Many thanks to Bob & BAR...yes, the jumper setup to C S solved the issue.
However, I have a related question about where does one learn (except through
encountering these problems and visiting newsgroups!) basics of computer
construction and settings such as this? I'm no expert but I'm also fairly
adept at electronics and a reasonably quick learner. Before today, I had no
idea about jumpers on the cd drive and still don't really understand why they
are there and what the options for the jumpers might entail or why one
setting is chosen over another. Any advice on where to learn this stuff?
(ie: Books or online resources perhaps)
Anyway, thanks again for advice to solve this.
mvdunn

"BAR" wrote:

Good advice Bob: if you are still unable to get the system to recognise this
BenQ device and it would amaze me that it should not just 'get up and go',
then take it back to the retailler and ask for a drive with usder manual and
software [including recorder application such as Nero].

One should not have to accept poor quality product [this includes the
provision of proper and complete installation instructions and some
application software that make the functionality of the device available to
you on a PC].

By the way, XP has a built in CD writer that shouldn't have any problems
writing data to any recognbised CD recorder, however it will not copy Music
CDs [part of the agreement from Microsoft not to encouage this practice, I
suppose].

"Bob Knowlden" wrote:

How about some inexpert help?

A manual is available for download:

http://www.benq.com/ss_download/manu...rw-english.exe

(It's an application that extracts an Adobe Acrobat manual into the folder
cdrw-english.) The manual shows the jumper location and settings. It's
simple to set, although you may have to remove the drive from the case to
get to the jumper easily.

You probably should set the jumper the same way as the old drive. (Dell
seems to like "cable select", for reasons that aren't clear to me. I use
master/slave on my homebuilt systems.)

Does the BIOS detect the drive?

Address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

"mvdunn" wrote in message
news
Help please!
I've just changed the original CD rw on my Dell of 2 years ago with a Benq
but the computer doesn't know it's there. Not listed in My Comp. but
drawer
of device opens/closes (ie: has power) My OS is XP. This is an internal
device with IDE pin connection. Reading the newsgroups indicates others
with
same or similar problems. Are there general instructions on how best to
replace/add devices without getting into trouble? I've read about setting
"jumpers" and indicating "slave" and "master" status of devices which is
Greek to me...where are such things accessed?
Expert help would be much appreciated.
mvdunn