30 replies to this topic

[Amarillojer]

This is my first post. I have tried to correct my problem by following tips I found but was not successful. The problem is when I right click my CD drives to get the properties page with a known good CD it reads (used space zero), (free space zero), (capacity zero). It shows a complete blue pie. I also notice when I insert a blank CD or DVD the message remains to insert a blank CD so windows does not recognise a blank CD. If I put in an audio CD both drives show it is an audio CD and it will play normally.
I have uninstalled both CD drivers and let the computer reassign the drivers, no help. I followed instructions to remove upper and lower filters, no help. One tip was to check ASPI drivers which I did. I found none so installed them per Adaptec instructions, ASPI drivers now show but did not help my problem. I think this problem may have started after SP3 install but not sure. I notice the CD properties page shows a recording tab and the hardware tab shows device is working normally. I checked my CD's in another HP desktop and they read normally on the CD properties page. I notice now that ASPI drivers do show it appears a couple of the drivers may be old. I doubt that is my issue but thought I'd better show it and get advice.

I hope I have described the problem properly. I sure could use some help.

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[Broni]

Are you saying, that you have two CD drives and they both experience same problem?

[Amarillojer]

Yes, that is correct. They both started doing this at the same time. I'm sure it was this way awhile before I noticed it so not sure what caused it.

[Broni]

Try this....

Go to Device Manager, click a "+" sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
You'll see two items:
- ATA Channel0 (or Primary Channel)
- ATA Channel1 (or Secondary Channel)
Right click on each of them, and click Uninstall. Confirm.
Restart Windows. They'll be automatically reinstalled.

[Amarillojer]

Broni, I followed your suggestion. See screen shots. I did not see a secondary channel. I uninstalled the Intel storage controller and the Primary IDE Channel and rebooted. It did not change my CD properties problem. The problem is still with me.

I am purely guessing but wonder if I have a registry problem?

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[Broni]

I'm not sure what to advice you, as I've never seen such strange behavior.
I've seen some weird issues however, when two optical drives are installed.

Go Start>Run ("Start Search" in Vista), type in:
sfc /scannow
Click OK (hold CTRL, and SHIFT, hit Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy (with Vista, most likely, you won't need it).

[Amarillojer]

I followed instructions. First message attached as scan1. Secons message I received is scan2.
I purchased my desktop from HP auctions and did not receive original CD's. I inserted a copy of Windows XP, a copy of Windows Xp Pack 2 and a copy of Dell re-install disc XP with SP3. I received a message each time that it was the wrong disc. I presume this indicates I have missing files?

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[Broni]

OK. So, "sfc" found some issues, since it asked you for a CD.
Now, what do you mean by "copy of Windows XP"?

From the second message, I take it, you have Windows XP Media Center Edition?

[Amarillojer]

I should not have used the word copy. The discs I tried were original Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pack Two Version 2002, and another origional with just Version 2002. The third disc I tried was an original Dell Reinstallation disc with SP3. I wonder if I can get the disc I need from Microsft or HP. You are correct it is the Media Center Edition.

[Broni]

Yeah, we have a problem then.
Troubleshooting-wise, Media Center Edition is the most horrible Windows version ever made.
Here is why...
To run "sfc", or Windows repair on any Windows version, you need matching CD, Home for Home, Pro for Pro, etc.
On a top of it, if your computer has SP2, for instance, installed, you need Windows CD with SP2 on it.
In case of Home and Pro, even if you have just straight Windows XP CD, there is no issue, because you can easy make new Windows CD with appropriate Service Pack by slipstreaming service pack into CD.
Now, for some reason, know only to Bill, in case of Media Center Edition (which technically is an offspring of XP Pro), you can't slipstream any service pack to make a new CD.
So, in your case, to run "sfc" successfully, you would have to have Windows XP Media Center Edition SP3 CD.
I doubt, you can find it anywhere.

At this point, I'm not sure what to tell you. Uninstall SP3? May be worth a try.

[Amarillojer]

Thanks for your help. I think I will try deleting SP3. I doubt I can get hurt too bad as I have this issue that won't go away. I feel a bit relieved that at least this wasn't some simple thing that I should have been able to figure out. That would have been nice but I think you know what I mean. I should have done more research on SP3 before installing it.

[Broni]

I think, it works little bit the other way.
Service packs are picky.
From my experience, I'd say, that, if there are some issues after installing service pack, it rather indicates, that it was something wrong initially with the computer.
In general, service packs should be installed on computers in top shape.
Some garbage here, some slight infection there, some system file messed up....you install service pack and the problem magnifies.

[Amarillojer]

Yes that is kind of what I meant. After installing SP3 I noticed a site that recommended a number of things to do before installing SP3. Unfortunately I just updated from the Microsoft Update site trusting that MS had their stuff together. I was ready to try reimage before reading your comments on Computerhope and reading the comments back from their marketing manager. That would probably have caused me even more problems. I will report back after deleting SP3 as maybe it will help someone else.

[Broni]

Sounds like a plan :)

[PeggyB]

Let me put my two cents in here. Mine is the same way and so is my daughter's. I think it just stays that until you use it. I've never checked it after burning a CD, but everything always comes out just fine.

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[Amarillojer]

Peggy,

I think you are looking at CD Properties without a disc in the drive. If you notice mine you will see it has an audio disc identified. I took the same disc to my other HP desktop and looked at CD properties. That one showed a number of bytes in used space, free space and how much capacity remained. I also looked at the same info on my laptop, it also gave the correct information. Put an audio disc in your drive and look again.

[Amarillojer]

Peggy,

I thought I would see if you find that your computer reads a blank CD like this screen shot. This is from my laptop.

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[Amarillojer]

This is not to beat a dead horse but thought I would show the CD properties of a blank disc that comes from my desktop. You can compare this screen shot with the one from my laptop and readily see the difference.

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[Broni]

The more I read on Google, the more it looks like some XP bug, when you have more than one optical drive installed.
I've seen other people reporting same issue.

[Amarillojer]

What stumps me is that both worked for the last two years or so without a problem. I did delete SP3 but it did not fix my problem. I ran the sfc scan you told me about after deleting SP3 abd it still wants me to install Windows XP CD2. My next hope is to get an original disc from HP or Microsoft. I doubt if I can do that but will try. Thank you so much for all the effort you have put forth. I think a clean install of windows XP is in my future.