Need Help, Computer won't recognize DVD optical drive

[dhinch279]

I bought a brand new Dell Optiplex 960 for work and when I got it Dell forgot to install the DVD drive. Dell told me that I ordered it that way, but I know I didn't. Why would I buy a brand new computer without a CD/DVD drive, but anyway it was an honest mistake on whoever's part so I just had them send me a new drive and install it myself since it takes all of 3 minutes. I installed it and it powers on, opens, and even spins the cd around, but the computer doesn't recognize the D drive and I can't load any software onto the computer. Dell is going to send someone out, but that won't be til wednesday of next week and I need the D drive before then. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Is IDE or SATA. Do you have the jumper correct on the back of the DVD master, slave, cable select. Boot to the bios setup and see if it is recognized there. tap on the F2 key as soon as you turn it on until your in the cmos and look at disk drives i believe its called. Maybe press F9 or whatever for optimal defaults or whatever defaults is says and check the drives again. Also in windows go to control panel and use the add new hardware program and follow the instructions but if it is recognized by the bios windows should automatically set it up.

 

[shane96ranger]

It's very possible to be a registry issue. For some reason I have had to fix a couple of computers using OEM versions of Vista (it could very well be coincidence that they are OEM versions) because they no longer recognized the DVD drive. Which OS are you running? Also, is it 32 or 64 bit?

If it is Vista (or 7?), type regedit in the search that comes up when you hit the windows logo (formerly the start button). Once this is open locate the following string: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} After you find this, and this is the problem, there may be some lines that say "upper filter" and one that says "lower filter". You can delete these lines. After you do this, reboot it and it should see it.

Let us know.

 

[dhinch279]

Thanks for the advice. I figured out what was wrong. I had to go to the boot setup and change the SATA settings and check the box SATA1 so the computer would enable the D drive. It took like 2 minutes, I can't believe Dell couldn't just tell me to do that in the first place.

 

[mjonesjr]

Most, if not all, Windows failure to read a drive can be corrected in the BIOS.

 

[mhughes165]

Thanks for the advice. I figured out what was wrong. I had to go to the boot setup and change the SATA settings and check the box SATA1 so the computer would enable the D drive. It took like 2 minutes, I can't believe Dell couldn't just tell me to do that in the first place.

well dude, when u own a dell u deal with shit like that, and u also have the knowledge that ur system has a built in death timer lol, dells only work for so long