Raymond Luxury Yacht on 17/2/2012 at 03:29
I probably shouldn't even bother about this, but it has me perplexed and I don't give up too easily.
My old system is a P4 running XP. I kept it up and running for awhile after I got the new system, since it had all my bookmarks for online, and a few games I wanted to finish. I turned it off a week or so ago, and decided to turn it on today, to install the driver for a wireless internet antenna, as I had decided to put it in the basement, for occasional game play when my son is down there playing. I couldn't get the disc to load, and when I tried to force setup my drive didn't show up. In Device Manager I get a yellow exclamation point with the message that the driver is corrupted or missing (Code 39). If I uninstall the drive, it shows up on restart with the same message. I tried Update Driver and was informed the best match is running. I looked up the model on Google, got the link to the Sony site (it's a Sony drive) and found a firmware download, which I assumed would replace the corrupt driver. When I clicked setup I was informed that it was only for model CRX320EE - which is what I have - and that there were no matching drives found. So how can my computer find the drive, but the firmware cannot? And how the flying fornication do I get a game or program to load when the drive can't/won't function?
I considered an external drive, but the system is going on 8 yrs old, so I wonder if it would even be worth it.
Renzatic on 17/2/2012 at 03:45
Quote Posted by Raymond Luxury Yacht
So how can my computer find the drive, but the firmware cannot?
Considering it's age and behavior, I'd say your CD-ROM drive has decided to shuffle itself off this mortal coil. Mourn as you see fit, and move on. All the poking, prodding, and pounding won't do anything to bring it back.
Quote:
I considered an external drive, but the system is going on 8 yrs old, so I wonder if it would even be worth it.
An Internal DVD drive will set you back about (
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=55&name=CD-DVD-Drives) $12 to $20 depending on which model you get. It's cheap enough that you can grab one and not feel guilty about the expenditure. Even if you rarely ever use your old computer, it's there for you if you need it.
Up to you, man.
Al_B on 17/2/2012 at 08:19
Quote Posted by Raymond Luxury Yacht
...found a firmware download, which I assumed would replace the corrupt driver.
It's quite possible that the firmware you found is actually to update the firmware within the drive itself - rather than it being a driver for Windows.
I agree with Renz, a new drive costs next to nothing - but I'd be tempted to check your motherboard drivers first. You might need to have a look inside the case to check your motherboard make and model, but it's possible that re-installing the IDE or southbridge drivers will help rectify the situation.
Ostriig on 17/2/2012 at 12:00
Um, this might sound stupid, but is there any chance that the data cable's at fault? I remember N'Al had some weird problems with his computer that made me suspect either the HDD or the motherboard but it turned out that getting a new SATA cable did the trick.
