This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
1
16942
May 3rd, 2015 19:00
Windows 7 doesn't recognize the optical drive.
My Optiplex 3010 refuses to recognize the R/WDVD drive. It used to, but now doesn't. It doesn't show up on Windows Explorer's list of connected disk devices, and on Device Manager, it has a yellow "!" beside it, showing that there is some kind of conflict.
Te Dell technician changed out every piece of hardware in the system, but there is no change.
He recommends reloading the OS, but I'm not sure that's possible when the optical drive, on which my backup exists, doesn't work.?
I tried system restore, but there are only as few recent mark-places, and this problem has been going on for longer than that.
So, is there any way to restore the OS to health short of starting all over again?
rdrapeau
3 Posts
0
May 6th, 2015 06:00
I tried your suggestion to see if the drive is recognized by the BIOS, and it is. So, as you say, it's a Windows problem (no surprise there).
The thing I was most worried about is needing to reload the OS from my backup restore DVD disk using an inoperative disk drive. But, you pointed out that if BIOS recognizes the drive, then the disk should be readable.
I just have to steel myself to dedicate a day or so to reload all my applications programs to deal with yet another failure of a Microsoft OS. Grrr! :- (
DELL-Todd S
3 Apprentice
•
1.8K Posts
0
May 6th, 2015 09:00
Hi,
Did you check out Osprey's guide? Specifically the sections under Section 3 "If it's not hardware"?
Check that section out, try the Fix It utility and the other suggestions there. Reinstalling your OS is the very last option. Lots of things on that guide to try before going that far.
Todd
DELL-Todd S
3 Apprentice
•
1.8K Posts
0
May 5th, 2015 15:00
Hi,
The first question to ask is does your system BIOS see the optical drive? To get into the System Setup (i.e., BIOS) shut your computer down and let it sit for a few seconds, then power it back up. I don't recommend restarting but shutting it all the way down. When you see the Dell splash screen start up start tapping the button.
Here is a link to the User Manual for the Opti 3010. See page 33 for info on how to get into the System Setup. Since the System Setup is the very basic information that your system "sees", without Windows up and running, it will tell you whether the system itself recognizes the optical drive. Depending on your system setup you may find information about the hardware on the computer under "System Information".
(NOTE: If the system setup does recognize the drive that means, assuming you have a Windows reinstallation CD, that you can boot of that CD to reinstall Windows. It will wipe all data off your system, but that is probably what the tech meant to explain to you. It's listed under the Boot Menu section of System Setup).
If your system sees the optical drive in System Setup (BIOS) then it's a Windows issue. If it doesn't, then you may want to move onto some other steps. If so, then I highly recommend checking out Osprey's Guide to Optical Guides. There are some good troubleshooting information contained in it.
One last thing, not sure if you have the full desktop size system or one of the mini-tower versions of the Opti 3010. You can find manuals and troubleshooting information for your specific computer by going to the Dell Support Pages and inputting your service tag.
Let us know what you find out and if needed we'll see what else we can suggest to you to help resolve the issue.
Todd
rdrapeau
3 Posts
0
May 6th, 2015 12:00
Todd:
Thanks again. I will follow that path and see where it leads. I agree that a restoration is a last resort. But then again, I've done it so many times, I'm a kind of expert at it. I;ll let you know what Osprey suggests.