PC won't recognize DVD drive

[reece]

Hi


I have the BenQ DW1640 DVD+/- R/RW drive in an external case. I connected the drive after a few days of non-use and now my PC will not recognize it. When I connect the USB cable the PC gives me a beep, which it usually does, but the device never actually shows as connected. I get a little bubble saying "this device can perform faster...if connected to a USB2 port," which is what always happens. I've tried different cables and different USB ports with no luck. I've also opened the external enclosure to make sure all cables are properly connected. I have other external devices, a hard drive and a printer, which are recognized by my PC. Have any of you come across this before. I'm running XP on an HP Pavillion 750n. Thanks for any help.

[TheMamba]

Oh man...I had a similar thing happen with one of my USB joysticks and it drove me nuts.

Here's a couple of ideas:

Are the other external devices plugged into the USB when you try to plug in the DVD drive? Try unplugging the others and only plugging in the DVD drive.

Drivers - check to see that the drivers for the DVD drive are installed in XP. While you're at it, check to make sure you have the most up to date drivers.

What I would probably do is uninstall any drivers associated with the DVD drive and then try reinstalling the DVD drive as if it was the first day you purchased it. Hopefully you still have the instruction booklet that came with it. Follow those directions to a T. You could also check on the BenQ website and see if they have the procedures for un-installing and re-installing there.

[reece]

Originally Posted by TheMamba

Here's a couple of ideas:

Are the other external devices plugged into the USB when you try to plug in the DVD drive? Try unplugging the others and only plugging in the DVD drive.

No luck

Originally Posted by TheMamba

Drivers - check to see that the drivers for the DVD drive are installed in XP. While you're at it, check to make sure you have the most up to date drivers.

What I would probably do is uninstall any drivers associated with the DVD drive and then try reinstalling the DVD drive as if it was the first day you purchased it. Hopefully you still have the instruction booklet that came with it. Follow those directions to a T. You could also check on the BenQ website and see if they have the procedures for un-installing and re-installing there.

Where would I check for the drivers. The only BenQ folder I have (program files folder) has a firmware check and firmware.

I did check their site but it was 2 am. I'll check again. I did email BenQ but I'm still waiting for a reply. I can't find my instruction booklet but I think I can download a manual on the site. Thanks for the suggestions.

[TheMamba]

Originally Posted by reece

Where would I check for the drivers. The only BenQ folder I have (program files folder) has a firmware check and firmware.

I did check their site but it was 2 am. I'll check again. I did email BenQ but I'm still waiting for a reply. I can't find my instruction booklet but I think I can download a manual on the site. Thanks for the suggestions.

Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs

Somtimes they get put there.

Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware Tab > Device Manager If you've never fooler around in this area, I suggest staying away from it - unless BenQ gives you detailed instructions.



When I was having my joystick problems...after I tried all of this multiple times, it turned out that the joystick was just fried. Is the light on the DVD drive coming on when you plug in the USB or does it have it's own outlet plug for electricity?

[reece]

Originally Posted by TheMamba

Is the light on the DVD drive coming on when you plug in the USB or does it have it's own outlet plug for electricity?

It has it's own outlet and the light does come on. BenQ replied with this:

Benq drives do not support use in an external case or box.

That's it. One line with no comment on why it was working before. Was I just lucky? Does that make sense to you? What's the difference between and external case and being docked inside the PC tower?

[thisistoto]

That doesnt necacerialy (wow bad spelling) mean that it wont work. Just that they wont help you with technical problems.

The main difference is the connection, USB in your case vs. a Serial/IDE connection inside the tower.

Go to your device manager and see if anything is flagged (including the drive when its connected)

I would first try to rule out a bad cable/bad USB slot by using it with something that you know works (ie i duno something)

Do you have automatic updates turned on? The reason why it worked once and not know is because during that time there could of been an update to a driver that doenst recognized the drive anymore.

[reece]

Originally Posted by thisistoto

That doesnt necacerialy (wow bad spelling) mean that it wont work. Just that they wont help you with technical problems.

That sucks.

Originally Posted by thisistoto

Go to your device manager and see if anything is flagged (including the drive when its connected)

The device doesn't show up und "DVD/CD ROM drives." It does show up under "USB Controllers," as "USB Mass Storage Device" and it is flagged. I double clicked and I get a "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". It suggests that my BIOS or EFI may be outdated. I'm going to check the HP website to see if there is an newer version.

Originally Posted by thisistoto

I would first try to rule out a bad cable/bad USB slot by using it with something that you know works (ie i duno something)

Do you have automatic updates turned on? The reason why it worked once and not know is because during that time there could of been an update to a driver that doenst recognized the drive anymore.

the cables/ports work fine with other devices.

the last auto update I had was January 12th but I have used it since then.


Thanks for your help. I have to stop the troubleshooting right now 'cause I'm going to see the Rebirth Brass Band. I'll update the thread later.

[thisistoto]

Try get any firmware updates from the drive manufactuar and update ur bios.

[thisistoto]

and at least ur pc is recognizing the drive, somewhat.

[TheMamba]

Originally Posted by reece

The device doesn't show up und "DVD/CD ROM drives." It does show up under "USB Controllers," as "USB Mass Storage Device" and it is flagged. I double clicked and I get a "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". It suggests that my BIOS or EFI may be outdated. I'm going to check the HP website to see if there is an newer version.

This is what you need to key in on and solve.

Did a quick Google search this morning and came up with the following links:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...t=windowsxpsp2

http://support.microsoft.com/default...t=windowsxpsp2

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1090209425 Sound Card but some ideas

http://www.devhardware.com/forums/st...10t-28266.html

http://forums.devshed.com/windows-he...0t-239542.html

http://tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1097801&page=1

So it seems like there are a couple of possibilities:

Drivers
External Drive case like BenQ was saying

Can you see if the drive will work inside your box? (i.e. no Enclosure)

[reece]

All right. Thanks for the help Mamba and Toto.

I can't update the BIOS because I can't download the update. "connection with server could not be established." Even if I could I don't think it would do any good. It is the same version that I already have. The only difference is my version has a date of 2001 while the update is from March '02. (Is my machine just too old?)


I can't install firmware for the device because it doesn't show up anywhere but the device manager.

So, feeling brave, I tried to put the Benq into my PC tower. I couldn't get the original drive out of the box. I think I could have if I would take the motherboard out but I'm not going to chance it. It did seem like it may be possible to take the front off of the tower, which would be perfect I think, but it was getting late and I gave up.

So I guess I could take it to Best Buy but I should be able to switch a damn drive, right?

[TheMamba]

To take the existing drive out...you'll need to get at it from the front of the case. Don't even think of fucking around with taking the motherboard out.

First, turn the computer off. There should be 2 cables going to the existing drive - a power chord (red, yellow, black wires) and the IDE cable (flat and wide). Unplug those.

To actually take the drive out...look really closely at the front of it. On each side of the drive there should be 2 metal tabs. These are kinda spring loaded. You need to push both of them in at the same time while pulling the drive out. (I'm trying to take a picture of them on my computer but I can't get it to come out very good...but I will keep trying).

Once you get the drive out...you'll see that these metal tabs are attached to the side of the drive with screws. Simply unscrew these to unattach them and then install them on the BenQ drive.

[TheMamba]

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading...d_recorder.htm

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6603_7-5118840-1.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6603_7-5118840-1.html

Now...these don't show the tabs I was talking about...so the tabs are going to be case specific, i.e. some have them and some don't. Looks easier if you don't have the tabs...just pull that bitch out once you have the cables unhooked.

[reece]

Originally Posted by TheMamba

To take the existing drive out...you'll need to get at it from the front of the case. Don't even think of fucking around with taking the motherboard out.

Thanks for the confirmation. I thought it would break the first time but this time I used a little more force and it popped right off. I switched the drives and everything works fine.

I put my dvd-rom into the external case and I've come full circle. The PC doesn't recognize it. Device manager gives me a "code 10."

It was he external case. A "Bytecc." I remember it was on sale for some ricockulously low price. It hasn't even been six months.


Thanks so much for your help.

[TheMamba]

Cool. Glad it all worked out!