My Dell will not read any device attached to it unless the device is attached when the computer is turned on. If I put a CD in the drive it won't read it, if I start the computer with the CD in, then it reads it. This also goes for any other device plugged in.

Can you view the contents of your CD in Windows Explorer?

Sometimes it does, most the time no. If I start with the CD in it does. I get a message when I try to run a scan that there isn't a disc in the drive. This also happens when I attach anything through the ports.

Can you give us your windows version and some more information about your computer. Is your CD drive internal?

Also which other devices are you trying to use, and what connections (USB, Firewire etc.)?

I have a Dell system. Windows XP. If there is a disc in either of my cd drives when the computer starts up, it reads the disc. If I insert a disc after the computer is turned on, in either drive, it does not read it. Also goes for the same with my usb ports, it will only read something hooked to it, camera, scanner, flash drive if it is hooked up prior to the computer being turned on. It reads my printer because it's hooked up when the system turns on, but if I put a camera memeory card into my printer after it has been turned on, it does not read it. I checked my plug and play and it is on. I removed both cd drives and reinstalled them but nothing changed.

Here's a question for you: do you sometimes remove a CD from the drive and still see the index/contents of that CD in Windows Explorer even though it has been removed from the drive?

I'm not sure. I will have to check.