[RESOLVED] CD-ROM doesn't work in Win95

[gilbco]

We have a Dell Latitude w/Samsung CD drive which no longer works in Windows. Diagnostics says it's OK, and in DOS it will read CDs. But in Win95, trying to access it in Explorer results in the message that the disk in the drive is not formatted, etc., and fails to read the disk. The drive has a valid drive letter, device manager says it's OK, but it will not read in Windows. Only in DOS. I'm stumped. I suspect someone probably installed something that corrupted the windows cd driver, but I have no idea how to correct that. Any suggestions?

[AlienDyne]

The first thing I would do, is to check the IDE driver. Download and install the latest drivers for the chipset of the motherboard you have. Also, check the DMA option of the unit which has the problem.

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[gilbco]

Thanks for the suggestion - makes sense, but I haven't been able to find ide drivers for this chipset (mobile 440BX PCI). I've gotten the impression it's supposed to be supplied by Windows itself, so I'm starting to suspect I'll just have to reinstall. I tried enabling DMA for the drive, and it caused Windows to freeze in bootup. Is that any kind of a clue?

[Sowulo]

That chipset is made by Intel. To get the most current IDE drivers (as well as updated support for other chipset features) download and install the Intel Inf Updater here (http://developer.intel.com/design/software/drivers/platform/inf.htm).

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Note to self: Re-index brain cells, database corruption present.

[gilbco]

Thanks, I checked that but the Intel Inf Updater here says that it is for desktops only and must not be used on a portable. I also looked at Intel's site, but couldn't find anything for this particular chipset there. And at the Dell site, what they have listed as an IDE driver is actually DOS drivers for a different CD-ROM. A big puzzle.