Is my CD-ROM broken?

Factual Questions
1

My mother-in-law gave me her old cheap Dell PC and I put it in the basement as a second PC. I just received a PCI card for it today so I can have internet access for it. I got to the point in the instructions booklet that says:

The Auto-run program did not launch automatically, so I selected Run… and typed E:setup.exe and I got the message:

I also tried going to My Computer and the only drive listed there is C. I tried putting in a music CD and that also did not play automatically although the CD ROM did make noise.

2

Certainly your disk drive could be broken.

Altho your instructions specify “E” drive, on each of the half-dozen or so different Windows based PCs I have used, the disk (CD) drive was identified as the “D” drive.

It’s only a coincidence but it’s easy to remember: D drive = Disk drive.

Is there a floppy on this unit?

3

So what operating system and version?

You have to ensure the basics are working (operating system / hardware) before you can use the computer as it is.

Assuming a Windows machine of unknown vintage, try this.

4

I tried replacing the E with A through F when typing E:setup.exe in the run box and I got the same message. No floppy.

5

XP with Service pack 3.

6

If the drive is making noise then it has power so the power cable is ok. Have you checked to see if the data cable is installed?

edit: Also, does the CD-ROM show up in the BIOS?

7

Desktop -> Right Click “My Computer” -> Click “Manage” -> Click “Disk Management”

Does the device appear there? It will probably show up as “CD-ROM 0” or the like. Right click, select properties, and verify whether or not Windows thinks the device is working properly.

8

Just checked now and the cable was in tightly on both sides. I disconnected them anyway and put them back in and now everything works. Thanks. :slight_smile: