Both, get power and at least spin the disks

A known working floppy when inserted receives error message" disk not formatted"

When cds are used, the operating system temporarily locks up as the rom attempts to read the media. Eventually function returns but disk can not be opened or explored.

I tried a known working CD rom. No change

1.4ghz PC running XP,

Thanks for your help
Jim

Hmm, 1.4GHz cpu... PC is probably at least 6 years old? Has this computer ever been opened? Or upgraded?

In anycase, you'll need to open up the case, and check that cables are fully inserted.

While its opened, you should probably take a vacuum cleaner and some compressed air and clean out the dust.

I work with old pc's, and its always the cd-rom or floppy that dies first. So it may be finally time to replace them.

In anycase, you'll need to open up the case, and check that cables are fully inserted.


I work with old pc's, and its always the cd-rom or floppy that dies first. So it may be finally time to replace them.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the response but if you read my initial question, I have tried a new CD rom with no effect.

The computer locks up temporarally when a disk is inserted, so that means there must be some kind of interaction between the drives and the motherboard.

Unless it the monther board, I don't think it's a hardware problem

I've also reinstalled the drivers for both the drives