enabled in the BIOS. Your motherboard manual should have instructions on how to access thie BIOS. Basically, if you go in, find the Drive configuration, and set everything to Auto, most of the time it will work.

Good luck.

sshart · Aug 22, 2007, 08:50 AM

Thank you for your help. I switched the jumper to master, The power is plugged in, still does not show up. I can't find motherboard manual to check the bios. I have no idea how to find drive configurations. Thanks

retsoksirhc · Aug 22, 2007, 11:49 AM

Usually, when you boot up there is a screen that says somthing similar to "Press F1 for setup". Basically, once you see a bunch of text on the screen (Or it can be a logo of who manufactured it), you have to press the key before the screen goes away.

Common keys: F1, F2, F10, F12, ESC, DEL, Ctrl-F1

Just look through the option, and if you see somthing that says IDE Primary and IDE Secondary, set everything to Automatic.

sshart · Aug 28, 2007, 04:58 AM

Thank you for all of your help. It took a long time to figure it out. The BIOS was reading it.
finally figured out that the burn program we were using messed with the registry.
Thanks again



At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you will be able to: Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+ topics. Accept money for answers that you provide. Communicate privately with other members (PM). See fewer ads. Sign Up!