If your BIOS is finding the device then it is a software error. If it does
not appear in the BIOS:
1) If you are using a seperate IDE cable (i.e. the drive is connected as
secondary master by its own cable, and is not sharing a cable), you could
try a new cable. If it sharing a cable, still try a new cable. Its second
node may be damaged.
2) If the above does not work, remove every drive except your primary master
containing your operating system and connect the drive as the primary slave
on the same cable. Make sure you use the jumper connector to connect the
correct jumper pins so that the drive is hard-configured as a slave.
3) Try updating your BIOS.
If the drive appears in your BIOS drive listing:
1) It is highly unlikely, but your atapi driver may have become corrupt.
Check the internet for one with your make and model of CD drive.
2) Try using system restore to restore to a time when your device worked,
assuming it once worked.
3) If your device once did work and you have tried all of the above, as a
last resort try reinstalling windows. Be sure to backup your personal files,
but DO NOT backup any program directories. Install them fresh.
JM
