Both CD and DVD not working properly

[lynchknot]

I'm becoming very disappointed in this PC - now both cd and dvd are not working - well it's intermittant - not working the norm. Sometimes it will say insert disk, when there is already one in there or I will open to a blank file. Anyone else experience this?

[Big Booger]

Have you updated the driver since I last did netmeeting with you?

Try to find the exact driver from the hardware maker. The one's XP use are generic and might be responsible for your issues.

[lynchknot]

Memorex is discontinued but I did use the latest drivers at the site I found off google only a week ago. Do drivers just "expire" suddenly if they are old? I don't understand. :(

[Big Booger]

drivers never expire if they are old.

Updated drivers are released to fix problems, add compatibility, or improve performance.

Make sure your jumper settings are set correctly, check your cables, try removing one drive from the system and see if there is a problem. Then switch the one you removed and check.

Check for firmware updates if possible, but BE VERY CAREFUL WITH FIRMWARE updates as you can render the drives useless.

try cleaning the drives? Many electronic goods stores sell optical drive cleaning kits. That may help.


You may also have to reinstall XP.. don't feel bad, I had to last night :P

ANd that was nearly 100 Gigs of crap hehehe

[lynchknot]

Well, it's working now - hehe - Hey BB, i'm trying to install Ghost from CD th is is what I see - and I click and I see a cmd.exe for a second then nothing happens. What do you think?

http://www.techstarcomputers.net/~sighost/sigs/ghost.png

[Big Booger]

Is that the full version of Norton Ghost? Is it the trial? I think that file you have is too small to be the full installer.

Honestly, from what I can tell, that looks like some sort of batch file :D

http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/technology/download/CloningNTGatesPCs.pdf

There is a decent guide on installation and cloning of a drive in NT.. the principle works the same for XP.

Another great guide:
http://www.harddriveupgrade.com/hard_drive_upgrade_2.shtml

[egghead]

thats the dos version of ghost

you create a boot disk and run this progam to clone drives etc...

[Big Booger]

If that is the case, as egghead suggests, you should put a floppy in the drive, make sure it is formatted, let the application run.
Once finished,
then you need to leave the floppy in the drive, and restart. Make sure your BIOS supports floppies somewhere in the boot order, preferably as the first boot device.

[lynchknot]

*sigh/ isn't there a click 2 times and you're done version?

[egghead]

sorry to complicate

this is the dos ghost program. it will not create a boot floppy.

all you do is format a floppy in windows xp and select make bootable

restart your computer with the floppy in the drive and boot to it

when you get the c:\ promp
put the ghost disk in
type ghost

select what you need to do.

[phishhead]

I would recommend drive image by powerquest. Its the idiot proof imaging utility. But unfortunately lynch its about 4 clicks and a reboot then your done.:p this is what I use and works great, saved my ass on more than one occasion. Also before you image your drive you should get your system completely stable and do a check disk and defrag.

[FastGame]

Originally posted by phishhead
I would recommend drive image by powerquest. Its the idiot proof imaging utility. But unfortunately lynch its about 4 clicks and a reboot then your done.:p this is what I use and works great, saved my ass on more than one occasion. Also before you image your drive you should get your system completely stable and do a check disk and defrag.
Yep I use Drive Image but the learning curve is two extra clicks.....lol

[lynchknot]

yep, sounds like this is what this idiot needs - lol I'll go get it.

[FastGame]

You will like it , you can do everthing in windows and it has a Nero type wizard...soon you will be a 4 click man...hehe

[lynchknot]

Well, that clicks with me.....................:D