usb dvd-rw not detected - Computer Support & PC Help Forums

Goodfella · 11-05-2008, 12:15 PM

I bought one of these:

DealExtreme: $16.44 USB SATA/IDE Cable Set

to run one of these on my laptop:

Play.com (UK) : NEC Optiarc AD 7173A DVD-RW 18x/18x/12x Internal IDE Bare Drive with LabelFlash Technology / Beige : Computing - Free Delivery

but it isn't detected in 'my computer' and i've tried all the different jumper settings.

There is enough power to the DVD-RW drive, as i can open and close the tray.

Can anyone help?

**Dalo Harkin** · 11-05-2008, 12:33 PM

I cannot see the top link, but I guess its just a USB one end and an IDE and MOLEX on the other end.

It should work, did the cable come with a disk? some of these cables do as they are not a common piece of kit.
DVD/CD drives are plug and play so should be picked up by the OS - see if the device is shown in device manager in the control panel and tell us if there are any yellow exclamation marks next to anything.

**Tootech** · 11-05-2008, 12:36 PM

Hi Goodfella,

Welcome to FreePCHelp.

Can you post a little bit more info about your PC - make, model, XP or Vista - thanks.

If you plug in just the cable to a USB port, no drive attached, can you see it in Device Manger - I've just tried mine and it shows up as a USB Mass Storage Device.

Also, just as a point of reference, I tried mine with different jumper settings on the drive and it will only work when set as Master.

**Wolfeymole** · 11-05-2008, 03:18 PM

That's a full on internal optical drive Goodfella.

You need something like this mate.

Amazon.co.uk: LG GSA-E50L Slimline Ext 8x DVDRW LightScribe: Electronics & Photo

Goodfella · 11-05-2008, 03:24 PM

Hi,

It's a 3yr old medion laptop running XP Pro. Will get model number later.

When i plugged it in last night, the only thing to show-up was a USB Mass Storage Device in device manager, but no DVD drive even though i can open/close the tray.

The instructions say jumper must be set to Master which i've tried and also the driver installation cd is not required for XP or Vista.

**Wolfeymole** · 11-05-2008, 03:38 PM

Goodfella

You can't simply run an internal drive via a USB connector, it will not provide enough power.

You need something similar to what what in my link mate.

Goodfella · 11-05-2008, 04:19 PM

The USB device has a mains power supply, hence possibly why i can open/close the tray.

If the top link in my OP isn't working, go to DealExtreme: Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Site-Wide Free Shipping (Page 1) and type 474 in the search box and you'll see the device i'm talking about.

**Dalo Harkin** · 11-05-2008, 04:28 PM

If it has mains power then it should work as I said before - did you check the device manager?

**Wolfeymole** · 11-05-2008, 04:29 PM

I can see the top link perfectly well.

We are saying what you need.

Goodfella · 11-05-2008, 06:08 PM

Dalo Harkin,

Yes, checked 'device manager' and no yellow exclamation marks.

The device is showing in 'Disk Drives' as 'USB to IDE/SATA Device'.

**Tootech** · 11-05-2008, 08:18 PM

Have you been able to check the drive on another machine, with an IDE cable?

That would rule out any drive faults.

Goodfella · 11-05-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tootech

Have you been able to check the drive on another machine, with an IDE cable?

That would rule out any drive faults.

Not able to tonight, but could try tomorrow. Thanks.