Can't use IDE/CD-ROM or USB2 CD Drives

I just acquired a used Dell Dimension 8200 computer running Win XP Professional with a 1.6 Mh processor. It has a Samsung SC-140 CD-ROM drive and a floppy drive. Everything works well except the CD-ROM. It shows up on the hardware/device screen, but the little yellow indicator says it's not working. The error message says it can't load the driver because it is either missing or corrupted (Error 39). I tried reloading the driver, but that didn't work. I also tried to find a new driver on Microsoft's and Samsung's web sites, but to no avail. I also unloaded all of the antivirus, spyware nuker, and firewall programs, thinking they might be interferring, but that didn't help. I also removed a 3rd party CD maker program that was installed, thinking it might be causing problems. That didn't help either.

I have a new external Cendyne USB2 CD-R drive, so I connected that to the USB port on the computer. It appeared to be working, and the driver loaded, but the hardware/device screen shows the exact same problem as the Samsung, with the same error message. Neither of these drives show up in the MY COMPUTER folder, although the hard drive and floppy do.

Being computer challenged, I don't know how to proceed from here. Any suggestions would be grealy appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dick

Welcome to VDr.!

I think there must be some corruption in the windows files. If you have your WindowsXP CDROM you should consider repairing or overinstalling. Do you know how to repair your windowsXP installation?

ProfessorU, thanks for your response and the welcome.

I don't have a XP disk, but I can probably locate one. And, sadly, I don't know how to repair files. If I do find an XP disk, how would I use it condisering that neither CD drive will work? I am willing to try anything, and I appreciate your advice.

Dick

Hi Dick, and Welcome to the forum.:)

Have you tried uninstalling the CD-Rom drive and rebooting? this will let windows pick up the drive and reinstall it. When you connect the USB drive, does it show up in your BIOS? if you can get either drive working you can follow this guide(s) to repair XP:

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

OR

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

whichever is easiest to follow for you.


Liam

As long as the hardware is functional, your CD-ROM drive will be active when the PC is booting. If you put the CD in the drive and then restart, you will get a prompt: Press Any Key to Boot From CD.....
Liam's two links can point you in the right direction from there.