shapu wrote:
Yes, I figured they are, but internal cables can still come unplugged.
Find out who your manufacturer is for both the CD-Rom and the DVD player. Go to their website. Your model number for the parts should be listed in the device manager information. Update the drivers from the manufacturer's website.
If that does not work, the second step, really, is to go to your system restore. If you installed an update on the 23rd, and the drives stopped working, that's the logical step.
Go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. Follow the steps to restore your system to 12/22 or EARLIER. It's a large step, but should solve your problem if the drivers don't work.
Finally, one thing I'd do is check the cables (IDE and power) inside the casing. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, take it to a professional. If you do, follow the steps below.
1. Unplug all cables on the outside of the computer.
2. Take the box to a room without carpet and place it on a table, bench, or counter.
3. Using a screwdriver, remove the screws from the back of the case. Make sure this screwdriver is nonmagnetic.
4. Remove the case cover.
5. Touch the chassis (frame) of the computer.
6. Find your CD-Rom and DVD drives and make sure that the gray cable that plugs into the back of both remains connected to them and to the motherboard (big green thing). It should be an easy fit. If it's still in place, replace the cover, and put the computer back together.
It's probably a windows issue. My presumption is that the windows update included parts/all of windowsxp system pack 2, with which many programs, including drivers, have had problems. The new drivers should solve the problem, really, but I wanted to cover all of the bases.
OK. I've followed your advice and I've ran into 3 problems. I'll do them in reverse order.
3. The computer won't restore back to any date this month and there's no checkpoints before december.
2. The drives are still connected to the motherboard.
1. The websites didn't have any drivers for my disc drives.
I've decided to uninstall all the Windows XP Hotfixes. I'll do them tomorrow, as I wanted to double check if it was OK to do so.