Major computer problem, urgent help needed!!

[HellCat]

Went to use the DVD-ROM on my laptop today to make some screencaps for a review. The disc whurs a few times but nada. Tried several different discs and got the same result. Looked at My Computer and found...the drive isn't shown there anymore. Nor is it in any Open... menus. This is a HUGE problem for me as I need the DVD-ROM drive so I can transfer files to DVD before taking my laptop in for repairs this week. Does anyone know how this could have happened and more importantly how to fix it?

[dendawg]

If the files are that important to you, why don't you take out the HD before you take your laptop in for repairs? Most competent repair shops don't absolutely have to have them.:shrug:

[HellCat]

If the files are that important to you, why don't you take out the HD before you take your laptop in for repairs? Most competent repair shops don't absolutely have to have them.:shrug:

I have no idea how to do that, nor do I wish too. It's simply easier for me to transfer the files onto DVDs (which I've already purchased) hence why I need to know how to resolve this problem. Besides, the nature of the repair agreement relies on me handing in the full laptop as purchased.

[Scorpio_G]

Did you restart you computer? Maybe it just needs a restart. What is the brandname of your laptop? If you check it out online it may have a website that has a troubleshooting page.

Speaking of laptops my brother is going thru problems now. He has a HP and the first time the HD totaly clunked out and now the power cable isnt working (according to the HP website). It makes me not to buy one if your going to have that many problems with it.

[Dr. OneWay]

It's probably a simple error with the DVD-ROM player. Check a troubleshooting site, or call up the customer service line. Also, you may need to just get the lens cleaned. You can buy a CD at basically any electronic store that cleans CD-ROM lenses.

[HellCat]

It's probably a simple error with the DVD-ROM player. Check a troubleshooting site, or call up the customer service line. Also, you may need to just get the lens cleaned. You can buy a CD at basically any electronic store that cleans CD-ROM lenses.
Given the fact the drive itself isn't even showing up anymore in My Computer or any drop down menus, I think it's a bit more than just a dirty lense...

[Sampo]

Went to use the DVD-ROM on my laptop today to make some screencaps for a review. The disc whurs a few times but nada. Tried several different discs and got the same result. Looked at My Computer and found...the drive isn't shown there anymore. Nor is it in any Open... menus. This is a HUGE problem for me as I need the DVD-ROM drive so I can transfer files to DVD before taking my laptop in for repairs this week. Does anyone know how this could have happened and more importantly how to fix it?

You can try the following if you really need to back up you data. First find a store that allows you to return open merchandise. Second, buy an external DVD burner for your laptop, take it home, burn whatever you need, then... return it. :sweat: You will get your money back (hopefully with no re-stocking fee) and you'll have your data backed up. Also you can let the tech working on your laptop know that there is a problem with the DVD drive as well. If this sounds wrong, eh up to you.

I am not sure what's up with your laptop since I never owned one. But for my PC, I had two DVD/CD drives that acted strangely and had problems reading disks. So I ended up buying a new one and tossing them out.

[Aquadementia]

So, it doesn't recognize regular music CD's or anything?

My first thought is always that it's a cable problem. But since this is a laptop and I'm guessing it has a fixed DVD drive, then you won't want to monkey with that.

You could go into the device manager and look to see if it's listed there. If something looks funky, you may want to remove it and then reinstall.
Maybe reboot, maybe twice.

You were bringing this in for repair before this happened?
What was wrong with it?



As far as backing up your info, can you network it with another computer?
You could save your files there or if it's a friends computer, use it to burn a dvd.



You can try the following if you really need to back up you data. First find a store that allows you to return open merchandise. Second, buy an external DVD burner for your laptop, take it home, burn whatever you need, then... return it. :sweat:
Just a good ol' boy,
Never meanin' no harm,
Beats all you never saw,
Been in trouble with the law since the day he was born.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Aquadementia/smile/drip.gifAD

[HellCat]

So, it doesn't recognize regular music CD's or anything?

My first thought is always that it's a cable problem. But since this is a laptop and I'm guessing it has a fixed DVD drive, then you won't want to monkey with that.

You could go into the device manager and look to see if it's listed there. If something looks funky, you may want to remove it and then reinstall.
Maybe reboot, maybe twice.

You were bringing this in for repair before this happened?
What was wrong with it?



As far as backing up your info, can you network it with another computer?
You could save your files there or if it's a friends computer, use it to burn a dvd.

My mum bought it for me last summer since I was starting university (she pays so much each month). Around Christmas the fan started playing up, being rather noisy. We'd already taken out this extra cover programme with the store where we pay for that as well each month and so are entitled to unlimited to repairs or a replacement if the thing can't be repaired. So once I was home for Christmas I phoned them as instructed and got told I was wasting mine and their time and to just take it in to the store I bought it from and have the vents sprayed. Did that and as expected it changed nothing. I needed it for various projects so it wasn't until now I could let it be taken away.
On top of that, the left mouse button was partly eaten through whilst cleaning it a few months back. There should be a thread about that deeper in the forum. It didn't really remove use of the button but it's not nice to touch.
For those reasons I was taking it in to be at least looked at today (my day off from work) and was going to take some screencaps I needed before transferring the files over and that's when the whole mess started.

[Mynd Hed]

It wouldn't hurt to try downloading new drivers from the DVD drive manufacturer's web site, but considering that Windows isn't recognizing it at all, it seems like something other than drivers is probably at fault. It's something to try, though.

As far as backing your files up goes, I'd say your best bet (short of something drastic like buying an external DVD burner or hard drive) would be to find an understanding friend who wouldn't mind lending you some hard drive space, networking your laptop to his desktop, and backing your most important files onto his hard drive. Assuming both computers have network cards, all you need is a twisted-pair Ethernet cable, which you should be able to find at Radio Shack or Computer Renaissance or most other decent electronics stores for around five bucks.


You can try the following if you really need to back up you data. First find a store that allows you to return open merchandise. Second, buy an external DVD burner for your laptop, take it home, burn whatever you need, then... return it. You will get your money back (hopefully with no re-stocking fee) and you'll have your data backed up. Also you can let the tech working on your laptop know that there is a problem with the DVD drive as well. If this sounds wrong, eh up to you.

Moral issues aside, it's getting harder and harder to find stores with such liberal return policies.

[HellCat]

To be honest, I have no clue what make of DVD-ROM drive it is.

[Sampo]

It wouldn't hurt to try downloading new drivers from the DVD drive manufacturer's web site, but considering that Windows isn't recognizing it at all, it seems like something other than drivers is probably at fault. It's something to try, though.
...


It's strange though. The drive appears to get power "The disc whurs a few times but nada" but it's presence is not being reported by windows. I agree with Aquadementia, it sounds like a cable connection problem. But since Hellcat has a laptop. :sweat: I wouldn't recommend opening it up unless he knows what he is doing (and if that happened to me. I wouldn't, since I would have no clue). Also opening it up might void the warranty.

Hellcat, you can try and reboot to get into your bios screen. On some systems, if you hammer on the 'del' key while the computer is booting up it will allow you to get into that screen. From there you should be able to see if it is listed there along with your hard drive. At least you can get a model number/name of the DVD drive if it shows up there.




...
Moral issues aside, it's getting harder and harder to find stores with such liberal return policies.

I see your point. It's strange that the CompUSA here in Hawaii is excluded from the normal "restocking fee" that other CompUSAs on the main land charge when returning most merchandise. It's pretty useful, when used properly, as I encountered some problems when buying stuff from them. One example is a TV Tuner card I bought. The previous cheap one didn't work, so I returned it. A couple months later I bought the more expensive one... It worked perfectly. *shrug* I guess my computer only likes expensive stuff.



...
Just a good ol' boy,
Never meanin' no harm,
Beats all you never saw,
Been in trouble with the law since the day he was born.


*insert Sherif Rosco's trademark snicker*

It was a suggestion. If Hellcat really can't find any other course of action to take and he does have a deadline looming, he could try that route. Is it immoral, yup. Does it get the job done? Yup. :sweat:

[HellCat]

Someone else suggested using System Restore to put the system back to an earlier point when the drive definetly worked...any thoughts on if that's a good idea?

[Sampo]

Someone else suggested using System Restore to put the system back to an earlier point when the drive definetly worked...any thoughts on if that's a good idea?

I really should use system restore on my own computer and see how it works. I swear I read somewhere that leaving it off helps increase system performance...

Anyway, some info about system restore:

You can give it a shot, there appears a way to "undo" a system restore based on this article if you change your mind. Again if I actually used that feature, I could give you first had knowledge verse copy & pasting info... I hope this helps with your decision using that restore option.

System Restore on Windows XP Link. (http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm) by Bobbie Harder





...
Running System Restore

If you can boot Windows:

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Click the Restore My Computer to an earlier time, next.

If you cannot boot Windows:

Boot into safe mode. Click the System Restore link. Click the Restore My Computer to an earlier time, next.

Note: Current documents, files and e-mail are not affected during a restoration.

Undoing a Restoration

Reversing Restoration if you can boot your computer:

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Click "Undo my last restoration", next. Click Ok to the
screen message after the reboot.

Reversing Restoration if you cannot boot your computer:

Boot into safe mode, follow the help screen and choose, "Undo my last restoration".

Note: If you have chosen the wrong restore date, follow the steps under, "Undoing a Restoration".


Later.

[Mynd Hed]

It's strange though. The drive appears to get power "The disc whurs a few times but nada" but it's presence is not being reported by windows. I agree with Aquadementia, it sounds like a cable connection problem. But since Hellcat has a laptop. :sweat: I wouldn't recommend opening it up unless he knows what he is doing (and if that happened to me. I wouldn't, since I would have no clue). Also opening it up might void the warranty.

Yeah, if it were a desktop I'd feel comfortable advising him to try unplugging the connector and plugging it back in, but on a laptop... someone more technically-minded might know their way around something like that, but I'd have no clue.


Someone else suggested using System Restore to put the system back to an earlier point when the drive definetly worked...any thoughts on if that's a good idea?

You know, personally, I've never used System Restore without suffering some catastrophic system-frying problem or another, but enough other people have had it save their butts with little or no trouble that I'm beginning to wonder if that's just me. Personally, though, I disabled it on my system and never looked back; it's a great idea in theory, but it's caused me more trouble than it's worth, and I lived just fine without it for years before it was more than a glimmer in Bill Gates' eye.

[HellCat]

Went back as far as I could with System Restore...didn't fix it :(

[Dr. OneWay]

Well, since it appears that it is no longer a small issue, I would just toss it and buy a new one. If Windows doesn't recognize the drive at all, then try checking to make sure the driver is the most updated that it can get. That's about all I know to do.

[HellCat]

Not to appear rude to people who are trying to help, but 2 key points:

1) I have essentially no money. If you're suggesting I buy so and so device or an upgrade it's not possible for me

2) I just need the drive working so I can get these files moved and hopefully take that last banch of caps for a TZ review. If I'm taking it in to be repaired anyway, there's no point me running around adding anything to it now.

[Aquadementia]

I think this is something the repair guy can fix in about two minutes, or the drive is dead and you need a new one.

If you want to keep trying to fix it yourself, this here is the link to the drivers you need (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=434657&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=434656&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=228), If that's your computer. (why is it I can never see links underlined on this board?)
Though if you remove the drivers in the Device Manager, Windows usually does a good job of finding the correct ones itself.
You might want to check that the settings are right too. Make sure it's using DMA, not PIO. I'm not too sure if the DMA setting is the problem, but I think windows had a way of screwing with that setting.

As far as your data goes, if you can't get things working, or don't get any help from someone with an external dvd or local area network, I don't know if there is anything you can do.

XP home edition doesn't have encryption, does it?
Maybe someone else can help you with file setting, but if you have stuff you don't necessarily want people looking at, one quick solution is save it in a password protected zip file. Give it a long password of at least 10 characters.


*insert Sherif Rosco's trademark snicker*

It was a suggestion. If Hellcat really can't find any other course of action to take and he does have a deadline looming, he could try that route. Is it immoral, yup. Does it get the job done? Yup. :sweat:
You are in need of "The Ribbing." *Starfire*

I know if I tried that, I would think of a reason for not returning it the next day, then 91 days later I'd see it there and wonder why I ever got that.

[Dr. OneWay]

Not to appear rude to people who are trying to help, but 2 key points:

1) I have essentially no money. If you're suggesting I buy so and so device or an upgrade it's not possible for me

2) I just need the drive working so I can get these files moved and hopefully take that last banch of caps for a TZ review. If I'm taking it in to be repaired anyway, there's no point me running around adding anything to it now.

Well, if you have no money, then there's no chance in getting a new drive, if that's the case. The driver's would be free on the companies website. Other than that, I guess you will just have to find another way to get your files on a DVD. If your that short on money, you could email them to yourself, and then download them on a friend's computer, then burn them on a DVD using their computer. Just a suggestion.

[Sampo]

...
As far as your data goes, if you can't get things working, or don't get any help from someone with an external dvd or local area network, I don't know if there is anything you can do.
...


Ug same here.

I agree with Aquadementia and Mynd Hed. Best bet would be to find a friend with a router/hub so he can hook your laptop to his/her network and backup files.



...
XP home edition doesn't have encryption, does it?
...


Nope :(



...
Maybe someone else can help you with file setting, but if you have stuff you don't necessarily want people looking at, one quick solution is save it in a password protected zip file. Give it a long password of at least 10 characters.
...


Hmm. Hellcat. If you expalin the situation with the store, they might be able to help you recover those files somehow.



...
You are in need of "The Ribbing." *Starfire*
...


Huh? *looks up word* AH! I'm not angry or anything, it's just that it's a course of action that one would take which could be considered underhanded and immoral which I would do... Heh. :sweat:

[Mynd Hed]

Hmm. Hellcat. If you expalin the situation with the store, they might be able to help you recover those files somehow.

True enough-- back in the day when I was ignorant about computers I had Computer Renaissance do a fairly minor (by my standards today, when I'm at least a little more knowledgable and would easily do the same repair myself) for me, and they offered a file backup service. Charged me an arm and a leg for it, but it sounds like you've got a more comprehensive warranty than I had....


If your that short on money, you could email them to yourself, and then download them on a friend's computer, then burn them on a DVD using their computer.

Presumably the files in question are pretty big or the issue wouldn't be quite so urgent....

[Aquadementia]

I think this is something the repair guy can fix in about two minutes, or the drive is dead and you need a new one.

If you want to keep trying to fix it yourself, this here is the link to the drivers you need (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=434657&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=434656&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=228), If that's your computer..
I should have looked closer at that. It gives a firmware update, and that may not be what you need.
Otherwise, like Sampo said, if the BIOS can see it, it should give you the model number. If it can't see it, then it really isn't connected or has gone bad, and fooling with the OS settings won't help.
Otherwise, they do have a "Help and Support Center" downloading that could help




Huh? *looks up word* AH! I'm not angry or anything, it's just that it's a course of action that one would take which could be considered underhanded and immoral which I would do... Heh. :sweat:
Definition 3, not 1, or 2. (http://www.answers.com/ribbing&r=67)
I wouldn't say anything too "nautical."

[Dr. OneWay]

Presumably the files in question are pretty big or the issue wouldn't be quite so urgent....

Ah, true.

[Captain Highwind]

Went to use the DVD-ROM on my laptop today to make some screencaps for a review. The disc whurs a few times but nada. Tried several different discs and got the same result. Looked at My Computer and found...the drive isn't shown there anymore. Nor is it in any Open... menus. This is a HUGE problem for me as I need the DVD-ROM drive so I can transfer files to DVD before taking my laptop in for repairs this week. Does anyone know how this could have happened and more importantly how to fix it?

Sounds like a similar situation I had with my laptop, except I had an interchangable CD rom drive. I agree with Aquadementia and Sampo, check your BIOS to see if the Drive is listed. It's been a good year since I had the problem, but the problem was the OS was ate up with a virus.

[HellCat]

I've been told BIOS is the boot information shown when the computer starts. If so, I don't get that. My laptop goes Compaq>Windows XP>Asks for my password.

On the files- yep, some pretty big files. Some I was only able to download because I had broadband in my uni accomodation whilst here I'm on dial-up.

[Sampo]

I've been told BIOS is the boot information shown when the computer starts. If so, I don't get that. My laptop goes Compaq>Windows XP>Asks for my password.
...

Hmm...

On the Compaq splash screen it should say "hit a certain key (might be F1) to enter setup" somewhere before the screen switches to the Windows XP loading screen.

I hope that helps.

[Aquadementia]

Actually, to enter the BIOS, or as Compaq is want to call it, the "setup utility :)" you may have to press f10 on this computer. :(

[Kaoru]

I have a similar problem where my E: drive (USB) doesn't show in My Computer and doen't react if I put it in.

[Artimus Gigan]

Did you try reconnecting the DVD ROM itself?

that happened to me onetime where it wouldn't read the discs, one of the connection plugs came undone

[vegetasyjn5]

this may help.

Go to start->Control Panel->system->hardware->Device Manager>dvd/cd-rom drives.

Whatever shows up in there highlight it, right-click and chose uninstall.

Restart windows, in should reinstall the driver and the drive should work.

[HellCat]

Funny this was brought back up today. My computer was taken in 2 weeks ago and I got a call today. Details:

DVD/CD Drive- Now works, at the cost of taking the system back to day one, so I'll have to re-add things like internet connections (I wonder it it also scrapped it's 'ALICE Mk III' name. Cookie if you get the reference!). Had to pay £30 to have my files (all saved in one 12 GB WinRAR file) transferred back and forth.

Fan- They've sprayed it with air and have had it on constantly to test overheating. I'm not quite sure if this will have corrected it, since having the vents sprayed was done back last Christmas and didn't change a thing. I'm prepared to be let down.

Mouse button- Won't touch, it's apparently classed as 'cosmetic damage' only as the mouse button still works :shrug: I'm gonna see if maybe HP themselves will do anything.

[HellCat]

Picked up my laptop on PC World on Saturday. Finally had today to check it over:

Mouse button- Won't touch, claim it's only a cosmetic fault. Despite this, they've made it worse by seemingly picking at it.
Fan- Seems ok, apparently they just sprayed it with air.
The drive- I was told, after having to drop off the recovery discs, that this was fixed. Guy even claimed he'd burned some discs to test it. I just looked and...it's still not in MyComputer or drop down menus. It still isn't recognising movie DVDs, blank DVDs or laser lense cleaner disc....

Weeble and Bob got it right. Pissy World indeed...

[kirschy]

I've had a similar problem before with an HP laptop. In my experience, system restore is unlikely to help. What's likely happened is that the DVD-rom drive has gone bad. (Remember laptop components are much, much smaller and more fragile than their desktop counterparts. And as such they tend to break/wear out more quickly.) The best solution is, assuming its still under warranty, to take it back to the store/ship it to the manufacturer and have them replace the DVD-rom drive. Now that I think about it, even if its not under warranty that's likely what you'll have to do.

The catch is that they'll wipe the hard drive and re-image it as part of their standard operating procedure. So you'll want to move your data off the laptop. Assuming you have access to another computer and a LAN (or even a another computer and a broadband connection) you can do this fairly easily. Personally the easiest method of moving the data (short of using a burner) I've found is to use the built in file transfer client in most IM clients. You log on your laptop with one nick. Log on the other computer you're moving the data to with another and simply send the files to the destination PC (where you can store them or burn them.

Hope this helps.

[Captain Highwind]

In my experience, system restore is unlikely to help.

Now that I think about it, does system restore ever work?

[kirschy]

Now that I think about it, does system restore ever work?
System restore works with problems that have been caused by the installation of a program/changing of a setting. Basically all it does is return the computer to a previous configuration. Which makes it a nice alternative to reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system for businesses and home users. So for example if you install a game or a media player that changes your system settings it can help. However for something like a virus it can actually re-infect your system since a virus can hide in the system restore files and you probably wouldn't know exactly when the computer was infected. And its useless for hardware failures (since system restore only works on software).

Not sure if that answers the question you asked exactly, but...:D

[solarflere]

Now that I think about it, does system restore ever work?Saved my but on plenty of occasions. I make a restore point before doing any major software driver update. That way I can roll back anything that didn't go right. I also have a utility that backs up my registry, and it monitors it constantly. If an unwanted registry key was added, I can delete it, if a registry key was deleted by some program, I can instantly restore it.