Comp doesn't recognize CD-rom anymore

[CaptJackSparrow]

Compaq Presario 5202/win98.

Tried to open the cd player and box came up saying that there is no cd-rom.

I rebooted the computer and now there is no cd player listed.

I didn't not delete any files.

I ran virus scan everywhere and there are no viruses on the computer.

If the cd writer is busted, is there anyway to check on it? There are no yellow exclamation marks in device manager.

I put in a music cd and I don't hear the usual grind up sound.

I just had the computer open to put in a new ethernet card as it got fried from a lightning strike on our house. The CDrom was working fine after the storm.

I don't want to quick restore the computer as I have many files on that I want to save. That would be my last option.

Any other suggestions or options?

Thanks in advance. capt:pirate:

[renegade600]

recheck the cables inside of the computer. You may have knocked something loose when installing the new nic.

[Pancake]

In the Device Manager,uninstall the cd-rom and then reboot and Windows should find it.

[CaptJackSparrow]

I shut down the computer for the night.

I turned it on and windows found an unknown device.

I am guessing that it is the cd rom since it is not listed under devices.

There is a yellow exclamation mark next to it with code 28.

I don't want to do anything unless I have some guidance. Sure could use some right now.

(Windows98 was pre-installed with the computer so I have no 98 disc)

[Miz]

I agree with renegade. It sure sounds like a loose IDE cable or power plug. Easy enough to check. Shut the computer down, open the case and reseat the IDE and power plugs going to the CD drive. Also reseat the other end of the CD drive's IDE cable that goes to the motherboard.

[xpnewbie58]

Do you happen to have Roxio CD Creator software on that computer? If so, go to their website and download the latest available update before you start messing with the hardware. I had a similar problem a while back after I installed Roxio CD Creator 5 and I found a Microsoft release about the issue of the disappearing CD drive that directed me to update my Roxio software, which fixed everything. I wish I could remember more about it so I share it with you here, but chances are you don't have the Roxio CD Creator anyway.

[tetonbob]

Code 28 indicated the device/drivers did not install properly. First try to reinstall the drivers. Then, you might try to uninstall the device and then reinstall it and then update drivers for the device from your HD's driver files, or from the manufacturer's website.

I'd then check the inside of the box....anytime you've had the box open recently and then trouble arises, it's almost a no brainer that something came loose or was not reseated completely.

One last thought...lightning plays all kinds of mean tricks on a PC. I recently spent several hours over several days trying to figure out why a Win98 box wouldn't connect to the internet anymore after lightning zapped our house...lost 2 surge supressors, 1 cordless phone, 1 satellite receiver as well. The PC's hardware tested out fine in other systems. I ended up removing/reinstalling the TCP/IP stack. Zone Alarm's settings got skewed, too, and prevented a proper installation of the protocols.

Live and Learn.

Bob