Windows not reading my cd-rw drive

[cldothan]

Last night I decided I wanted to put some mp3's I have on a cd-r for the first time, although I have had the cd-rw drive and nero software installed awhile. After I tried it and it didn't work, the disk was still blank, I opened My Computer and noticed the only drives listed was A:/ (floppy drive) and C:/ (hard drive). Neither the cd-rom drive (D) or the cd-rw drive (E) was listed. After 2 hours of searching I came up with something to download from microsoft that helps with the conflict of the cd-rom drive on windows, now it shows up and is working as it should. But the cd-rw drive is not. What is wierd, is that the very first time I boot up my computer, after it being off all night, the cd-rw is listed in the my computer folder. But for some reason, every morning my computer freezes up the first time I boot up, I always need to restart it, and then the E drive never shows up. What does this mean and what can I do to fix it? Any help is appreciated. Thank you. Cheryl

[Daniel]

I'll do a search for you tomorrow, but for now, during hte POST (boot process) can you see your drive listed? Does it show up when the BIOS is searching for installed hardware? Also go the Device Manager and check if you see it there.

[Alan]

although I have had the cd-rw drive and nero software installed awhile. After I tried it and it didn't work, the disk was still blank, I opened My Computer and noticed the only drives listed was A:/ (floppy drive) and C:/ (hard drive).

Im sorry but I am a little confused. Are you saying that the CD-RW was installed but you never used it before?

Has your PC just started freezing up on boot-up?

Is there any error messages?

Have you ran a scan for Boot Sector Viruses?

At which point does it freeze, at login or at the blue screen?

I think the freeze-up issue has to be solved first, then we can attack the CD-RW issue (unless of course, the CD-RW is the cause of the freeze-up).

Is the CD-RW recognised in the BIOS and are the cables correctly installed?.

Are the jumpers on the back of the CD-RW and CD-R correctly set? (one to master and one to slave).

Lots of questions, but we need some background info so that we can help you.