My CD-ROM is not showing up in Win98se after re-installing the OS. I've checked all my connections and jumper setting. The CD-ROM shows up fine in the post screen along with 2 other HDs all in their proper place, but once in Win98se only the 2 HDs appear and no CD-ROM.

The CD-ROM even works for the Install of the OS, but close to the end of the install after the second re-boot the CD-ROM disappears and windows98se begins to ask for files it can't find.

If anyone can help me troubleshoot this or offer any possible solutions to correct this problem I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Test your RAM, you can find Memory Testers in the Utilities section under the Memory heading at <A HREF="http://www.bootdisk.com" target="_new">http://www.bootdisk.com</A>







Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.

try a different IDE cable, I had a similar problem with an intermittant HDD, it was a badly twisted DMA100 cable to blame...

no-one shouts louder than someone who is being ignored, or in the case of techies, to be heard over the noise of their PC's ;-)

So you're saying you had the same problem where the CD-ROM worked until you installed WIN98, then it didn't show up in Win98?

The CD-ROM works fine but is not showing up in WIN98. The post screen shows the CD-ROM as a Secondary master. But fails to appear in windows. I think it's a software problem, can't see it being the cable.

What about the memory test at start-up? Shouldn't that be an indication of bad memory? If the memory was abd why would it just pick out the CD-ROM?

I'll test it out, but I don't see the connection to the CD-ROM.

It is possible for RAM to pass the initial DOS test and fail in the Windows environment, thats why I suggested you test the RAM to remove it from the list of possible suspect problems, you said, "windows98se begins to ask for files it can't find.". Something is causing you to loose these files, unfortunately for you it could be numerous things hardware, or software related, but if its software related you should be getting some exact error messages to pin the problem down. At least test the RAM and make sure its not the problem. RAM testing software fully tests the RAM stressfully to see if it will fail or leak memory which would explain a loss of Win98SE files. Solving computer problems is a process of elimination, starting with the most obvious, and eliminating possibilities until you find the problem. Theres a lot of good people here that will go out of their way to help you get your problems solved, but if you ignore their suggestions, they'll ignore your problems. So why don't you try what I already suggested to you and post back the results, and lets go from there. Ryan


PS If you get any error messages at all write down exactly what they are.






Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.

OK, point well made. I'll test the RAM and let you know what happens. Thanks.

BTW, when WIN98se was looking for the files, it was after the first re-boot during the installation of Win98se. At that point the CD-ROM became unaccessable through WIN98se. Win98se was trying to load drivers for the various peripherals, they were on the install CD, but since the CD-ROM was no longer accessable no files could be loaded.

Thanks for the help so far. I'll get back to you ASAP on the RAM testing.

Actually I had a program once that cancelled my protected mode CDROM drivers I can't remember exactly what program it was but I do remember how I solved the problem. This is a longshot and I'm not saying it will solve your problem but it is not going to hurt you either, so just for the heck of it try this.

Make sure the CMOS is set to boot from the floppy drive, with the computer shut down insert the floppy bootdisk in the floppy drive, start up the computer don't do a thing until it gets to the flashing DOS prompt (A:\> ) then punch the power button and shut the thing down, remove the bootdisk and start it up normally, and see what happens. It may restore your CD ROM drivers. Ryan






Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.