BenQ DVD-ROM drive not recognised by WIN98SE

[Bazdi]

I have replaced my CD-ROM Atapi drive with a BenQ DVD-ROM Atapi drive. I removed the old drive and fitted my new drive using the same slave position on the IDE 2 controller cable.

The new drive is recognised by my BIOS and works properly (plays CD's and DVD's) under WIN98SE. The problem is that under Device Manager in Control Panel, the drive is shown correctly, but under "Other Devices" and not under "CDROM". This makes it impossible to change the settings for the drive as I can't access the settings for it.

Fixes I have tried so far, are:
Changed the position on my IDE controller cables (changing the master/slave as necessary)
Updated my ASPI drivers

Any ideas?

[TripleRLtd]

I have replaced my CD-ROM Atapi drive with a BenQ DVD-ROM Atapi drive. I removed the old drive and fitted my new drive using the same slave position on the IDE 2 controller cable.

The new drive is recognised by my BIOS and works properly (plays CD's and DVD's) under WIN98SE. The problem is that under Device Manager in Control Panel, the drive is shown correctly, but under "Other Devices" and not under "CDROM". This makes it impossible to change the settings for the drive as I can't access the settings for it.

Fixes I have tried so far, are:
Changed the position on my IDE controller cables (changing the master/slave as necessary)
Updated my ASPI drivers

Any ideas?

Hey Baz,
Welcome to Windrivers.
First, remove the listing under device mananger for the dvd and then, update the motherboard drivers: either Via 4in1 or Intel Intel Application Accelerator/Intel Inf update, whatever is applicable.
If you give us system specs it would help more.
After installing the drivers, reboot and check again.
Let us know.

[Bazdi]

Thanks for your welcome!
I have a Gigabyte GA-8IDML series motherboard with the Intel 845 AGPset (Award BIOS). I have a P4 1.6G processor, 256MB Ram, am running WIN98SE.
I tried to download the latest drivers for the motherboard but the latest is what I have already got. The Award BIOS I could not update as I couldn't find any on the net (even using the @BIOS Live Update Driver from Gigabyte). Anyway, I'll keep looking. Thanks for your help.

Hey Baz,
Welcome to Windrivers.
First, remove the listing under device mananger for the dvd and then, update the motherboard drivers: either Via 4in1 or Intel Intel Application Accelerator/Intel Inf update, whatever is applicable.
If you give us system specs it would help more.
After installing the drivers, reboot and check again.
Let us know.

[confus-ed]

Try starting in safe mode, & delete any instances of your new drive (& any 'hanging about' of your old drive)- see if that does it.

I'd also try setting it either as master on a channel on its own or as slave to your hard drive & see if that make any difference, repeating the delete in safe mode business for each .... but this is a new one on me, especially as it appears to work, the only thing being no property pages for it as its mis-classified ... mmm !

Can you try it elsewhere & see if it does the same ? - most weird !!!

[NooNoo]

On top of confus-ed's suggestions I would also check the ide cable by replacing it with a known good one. Doesn't take much to put windows in a flat spin over hardware

[TripleRLtd]

..... but this is a new one on me, especially as it appears to work, the only thing being no property pages for it as its mis-classified ... mmm !

Can you try it elsewhere & see if it does the same ? - most weird !!!

Yes it is "most weird". I have never seen anything like that either.
BTW, unless you meant IDE controller, he would not have to start in safe mode, right?
On a side note, my supplier has begun carrying BenQ and I haven't bought any yet: concerned about quality.
Any of you work with these Benq's?

[NooNoo]

Benq was formerly Acer.

I have an Acer lappie - so far so good - I know others have had a hell of a time with things like cdrws though.

[TripleRLtd]

Benq was formerly Acer.

I have an Acer lappie - so far so good - I know others have had a hell of a time with things like cdrws though.

Thanks for the info.
Looks like I have made the right choice:
Ya_Know would be proud of me.
So:BenQ=Acer=AOpen?

[confus-ed]

..BTW, unless you meant IDE controller, he would not have to start in safe mode, right?..

Err no I meant do it in safe mode (remove the cd entry) ... safe mode properties of my computer is effectively the hardware list that 'proper' windoze uses as a 'base' for itself, quite often stuff gets 'stuck' in here affecting future installs - first point of call of hardware 'weirdness' is safe mode & judicious deletion

Oh my own BTW - BenQ = POS - not point of sale, but pile of shi ....


... none of the Benq units I've seen (all writers), seem to run at their rated speeds & they are very picky with media, so unless you want just straight data disks at less than rated speeds, I'd stay clear .... looks like 'ROMs' are subject to their own 'annomolies' too ...

[Shard92]

I haven't worked with many Benq's myself but the ones I have definately fit confus-ed's description of Benq= POS

[Bazdi]

Thanks to all for replying to my problem wilth this drive.
I tried everything that was suggested but the problem still existed. I even updated my motherboard drivers but still could not fix it.
I eventually returned the new DVD-ROM to the place of purchase and bought a LiteOn DVD-ROM instead. Wouldn't you know it, it also has the same problem.
Anyway, I'll just have to put up with it! Thanks to all once again for your helpful suggestions!

[NooNoo]

ok, now that just aint right....
You said it was on the secondary ide - as master or slave?

What happens if you change it from one to the other

Also, you could try it as a slave on your primary ide.

[Bazdi]

It was originally a slave on the secondary IDE.

I've tried it as the master as well as by itself on the secondary IDE.
Have also tried the same on the primary IDE. Still no luck!

ok, now that just aint right....
You said it was on the secondary ide - as master or slave?

What happens if you change it from one to the other

Also, you could try it as a slave on your primary ide.

[NooNoo]

What type of ide cable are you using? A 40 or an 80?

[confus-ed]

What type of ide cable are you using? A 40 or an 80?

If the cable is 'good' for the hard disk, then most likely its good full stop ... however some ATAPI units don't like 80 sense cables, 40 sense is 'most likely' to be fully compatiable.

Since we've tried two units now & got the same symptoms, it would appear to be either windows weirdness (just what I can't think ... as I said earlier this is a 'new one on me') or perhaps the IDE controller is either faulty or the motherboard bios isn't 'doing its stuff' & identifying ATAPI devices ... we said earlier try a motherboard bios flash ... did we ever find one? - If not, that looks the 'best' plan of attack from here.