Anyone here able to help me with my CPU?

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Hey all.

So I ran into a problem with my computer the other day. I had picked up some blank CD's to burn some music but when I tried to access my CD drive, windows said "access denied".

After a little research it appears that it could be a problem with Windows 7. I don't have ownership of my CD drive anymore. Even as the administrator, I get the access denied message, or my CPU freezes up. I read about a dospromt command (takeown f and tried to do what the writeup said but it didn't work.

I may just format and re install Windows but I'd rather not have to. I figured that the folks here are a varied group and maybe someone could offer some assistance.

Thanks in advance

 

[The_Roadie]

Is a failure of the drive not a possibility?

Since new DVD/CD writers are only $20 for an internal and $30 for an external, USB powered one, I wouldn't obsess over troubleshooting this. Just slap in a new one.

Burning CDs for music? How quaint.

 

[skamphax0r]

I had the same issue a few months back - new drive and i was back in business.

funny thing was linux worked fine to access it, but burning wouldnt work. windows just said f-it and wouldn't do a thing with it..

 

[Sparky]

Could try going into device manager and removing it from there, then reboot for it to redetect and reinstall. Might help :shrug:

 

[Sir ffeJ]

Have you tried to retake ownership of the drive?

Right click the drive and select properties
Click the security tab. Click advance, then click the owner tab.
Click edit and change the ownership back to you.

 

[KNBlazer]

Is it a desktop? I would switch ports... open up case and connect it to a different SATA or IDE port....

 

[kickass audio]

Something else you can try if it is a hardware issue, try to put a bootable disc in the drive and boot up to it through the BIOS. if it boots then the hardware may be alright and it is just a software glitch. Have you tried running a system restore at all if you have any to pick from?

Within the security settings for the drive add one called "everyone" and set it to full access. If that does not fix it go into start and right click on computer and go to manage. Click on the left menu of "device manager" and expand the category of "dvd/cd-rom drives" Right click on the drive you see and select uninstall. Reboot your computer and it should reinstall automatically and try to see if it works then.

 

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Thanks for all the replies peeps! I'm gonna try uninstalling it, I tried to take ownership through windows but it doesn't show me the securities tab for the drive like it does for the hard-drive. Thats why I tried to take ownership through the command prompt as administrator, but it didn't work either. Also, I've already restored to the earliest point available. If the uninstall/re-install doesn't work, i'll try the bootable disk.

I've done some googlizing and many others have had the same problem with windows 7, maybe a little glitch somewhere. I don't think its a hardware problem 'cuz the computer is fairly new and the drive has hardly been used, although crappy workmanship is always a possibility. If it comes down to it and the machine will boot from the bootable disk, then I guess I'll try a fresh windows install.

My computer is a desktop but it doesn't have a tower, everything is behind the monitor. It's touch screen so it seems like a big tablet lol. I don't know if changing ports or even installing a new unit is something I can do.

I'll post up anything if I can figure it out. Thanks again guys.

 

[Sparky]

Any part can be replaced Just a matter of getting to it.

I would suspect software issues more than hardware though. Probably something stupid and simple but in some weird place.

 

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Ok, so I tried the uninstall (which was successful) but the computer didn't re-install the CD drive after a re-start. Now the CD drive doesn't even show in the device manager. I tried search for new hardware but it found nothing. I was gonna then try the bootable disk but the drive doesn't even open now when I push the button. So I restarted the computer to check for drive activity on start-up but got none at all. I think usually the drive powers up and the lights on the drive flash on start up, but nothing happens on the drive now at all. I guess the drive itself is probably pooched?

Theres really nothing on the cpu of any value so I'm still gonna do the factory reset of windows to see if that does anything, although I doubt it will.

 

[mcsteven]

I know that $20 or $30 isn't cheap for a lot of folks right now. You said the computer is pretty new. Any chance you still have manufacturer tech-support?

 

[KNBlazer]

Try going into BIOS and see if there is perhaps power control through the motherboard... I haven't kept up with technology, so nowadays with all these "ENVIRONMENTAL" people, there might be a power setting in there...

 

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

unfortunately no warranty or anything. its not the money of getting a new one, its no biggie but if I could have made it work then thats money in my pocket.

as I said, my computer is like a big tablet and the CD drive is not regular, its very thin and the door matches up with the curvature of the edge of the monitor. it's probably not gonna be as easy as just getting a random drive to go in there. probably have to order one from the "stealership" lol.

i will poke around the BIOS and see if anything stands out. the funny thing is that i burned some mp3's not too long ago without any problems and my GF likes to buy actual albums (cd's) so she's always playing cd's on the computer.

 

[Sparky]

If it doesn't show in the BIOS, check the connections. If it still doesn't you can probably find a replacement drive on ebay. I'll bet any regular slim optical drive would fit too. The faceplate may be interchangeable. Or at worst it wouldn't match the curve of the original but it would work.

If it does show in the BIOS but not Windows, try uninstalling the ATA channel(s) that aren't for your hard drive and do a reboot, so it redetects the SATA channels entirely.

 

[mcsteven]

I know that the aesthetic is often nicer if you find a replacement drive, but as you've already noted about the OEM, it will probably be a lot more money. A USB drive, whether powered by USB or plugged into the AC, is likely to run you $20 or so.

If you can get into the bios (usually an F1, F10, or F12 key during start up), make sure that the optical drive is listed under fixed drives. If not there is usually a way for the bios to find it. But if Windows is not finding it, the bios will likely act the same.

 

[Mooseman]

X2 on an external USB drive if all else fails. There are some slim ones that just run off the USB port and don't take up much space. There are other older types that require a power supply and are bulky. Basically a desktop drive in a case. If that defective drive ever shows up again later in device manager and is still dead, just disable it so it doesn't take up any resources.