Many users are faced with the problem of purchasing new drives, be it external hard drives or optical drives. It would seem that I connected them and that was the end of it. But for some reason the system categorically refuses to recognize them automatically. What to do? Here knowledge of how to enable any type of disk drive in the BIOS will come to the rescue. In most cases this is the most relevant solution.
BIOS does not see the drive: what should you do initially?
Although it is customary to write about the problems of why this or that proposed solution does not work at the end of the topic, it is better to immediately see what problems may appear initially.
As many experts believe, the very problem that the newly connected drive is not displayed in the devices section is that it is not supplied with power or there is simply not enough voltage. Therefore, you should check these parameters initially.
Rules for connecting any drives
On the other hand, the problem may also be that the drive is not connected correctly. As a rule, most computer systems have a Master/Slave connection rule.
In this case, the cable connector, designated Master, is connected to the main hard drive, and the Slave is connected to any other. In the same way, you cannot connect the Master to the Slave connector and vice versa. At best, you can only achieve that the drive will be detected, but loading the operating system will become impossible.
How to enable optical drive in BIOS
So, first, let's look at optical drives. The simplest solution to the question of how to enable a disk drive in the BIOS is to go into the BIOS using a standard key or key combination (usually Del, F2, F12, Esc, their combinations or dedicated keys on laptop panels) and find there relevant section.
Depending on the BIOS version and manufacturer, this may be the main page (Main), the standard settings section (Standard CMOS Setup), the additional settings menu (Advanced or Advanced BIOS Features), etc. Here you should make sure that the drive is in the list, call up the menu by pressing the Enter key on it, and then set the value to Enabled.
If for some reason the user does not find his drive in the list, it is worth turning to the boot section (Boot Sequence, Boot Setup or simply Boot), where in the boot devices you can scroll through the available devices (for example, use the primary boot device 1-st Boot Device) . This is usually done using the PageUp and PageDown keys. If the device is detected, then everything is in order and the user simply did not find it.
How to turn on an external hard drive?
Now let's see how to open the drive in the BIOS settings in the form of a connected external hard drive. There are subtleties here - it all depends on what standard it has.
So, to begin with, as usual, we enter the settings of the primary I/O system, after which we look for the tab corresponding to the drive parameters. Now you need to be very careful. Depending on the type of drive, you should find the lines either SATA, IDE, or USB. As a rule, if the connection is made correctly, at least one of them will display this device, even if you do not know its standard. Next, we look at what is opposite the drive. If the Disabled parameter is set there, go to the additional menu and change it to Enabled.
Do not forget that without saving the changes the drive will not work. We use the appropriate BIOS commands. In the standard version, in order not to rummage through sections of the main menu, just press the F10 key, which corresponds to the Save & Exit Setup command, that is, save and exit the settings. After this, a confirmation window will appear with the choice of using the keys (Y - yes, N - no). Press Y and wait for the system to reboot.
Priority start of system boot
How to open the drive in BIOS is already clear. Let's look at one more important point. Let's say you need to change the boot order and install an optical drive or external hard drive as the first device. This approach can be used when installing a system, troubleshooting problems, or simply to boot the OS from an external HDD.
As is already clear, we go to the boot section and install the required drive (disk drive) as the first boot device, and then save the changes.
Instead of a total
As can be seen from all of the above, the problem of how to enable any type of disk drive in the BIOS can be solved quite simply. However, this technique may sometimes require additional steps. So, for example, in some cases you need to check the device in the corresponding manager, which can be called from the “Control Panel” or by command devmgmt.msc from the “Run” console. Perhaps it will need to be turned on (enabled) here. For some non-standard devices that are not automatically detected by the system, you may need to install the hardware manufacturer's native driver. However, it is also worth paying attention to the physical condition of the drive or hard drive. If the microcontroller fails, there is nothing you can do - no matter how hard you try, the device will not work.
The optical disk drive (drive) is practically not used in modern computer technology. It has been replaced by Flash memory in a wide variety of forms. In some cases, external drives are used that are connected via a USB port. But for certain purposes, the disk drive remains indispensable, and optical disks have not been canceled and they are popular. If the computer does not see the disk drive in Windows 7 after rebooting, then, first of all, it is necessary to determine the nature of the malfunction.
BIOS settings
BIOS is the main program for the operation of all devices connected to the motherboard. If the disk drive is visible in the BIOS, then this problem can be ignored. If the BIOS does not see the device, then you can turn it on. The procedure in this case differs depending on the motherboard manufacturer.
IMPORTANT! Do not make changes if you are not sure of the result or do not know where and what to change.
The simplest and safest option is to change the default BIOS settings (Load Defaults). Confirm the change in settings, restart the computer and check whether the computer sees the drive and whether it works correctly.
System or software failures
Programs may freeze and crash from time to time. If the program that is responsible for the operation of the device stops working, then the device may turn off completely. In such cases, Windows does not find the drive or does not always see it.
In the "DVD and CD-ROM drives" section, find your physical drive. The device icon should not have an exclamation mark or question mark. If so, the device driver is not loaded or is not working correctly. Right-click on the device and select Uninstall. Restart your computer and check the drive status again.
The computer will reboot and the procedure of returning system files to the state at the number that was selected will begin. After Windows boots, the disk drive should appear and you can perform all operations.
IMPORTANT! All programs that were installed after the selected date will be removed.
Violations of the contact group, physical malfunctions
If the problem cannot be solved using settings and programs, then you need to check the physical connection of the device to the computer and determine the cause of the malfunction:
- Broken contacts of the data transfer cable (IDE - for old PCs, SATA - for new ones).
- Broken power supply contacts.
- Malfunction of the controller, physical wear of the drive.
- Failure of IDE/SATA ports on the motherboard.
The solution options are very simple and do not require special skills. Let's look at the procedure:
- Click on the drive open button. If there is a reaction, the indicator blinks and the disc tray opens, then everything is fine with the power supply.
- Replace the data cable, turn on the PC and check the presence and functionality of the drive.
- Connect a known-good drive and see if it works. You also need to check how your drive works on another computer.
IMPORTANT! All replacements of components, wires, cables, devices are carried out only in a completely de-energized system unit. You can turn it on only after completing installation or replacing parts.
If the results are not achieved, then most likely the corresponding connectors on the motherboard do not work. Such a malfunction can only be corrected by a specialized service.
If you find that the BIOS does not recognize the DVD drive, then, as a rule, in most cases the user can solve this problem independently, without the help of computer specialists. The causes of the problem can be different - from a malfunction of the drive itself to an incorrect connection of the drive and incorrect settings of the BIOS options.
Optical DVD and CD-ROM drives have become widespread in the computer world due to the low cost of storage media, low price and ease of use. True, in recent years, the scope of application of optical drives has somewhat narrowed, but they are still widely used as sources of multimedia and software content, as well as high-capacity removable boot media.
The vast majority of internal DVD and CD-ROM drives use the 5.25-inch form factor and the same interfaces as hard drives, that is, IDE and SATA interfaces. Consequently, problems when connecting optical drives are usually similar to problems when connecting hard drives of the corresponding interfaces.
Causes of the problem and its possible solutions
If you are faced with a situation where the BIOS does not see the DVD or CD-ROM drive, then this problem may be caused by the following main reasons:
- Incorrect BIOS options settings
- Errors in this BIOS version
- Incorrect or inaccurate connection of the drive using cables
- Failure of the drive controller or motherboard chipset
First of all, if a problem occurs, the user needs to check that the BIOS settings are correct. It should be remembered that the BIOS contains options that allow you to disable the IDE/SATA controller or its individual channels. In addition, there is a possibility that the problem occurs due to errors in the BIOS itself. Therefore, it is recommended to reset the BIOS to default settings or update the BIOS to the latest version.
The problem may also be due to incorrect cable connections to the drive. For IDE interface drives, you should also remember to correctly install the jumpers that determine the status of the drive - Master or Slave.
Conclusion
In most computers, DVD and CD-ROM optical drives perform an auxiliary function and are used as devices for reading information from removable media, and sometimes also for loading the operating system. Therefore, a malfunction of a DVD or CD-ROM drive in many cases can be quite critical for the user and cause him inconvenience. If the problem is not caused by a drive hardware failure, it can usually be corrected by properly configuring BIOS settings, updating the BIOS version, or checking that the drive is properly connected to the motherboard or power supply.
Bios does not see the disk drive: instructions for solving the problem
Most often, the situation in which the BIOS does not see the drive occurs after some manipulations in the system unit - replacing components, switching, and so on. But it happens that the BIOS stops detecting the optical driver for no apparent reason.
In the latter case, the following problems can be assumed:
The computer settings have gone wrong.
The disk drive has failed.
Incorrect driver.
To check the first point, you need to open the “System Restore” interface and select a rollback point. After a few minutes, the computer will finish restoring its earlier state, automatically reboot, and, if the settings were incorrect, the device will start working normally. An even more drastic remedy is to reinstall the Windows operating system. After this update, most random problems disappear.
Still no drive? Then you can begin opening the system unit. The task is:
Check the functionality of the drive itself.
Find out if the connection cable is working properly.
Is the cable connected correctly?
Check if the jumpers are installed correctly.
A reliable way to check the functionality of an optical drive is to remove it from the problem computer and insert it into another system unit, on which its own laser driver previously read and wrote discs perfectly.
If, after connecting it to a new location, the device still does not want to work, there is a high probability that it burned out, has served its purpose, and it’s time for you to prepare money to purchase a new one.
Did you find the drive in the new location perfectly, did everything work as it should? Then move on to the “be” plan. The next weak point is the connecting cables themselves, which instantly lose contact in thin conductors with the slightest effort, bending, or twisting.
If possible, cables are also checked by replacing them with known-good analogues. Often, when connecting, the contact block is not inserted all the way, and then the connection will not occur. If the contact group is difficult to insert, sometimes excessive force is applied, and the contacts are likely to bend or deviate. You need to see if the cable contacts are physically damaged.
The drives in the system unit are connected according to the Master-Slave principle. In English Master-Slave. The main device must always be connected to the outer terminal of the cable, and the slave - to the middle, intermediate one. Check and connect properly.
Now pay attention to the correct installation of the jumpers. The jumpers are located on the back of the device, next to the connection connector. By the way, during the process, do not forget to check whether the power cable is connected and whether it is connected correctly. Lack of power will also cause the BIOS not to see the drive.
How to install jumpers correctly
There is nothing complicated about connecting jumpers. The connection diagram depends on the brand of the device and is printed on the top surface of the box. First, look at exactly how the jumpers are set on the drivers connected to the system unit. If the hard drive and optical drive have the same priorities, for example, both are Master, then the BIOS will not be able to determine anything.
It is necessary to set the jumpers so that only one drive is the Master drive and the other is the slave drive. Typically, a hard drive on which the Windows operating system is installed is assigned as the Master, so that when you turn on the computer, the RAM starts immediately and there are no delays due to the search for a boot disk.
Carefully study the jumper installation diagram and do as you need. On some types of devices, to assign the drive to “slaves”, the jumper must be completely removed. After this, you can start the computer and check whether the BIOS has begun to find your lost optical devices or hard drives.
Setting up a DVD or CD drive connection
Open Windows Explorer and see if the DVD is there. If Explorer does not see the drive, it is quite possible that the device is simply not connected to the system. The second option is that the optical drive driver is damaged or missing altogether. This could be the consequences of a virus infection on your computer or a problem after uninstalling an unnecessary program.
If you recently deleted something from your computer, and it desperately did not want to be deleted, it is very likely that in the process of uprooting an unnecessary application, these very roots were damaged.
In such a situation, even the system restore procedure does not help. Open Device Manager and check if your drive is turned on at all. If the dispatcher window says “Not Enabled,” simply replace it with “Enabled.”
Restart your computer and see what has changed. If the drive is not found again, there is probably a problem with the driver. Now open the Optical DVD RW Properties interface. Go to the Drivers tab. Find the Delete button. Click and uninstall the driver. Restart your computer. After a reboot, the system itself detects the drive and, detecting the absence of adjacent software, automatically downloads and installs it.
Notes
If your computer's hard drive and optical drive are connected using one cable, then this situation usually leads to slow operation of both devices. This will be especially noticeable if the laser DVD/CD drive is an old model or has simply been in use for a long time.
You bought the newest one drive, connecting it to your computer is easy. In modern systems, the drive is detected mechanically; if this does not happen and the drive is not found, then most likely you will have to go into the BIOS settings.
Instructions
1. To enter the BIOS, just press one key when starting the computer. Most often it is Del, F1, F2, F3, F5, F10 or the combination Ctrl+Alt+Esc. It depends on the model and the company that makes the BIOS. Be that as it may, in the lower left corner of the monitor there is the inscription Press X to enter seup, where X is the name of the button to enter the BIOS. If you did everything positively, the BIOS window will appear.
2. In the BIOS, look for the drives tab, if it is a SATA drive, you need to find the SATA-Device item, if you have an IDE drive, then IDE-Device, if you have a USB drive, then USB-Device. Find the name of your drive, if on the other side it says Disabled, then change it to Enabled.
3. Now you need to preserve the metamorphoses. To do this, you need to select the Save & Exit Setup tab or press the F10 key. A confirmation window for saving changes will appear. Press the Y key if you want to apply them, if not, press the N key.
4. After the reboot, the file will become available and recognized by the operating system. If this does not happen, check whether the drive is connected positively, all cables are connected, and the power cord is connected. It is possible that the cable or cord is broken and does not connect, then change it.
5. If you need to boot from the drive, you will need to enter the BIOS again. Find the BOOT or Advanced BIOS Features tab, then Boot Device Priority (select the boot sequence, putting your drive first) or First Boot Device (select the name of your drive). Save metamorphoses, restart your computer and work from your boot disk.
A computer without a CD-ROM may become useless for some, because you will not be able to copy music, play CD games, or install new software. But you don’t have to immediately purchase the latest drive; you can try to restore it independently.
Instructions
1. Press the CD eject button to check if it operates mechanically. If this does not happen, use an ordinary paper clip to open the drive. Unbend it and insert it into the hole on the front panel of the drive, pressing lightly. The drive should open. Check for damaged plastic or debris that is preventing the actuator from opening and closing properly.
2. Go to the Start menu and go to Control Panel. Click on the "Device Manager" button, and then click on the "+" sign located to the left of your CD-Drive device. Select Settings. Click the checkbox next to the Auto Withdraw option if it is not already enabled. Click OK, then restart your computer and try opening the CD drive again.
3. Turn off all power to the computer, and then unplug the power cord from the outlet. Disconnect all computer peripherals, and then turn the system unit sideways. Take a screwdriver and remove the four screws on the sides of the case, then pull the side panel to remove it.
4. Unscrew the screws securing the CD drive, then disconnect the cables leading to the motherboard and power supply from it. Please note that they may be worn out and need to be replaced. Remove all dust and debris from around the drive. Replace the screws and then reconnect all cables. Reinstall the side panel on the chassis. Turn on your computer.
5. Go to Control Panel and select Device Manager. Right-click on the CD drive icon and go to Settings again. Click on the “Drivers” tab, and then “Check for drivers”. Download and install the latest driver, updating to the latest version if available.
6. Contact the manufacturer of your CD-ROM drive for replacement or warranty repair if the device continues to not work.
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