Was burning a cd, and it errored saying it couldnt finalise.

Fine, I thought - I'll try again. But could not eject the CD. Tried to look at the drive through windows explorer, but that hung up my PC and crashed it.
I re-booted, and now the CD drive is not visable at all, and still wont open.

Any suggestions on how to get it back?:confused:

Cheers in advance.

try a system restore back to before the crash?

or
remove the drive if it is mentioned in device manager and reinstall

try a system restore back to before the crash?

or
remove the drive if it is mentioned in device manager and reinstall

Not sure when the last system restore point is (sloppy housekeeping on my part:( ) and dont think it shows up in device manager - will investigate though, cheers.
Any other options?

Not sure when the last system restore point is (sloppy housekeeping on my part:( ) and dont think it shows up in device manager - will investigate though, cheers.
Any other options?

Buy a new drive (unless this one is new)?

well its not new, but surely buying a new drive is not the answer? :o

I was hoping for a quick way to get it back working - but obviously there isnt one. Oh well, cheers anyway.

well its not new, but surely buying a new drive is not the answer? :o

I don't know:(.

What I do know, is that I bought a new CDRW which died after a year and half:(.



You could try what mtb said above?

Turn the PC off
Open PC
Disconnect the CDRW
Reboot
Turn the PC off
Reconnect the CDRW
Reboot

Windows "should" now start the Add New Hardware Wizard:).

If this happens, wait till it's complete, then Trun the PC off, refit any panels and Reboot.


If not try the CDRW in another PC (if you have one available) if the same happens (windows doesn't pick it up) then it's dead:(.

Not sure when the last system restore point is (sloppy housekeeping on my part:( ) and dont think it shows up in device manager - will investigate though, cheers.
Any other options?
You'll find System Restore in Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools.

If you want to open your CD drive, turn off the pc, and then look at the front of the drive, just below the drawer, and you'll see a small hole. Find something small enough to insert into the hole, and that will open the drawer.

Cheers Ann,

Opening the drive using a paper clip in the hole, then re-booting seemed to kick it back into life, working fine now.
:thumbsup:

hmmmmmmm
maybe we should rename this forum
the Computer & None Tech Chat ?

:P

It was an especially technical paper clip ;)