Reference number: CH000031

CD-ROM receiving power but does not work.

Issue:

CD-ROM receiving power but does not work.

Cause:

This issue could be caused by a loose Interface connection, drivers not loading properly, virus, and/or the drive or CD attempting to be read being dirty.

Solution:

Drivers

Often this issue is caused when your CD-ROM drivers are not loading properly into the computer or have been corrupted with other software.

Microsoft Windows users

See document CH000227 for additional information about troubleshooting a CD-ROM in Windows and re-installing the drive

MS-DOS / Windows command line users

For information about loading the CD-ROM drivers in MS-DOS or the command line see our CD-ROM driver information page.

Loose cable

Verify all your connections are connected properly to the back of the CD-ROM drive. Although your CD-ROM may be getting power the data cable may be loose causing it to not work. Additional information about checking CD-ROM cable connections can be found on document CH000213.

Dirty CD or drive

CDs are read by a laser within your CD-ROM drive; this laser can become dirty causing the CD-ROM to get read errors. See our cleaning page for additional information on how to clean the CD-ROM drive and CDs.

Virus

Master Boot Record Viruses can also prevent CD-ROM drives from working properly. It is recommended that if you have a clean bootable floppy diskette that has CD-ROM support, boot from the diskette and attempt to access the CD-ROM from it. If this does work from the bootable diskette, attempt to re-install the CD-ROM drivers.

Bad drive

If you are still unable to get the CD-ROM to read any of the CDs and you have completed each of the above recommendations, it could be a possibility that your CD-ROM is bad.