Posted by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 2:26am
Msg #126617

OT - Computer question

I have a six year old computer that's been in my closet for awhile. I have vowed it will become useable and it is right now because I dug around and found the old 15 gig HD I took out of it. Now I remember why it was in the closet.

I cannot get it to recognize either CD Rom on it. I have run set up and it's just not showing them. I removed the battery and let it go back to the original configuration just in case I did not know what I was doing with setup and still nothing.

If neither of the CD Roms are showing up do you think that's a motherboard problem? All connections are plugged in tightly.

Thank you!

Reply by Howie35CT on 6/18/06 5:01am
Msg #126618

Hey, Brenda. When hardware does not recognize the computer it's in, try going into your computer properties and de-installing them. Then, reboot your computer. Your computer "should" sense that they are there automatically, and give you a prompt to re-install the hardware that it has detected. WOW, six years old???! This computer is 3 years old, and is already showing signs that it needs a computer kervorkian (sp?). Good luck with that!

Reply by Harry [NR] on 6/18/06 5:07am
Msg #126620

Have you confirmed the master/slave/cable select settings on the drives are correct? A six-year-old computer will almost certainly have two enhanced IDE channels. On your motherboard, they will probably be labeled Primary and Secondary. If I understand correctly, you're saying you have TWO CD-ROM drives, plus the 15GB HD. Those drives would likely be configured in one of two ways:

Primary Channel: HD (master), CD1 (slave)
Secondary Channel: CD2 (master)

OR

Primary Channel: HD (master)
Secondary Channel: CD1 (master), CD2 (slave)

Basically, whenever a drive is on a channel alone, it should be master; a CD-ROM on the second ribbon cable connector of a given channel (where another drive exists) should be the slave. These settings are controlled by jumper pins on the back of the drives, the settings for which should be printed on the back or bottom. Often, jumping (shorting) the first two pins is the [MA]ster setting; the second two pins will be [SL]ave; and not jumpers will be [C]able [S]elect.

Note that most newer computers - especially those preconfigured by Dell, HP, etc. - are using the "cable select" jumper setting for non-SATA EIDE drives. Under that setting, the drive position on the cable (first or second connector) decides its master/slave status.

Outside of this, other obvious things to check: 1) That your ribbon cable is properly oriented (a notch usually makes this idiot-proof) - the red strip on the first conductor (wire) is USUALLY closest the power connector; and 2) That your 4-pin power connectors are plugged-in to the drives.

Harry
Notary Rotary, Inc.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 1:58pm
Msg #126671

Re: OT - Computer question - Probably the Answer Harry!!!

**Basically, whenever a drive is on a channel alone, it should be master; a CD-ROM on the second ribbon cable connector of a given channel (where another drive exists) should be the slave.**

I will look closely at this.

Reply by LynnNC on 6/18/06 7:21am
Msg #126628

You can buy a new computer for $300 . . .

and not fool around with it!

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 10:59am
Msg #126647

Re: You can buy a new computer for $300 . . .

Or even less than $200.00, but where's fun in that?

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 11:01am
Msg #126648

THANK YOU for the responses, I'll try these ideas. n/m

Reply by Raimond on 6/18/06 11:49am
Msg #126656

Re: THANK YOU for the responses, I'll try these ideas.

Can you say donation to charity?

I have one that is about the same age.... It was a major pain with Win 95 and ME and was close to be donated. It would blue screen at least once a day. I installed XP 3 months ago. Now it is a great system now for printing, accounting and word processing. Not much graphics abilities and USB 1.1 but as my back-up system it is a money maker!

Paw nailed it once again...... He is the man!

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 1:54pm
Msg #126670

Re: THANK YOU for the responses, I'll try these ideas.

**Can you say donation to charity?**

Yep...I picked up a brand new monitor and keyboard for it from the local charity store for $8. I gave them a $35 donation while I was there.

This would be a backup and grandbaby toy.

Reply by Raimond on 6/18/06 2:27pm
Msg #126676

Re: THANK YOU - Off Topic!

Good job Brenda.....

I just went through my closet and retired 15 dress shirts that have for some reason shrunk (or another possibility) in the collar to a point that they are no longer comfortable... Good thing JCP's had a good sale yesterday!

Off to charity they go....

Did you get the computer problem corrected?

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/18/06 2:48pm
Msg #126680

Re: THANK YOU - Off Topic! HARRY is the man!

I followed his suggestions and it's working like a champ. Had my cables all mangled up in there and did not realize that was the problem - the order of things. Now I know why it cut up and I put it up. I had two computers and was going to give this one to the neighbor (student). I took it all apart and put a larger hard drive in it but did not have it configured correctly...could not solve it and finally, put this one in the closet and took the other one to them. This one is practically unused, but it shall be now!!

I might have to come back with another question, but Harry's board has once again paid for itself and I have friends here now, also.

My son is a techie for the university but he is out of town at his dad's for FD...I try to ask my kids last for anything since I am single. Never want them to know that mom's not totally self-sufficient so they don't consider me in life choices (moving, etc.).

Dear friends, here's a big ol' hug for all the help!

Doing the happy dance.