optical drive not working in Windows 8 (1 Viewer)

[d.steeley]

Hi all, bought a new MESH computer as a present for a friend. Wanted W7 but could only get W8. Just unboxed it today to try and make it more user friendly for my friend who uses XP. Anyway, when trying to add some software from a CD it seemed to optical drive is not fully working so I've emailed Mesh but thought I'd put the symptoms up here as I know some members are very good IT specialists.

This sums up the problem so far:

I don’t think the Samsung Writemaster optical drive is working properly. I have tried the drive with CDs, DVDs and a Microsoft Office 2007 installation disc. The optical drive tray opens ok when the button is pressed and closes when gently pushed so has power. Momentarily the drive light flashes and the disk can be heard to spin but then the light goes out and nothing further happens.

Also, the optical drive does not show up in “My Computer” or “Device Manager” although the USBs, card reader and HDD do show. The PC is running Windows 8 64bit Home Edition. I know some W8 machines have had problems recognising optical drives and I have already tried Microsoft’s solution of changing the registry by entering:

“reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\atapi\Controller0" /f /v EnumDevice1 /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001“

Unfortunately to no avail.

i have also tried to update the optical drive's drivers but without success.

If anyone has any know cures for this problem your advice would be welcome (I've seen most of the ones on tinternet). I do not expect a very quick response from MESH.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Have it replaced or get your money back.

 

[GrahameNZ]

Hi Dave,
While I basically agree with what Andrew says.
I'd be willing to bet the sata cable that carries the data from the drive to the motherboard has come loose.
There's 2 cables 1 for power (the one withe the coloured wires) , 1 for data.
SATA cables are notorious for coming loose, they're a stupid design.
It's a simple matter to take the side panel of a puter usually a couple of screws at the back, then a lift and slide of the panel.
It'll be the left one as you look from the front.
Sometimes you have to take the lid off first.
But let me stress this, I'm not shouting here
REMOVING THIS COVER CAN VOID A WARRANTY on some machines, most definitely if it has a sticky label over over the cover to the back.
Your call here, it could be a simple 5 min fix or a round of emails.
If you decide on the former make sure you remove the cable and then replace it not just push it in, both the mobo and drive.
Make sure the power is off first !!
Don't tell MESH you have done it .....

 

[GrahameNZ]

Hi Dave,
While I basically agree with what Andrew says.
I'd be willing to bet the sata cable that carries the data from the drive to the motherboard has come loose.
There's 2 cables 1 for power (the one with the coloured wires) , 1 for data.
SATA cables are notorious for coming loose, they're a stupid design.
It's a simple matter to take the side panel of a puter usually a couple of screws at the back, then a lift and slide of the panel.
It'll be the left one as you look from the front.
Sometimes you have to take the lid off first.
But let me stress this, I'm not shouting here
REMOVING THIS COVER CAN VOID A WARRANTY on some machines, most definitely if it has a sticky label over the cover to the back.
Your call here, it could be a simple 5 min fix or a round of emails.
If you decide on the former make sure you remove the cable and then replace it not just push it in, both the mobo and drive.
Make sure the power is off first !!
Don't tell MESH you have done it .....

 

[GrahameNZ]

Well that was fun, went to fix a couple of typos and ended up with two replies.
Whatever .... there's too many birds to look at to try and figure that one out.
Enjoy

 

[d.steeley]

Thank you for your replies. I called customer services at MESH today and was surprised when someone answered my call almost immediately. Explained the problem and he suggested I remove side panel and have a look, he also confirmed this would not break their warranty (although there is a piece of tape across the join). Straight away I could see the data cable had become detached from the rear of the optical drive. On closer inspection, I could see that the connector from the rear of the OD had broken off and was still in the data cable connector. MESH gave me the option of a computer collect & return or to send me a new OD and data cable so I could fit it myself. I decided to fit it myself and it is due to be delivered on Monday. It looks like a straight forward job. So Andy, I agree with your comments and would not have stood for less. GrahameNZ, you were spot on with your diagnosis. What is peculiar is that when I was looking for inspiration from the internet, if I searched for "optical drive not recognised by Windows 8" there are loads of hits making it a common problem in W8 but for different reasons to mine.

Cheers all.

Dave