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Old August 4th 12, 08:28 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Paul
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Default DVD burner vanished

Linea Recta wrote:
"Paul" schreef in bericht
...
Linea Recta wrote:
I have a strange problem with my DVD burner since yesterday.
When running Windows I can't open the tray anymore.
Also, the device seems vanished from Windows explorer and from
hardware configuration.

But when I boot into BIOS, it is still recognised and then I can also
open the tray normally.

What can I do?


Windows XP SP3
LG GSA-H44N


It helps to know what "interfering" software you've installed.
Tools which mount virtual CD images, can upset burner operation.
Don't know about tray buttons though.

http://forum.daemon-tools.cc/f19/dvd...nt-open-29555/

On Linux and Unix boxes, the tray button can be disabled,
to prevent media with "busy" files, from being removed
and causing the dependent software to crash. So as far as
the phenomenon of a button that doesn't work goes, this
is not unexpected. The button can be disabled by software
quite easily. It's not like the button is just tied to the
tray motor directly. If you boot a Linux LiveCD for example,
by default the button on the tray of the drive with that CD
in it, will be disabled.

Sometimes it can be a hardware failure, but your BIOS check
shows that's not the case.



I now write from my notebook.
The PC has been having bizarre behavior this evening, being clicking
sounds (I suppose one of the hard disks) and spontaneous rebooting. The
DVD burner itself must be OK, because I could boot up from a Macrium
Reflect boot DVD.

This is bad news, I suppose old fashioned IDE hard drives are not sold
anymore I suppose?

A glimpse at the concerning PC:



A good root cause, is +12V power supply rail out of spec. That
makes the clicking noise.

This can be caused by placing too many heavy loads on one Molex
chain. I had that happen when my ATI video card was powered by
the same Molex power cable chain, as several hard drives. The
hard drives started clicking. Once the video card was put on its
own chain, there was "peace in the valley".

But if the power supply is going out, then a slightly low (11V on 12V
rail) power output, can be enough to upset storage.

Think back to what wiring changes you've made recently. It could be
you reconfigured the wiring, while adding storage.

Also, if it is the power supply failing, twice now I've received
advanced warning. If you use fixed speed fans in the computer, you'll
notice the fixed speed fans start to "wander", and go up and
down in frequency slightly. The human ear is sensitive to the
tone of the fan. On my first power supply failure, I noticed
the fans started to wander, many days before the power supply
no longer had enough +12V to do anything. The last time
I tested that (failed) supply, it can't even put out 1 amp of
current on +12V, before the output voltage begins to drop. So
the output became very weak, and the current now, isn't even
enough to run one disk drive all by itself. If you sit the
supply on the bench, with no load, all the voltage read right.
But if you put even a tiny electrical load on it, it goes
out of spec. It's more suited to running a flashlight bulb
now, than 100-200 watts of computer gear. At least it didn't "blow"
and take stuff with it.

Paul
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