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6.825 bytes |
Service Hints & Tips |
Document ID: DEDN-3FPQ49 |
TP General - Unable to access CD-ROM drive in Windows 95
Applicable to: World-Wide
Symptom:
The internal CD-ROM is not seen by Windows 95, and in some of the cases the Windows 95 Device Manager reports that the IDE controller on the ThinkPad has a problem and is running the C: drive in MS-DOS compatibility mode.
Configuration:
Any ThinkPad using an internal CD-ROM drive running Windows 95
Solution:
There can be several things that would cause this problem. If the CD-ROM drive is not being seen by Device Manager and it says that the C: drive is in MS-DOS compatibility mode, then there is a high probability that there is a virus on the HD. In one specific example a boot sector virus was found and IBM Antivirus replaced the boot sector code, and solved the problem.
This may not be the solution in all situations, but this problem has been encountered on numerous occasions. Note: IBMAV did not identify the virus by name, but stated that there was suspicious code in the boot sector. Run IBMAV or other current virus checker to ensure that the system is virus free before continuing PD.
The next thing to check is to see if any of the 16 bit real mode drivers are installed in the config.sys or the autoexec.bat files. If they are, this could cause Device Manager not to see the CD-ROM drive. Remark out the lines in the config.sys and the autoexec.bat files and then restart the computer into Windows 95 and see if that resolves the problem.
If the problem still persists then the next thing to do is make sure the CD-ROM drive is not defective. To do this, boot the computer into EZSetup by holding down the F1 key during bootup. Once there, select the TEST icon and the CD-ROM icon. If it comes back OK then the computer is at least recognising that there is a CD-ROM drive installed. The TP 365C/CD/E/ED does not have EZSetup so you will not be able to perform the above test.
Next try installing the 16 bit real mode drivers for the CD-ROM drive to see if that resolves the problem. Follow the directions in the user's guide on how to install the CD-ROM drivers for DOS. After installing the drivers boot back into Windows 95 and you should be able to access the CD-ROM drive. If so, then remove the real mode drivers from your config.sys and autoexec.bat files and restart Windows 95. This should allow the 32 bit CD-ROM drivers to detect the drive and install the support for it.
You can also force a re-enumeration of the IDE channel by removing the controller(s) under the "Hard Disk Controllers" section in device manager. Upon rebooting, Windows should redetect the IDE devices (including the CD-ROM).
If the computer is a 755CD or 760CD/LD, make sure that the secondary IDE controller is enabled through ThinkPad Features.
The next thing to try is to run ScanDisk on the hard drive to see if it finds any corrupted files. If it does, let ScanDisk fix the errors and then it may be necessary to reinstall Windows 95 so it can reinstall uncorrupted drivers. Please note that if you let ScanDisk fix any errors it finds, it may cause problems with your other applications (depending on what files are actually corrupted). If you proceed with this last suggestion, make sure you make a backup of your hard drive.
One last thing to try is to "initialise" the computer. To do this hold down the F1 computer while powering on the computer. From the EZSetup screen select CONFIG and the INITIALIZE. Please note that this will reset ALL of your system bios settings. This means that if you made changes to your power management settings, or modified system resources to get an installed device working, you will need to re do those changes. Make a note of your resource settings through Device Manager before proceeding.
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Search Keywords |
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Hint Category |
CD-ROM Drives, Windows 95 | |
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Date Created |
31-03-97 | |
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Last Updated |
06-04-99 | |
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Revision Date |
06-04-2000 | |
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Brand |
IBM ThinkPad | |
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Product Family |
ThinkPad 310, ThinkPad 315, ThinkPad 365X/XD, ThinkPad 365CD/CSD, ThinkPad 365E/ED, ThinkPad 380D, ThinkPad 380ED, ThinkPad 380XD, ThinkPad 380Z, ThinkPad 385D, ThinkPad 385ED, ThinkPad 385XD, ThinkPad 390, ThinkPad 390E, ThinkPad 600, ThinkPad 600E, ThinkPad 755CD, ThinkPad 755CDV, ThinkPad 760CD, ThinkPad 760L/LD, ThinkPad 760ED, ThinkPad 760XD, ThinkPad 760EL/ELD, ThinkPad 765D, ThinkPad 770, ThinkPad 770E/ED, ThinkPad 770X, ThinkPad 770Z, ThinkPad i Series 172x | |
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Machine Type |
2600, 2625, 2635, 2636, 2626, 2645, 2646, 9545, 9546, 9547, 9548, 9549, 9544, 2627 | |
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Model |
Various | |
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TypeModel |
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