CDROM controller problem in laptop

Brambory

Junior Member
Jan 16, 2000
23
0
0
I have a Dell Latitude Cpi laptop that has several problems since putting in a new HDD, new BIOS, then 98SE, and I wonder if the problems are connected. When it boots up there are two beeps which I assume are some sort of code that means something is wrong (a low tone long and a higher tone short ? but Phoenix beeps are supposed to come in three or four bursts separated by pauses).
When I get to the desktop I can open My Computer, but the window takes more than a minute for the icons to appear. When they do appear I get both a D: and an E: cdrom icon (D is the correct one).
When I open Device Manager there is an exclamation point by the CDROM Controller (not the CDROM). I remove it and then install it again through Add New Hardware in the control panel. When I go to install the controller I get a message that I must install the card for his controller. But there ain?t no card since the secondary IDE controller is in the mainboard, not on a card (I think).
If I look in Components>Problem Devices in System Information there is some message in red that says ?This device has a problem. This device is not present, not working properly, or does not have all the drivers installed?. I?ve reinstalled drivers several times, to no avail. Does anybody have any clues as to where to intervene in this set of problem? Thanks.
 

Brambory

Junior Member
Jan 16, 2000
23
0
0
I got the unit used and it didn't come with a cd. It originally had Windows 95 on it. When I replaced the HDD I put 98SE on it The original HDD had a bunch of things to download onto floppies to transfer to a new HDD should the need arise. I did most of those. I'm tempted to put the old HDD back in and see if there are any diagnostic utilities on it that I can put on a floppy. First I'll look on the Dell site to see if there is a utility to download. I tried a Dell diagnostic disc that I had from a desktop. When I open the Delldiag file from the floppy I get a pretty little red window that says "CRITICAL ERROR: Initialization failed. Processor is in protected mode - can't run diagnostics." Funny thing, it has the name and model number of my unit at the top of the window.

I assume that Windows 98 is supported because it has a sticker by the touchpad that says "Designed for Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 98, right by the Intel Inside sticker. I take it that you guys don't know if the beeeep-beep that I get when it boots up means anything. Update- when I just booted it up now the My Computer window opened right away, but in Explorer style instead of with icons, and instead of two cdroms listed there are none! Oh well.

Later...I downloaded a diagnostic program from Dell, 5 floppies worth. My laptop doesn't like it. I get a message about an Access Violation when I try to open the Delldiag file on the first floppy in the set. You can probably tell that I have no idea what I'm doing.