[Ham-Computers] RE: info on backing up files

[Hsu, Aaron]

Hmmm, must have missed the original message.  My <DEL> finger must be working too hard <g>.

John,

First question...what OS?  Win98/2K/XP(home, pro)?.  Also, is it just a DVD-ROM drive, or is it a "combo" drive (DVD-ROM and CD-R/RW)?

The most common issue with DVD or CD-ROM drives is an incorrect setting in the device manager (DMA mode), or, bad or conflicting IDE controller drivers.  Another common problem with any "R/RW" drive is the possibility the authoring software installed something that is incompatible with the OS (EasyCD Creator 5.0 and WinXP, for example).

The wrong DMA setting doesn't usually prevent the drive from working...just slows it down.  However, incorrect or conflicting drivers can prevent the drive from working.

Send the OS info and I'll send instructions on where to look for the settings.

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----

refmon wrote:

>Hi Group,
>
>I'm interested in this thread because it sounds similar to my issue with a
>Compaq Laptop.  I lost my DVD ROM due, apparantly, to a corrupt file
>associated with it.  The DVD checks as "operating properly" in MY COMPUTER,
>but won't read CD or DVD ROMS.  The usual uninstall/reinstall, etc stuff
>doesn't help.  First, Compaq doesn't respond, so 've gone to the service
>people where I bought the Laptop.
>
>I have no idea what is actually wrong at this point.
>
>I'm told I'll have to back up my entire drive and "restore" (a Compaq term,
>the system.  Not only does this sound rediculous for reasons of plain
>idiocy, but for reasons discussed in the thread on "backing up files".
>
>Anybody have a better or different idea?  This is a Compaq Presario, 1830.
>
>I've already learned to never buy one of these PC's with the "vendor
>improved" OS and customized this and that.
>
>thanks
>
>John Collins