HELP!-cant play a cd-rom for mp3

[jimmydingle]

this thing worked 2 weeks ago, any advice?
i get nothing when i load the cd and doesnt show when i hit my computer

 

[Data]

Give more details what computer is that and what you get and what you do not get out of the CD-ROM drive.

 

[jimmydingle]

Give more details what computer is that and what you get and what you do not get out of the CD-ROM drive.

ive got a dell inspiron 5150 and im trying to load the software for an mp3
the cd-rom is not being identified-nor are cds or dvds-two weeks ago all was good in the hood and i ripped a lot of cds
normally when you put in the disk it goes right to wha they want you to do, with this i get nothing and then go to my computer and only the c drive is shown (no cd drive)-im current on windows downloads so wondering if maybe i slammed the cd tray too hard or something (it loads from the left side)
thanks

 

[jimmydingle]

its xp

 

[Data]

1. Right-click "My Computer" icon and select Manage. Click on "Device Manager". See if any device is listed with a yellow exclamation point. See if the CD-ROM drive is listed.

If it is NOT listed:
2. Restart and hit F2. See if the CD-ROM drive is listed there.

If it is listed in step 2:
Insert Windows CD, hit F12 while starting up and then chose to start up from CD.

Let me know the findings. My initial assessment is that the CD-ROM is dead but there is some hope that this is some software issue.

 

[jimmydingle]

1. Right-click "My Computer" icon and select Manage. Click on "Device Manager". See if any device is listed with a yellow exclamation point. See if the CD-ROM drive is listed.

If it is NOT listed:
2. Restart and hit F2. See if the CD-ROM drive is listed there.

If it is listed in step 2:
Insert Windows CD, hit F12 while starting up and then chose to start up from CD.

Let me know the findings. My initial assessment is that the CD-ROM is dead but there is some hope that this is some software issue.

thanks data-under device manager there was a yellow ! under cd-rom
i will follw step 2 tonight-that means inserting the windows xp cd that i used to load windows initially? Hold F12 while it starts up?

 

[jimmydingle]

ok i pressed f2 during start up and cd rom was listed on that weird screen
the drive is QSI cdrw/dvd sbw242u and is under device manager with yellow !

 

[Data]

Try this. Go back to "Device Manager", right-click on the CD-ROM drive and select Uninstall. Then, select "Scan for hardware changes" from Action menu on the top. There is a chance, albeit a small one, that Windows will reinstall it and it will come back again. In that case it will reappear without exclamation point next to it. If you get an entry with an exclamation point then you need a new drive.

 

[jimmydingle]

Try this. Go back to "Device Manager", right-click on the CD-ROM drive and select Uninstall. Then, select "Scan for hardware changes" from Action menu on the top. There is a chance, albeit a small one, that Windows will reinstall it and it will come back again. In that case it will reappear without exclamation point next to it. If you get an entry with an exclamation point then you need a new drive.

how do you do that?

 

[Data]

how do you do that?

How do I do what?

 

[jimmydingle]

sorry, how do i get a new drive?
is this a bring it into the shop type thing, contact dell or microsoft, buy one and install it, etc.-i have no idea
the laptop is 3-4 yrs old, is this the start of other problems? except for overheating it has been solid-thanks for your help

 

[Data]

You could try finding a used drive online, eBay or whatever Google hits. I personally never need a CD-ROM drive while I am on the road, so I would just buy an external USB drive to use at home, these are fairly cheap.

 

[jimmydingle]

do you have a recommendation?

 

[Data]

I would get one of these.

good and cheap:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106053

good, small, inexpensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106093

 

[jimmydingle]

I would get one of these.

good and cheap:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106053

good, small, inexpensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106093

thanks
either of these will play cds and dvds?
burning is fine with these also?

 

[Data]

yes and yes