• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Help! New CD Drive making XP Freeze!!!

V

vetteguy

Diamond Member
OK, so here's the deal. I had a perfectly running XP installation, but I decided to do a complete format/reinstall. While I was at it, I swapped out my 12X TDK burner for a new 40X Liteon. Well, after installing Windows and minimal apps, it is constantly freezing. It will freeze at totally random times and require me to restart. The ONLY THING that is different between now and before is the Liteon. The last time it froze, I looked at the drive and noticed the access light was on. Could something with the drive be causing these hangs? I have DMA enabled ("Use DMA if available") and it is operating in DMA mode 2. I just tried installing the new VIA drivers, and I'm going to see how that works. Anyone ever see this before? I'm trying to be brief in case it locks up on me again (this is my third attempt to post) but I can try to expand more tomorrow from work. THanks!
 
Ok...I'm at work now so here are some details on my machine:

Athlon 1.4GHz
Asus A7M266
512 MB Crucial DDR
Radeon 8500 Retail w/latest drivers from ATI
Soundblaster Live
Liteon 40X/12X/48X
Maxtor 40GB 7200 RPM
Generic NIC

I installed the newest VIA 4-in-1s last night, just to see what would happen. I ran for about 45 minutes after that without a freeze, but I can't really use that as proof that it fixed the problem. Like I mentioned before, the only hardware change was the Liteon, which is why it has to have something to do with the problem. Am I missing anything or should I be trying anything else?
 
Well...it's still doing it. Now it is locking up within the first 30 seconds after it boots. However, I left it running one time and after a few minutes it actually recovered and "unlocked". I looked in my log files and there was this entry right after it locked up:

"The device, \Device\Ide\IdePort2, did not respond within the timeout period."

My new CD burner is the master device on the secondary IDE channel, which should be IdePort2. So it sounds to me like somehow Windows is losing contact with the drive and it gets confused. Any ideas on what to do next?
 
Look in your "Event Viewer" under system and application... Post here the related errors for when you are having, post the "source" and "eventID." If you show several, make sure you post a few just before (time wise) the actual error...
 
seems to me that there's 2 things that you changed . the cd burner and the windows install. have you tryed without the burner ? or with the old one ?
good luck
 
Well I meant it is the only thing that changed hardware wise. I would think if anything a fresh install would help, not hurt. I am at work and I don't remember the specific error message (I'll post it later) but the latest one was something like:

'The device Liteon CD......was removed from the system without notification.'

I looked in Windows Explorer and sure enough the drive wasn't showing up, and I couldn't eject the tray. So now it's looking like for some reason it's losing power and therefore losing connection with the system, which causes XP to hang and have a problem. My next step will be to change the power plug it's connected to, then if that doesn't help try my old drive again. It's possible I have a bum unit.
 
BTW: Do you know how many WATTS the power supply is?

However, it is not too likely that is the problem, just something to monitor.

 


<< BTW: Do you know how many WATTS the power supply is?

However, it is not too likely that is the problem, just something to monitor. >>


Yep...it's an Enermax 431-something or other. I bought it back in October so I don't remember the exact model. But the system is not taxed for power by any means, especially for a power supply with that much juice.
 
OK...so here's what I think is happening. First, here is the error message that I get right after a freeze:

The device 'LITE-ON LTR-40125S' (IDE\CdRomLITE-ON_LTR-40125S______________________ZS0A____\5&1007656e&0&0.0.0) disappeared from the system without first being prepared for removal.

After it recovers, the drive is no longer visible in Windows and it acts as if it has no power. (I can't even open the tray). So it looks like somehow the power to the drive is getting killed. I think that it is plugged into the same power connector as my old one was, but I'm going to double-check that. If it is, would it be safe to say there is something wrong with the drive?
 
<<would it be safe to say there is something wrong with the drive? >>

If there is an internal problem with the CDRW drive, it could bleed into your IDE bus channel. This is very rare, but can happen.

To check for a physical problem with the CDRW, unplug ONLY the IDE connector that goes to it. If it runs perfectly normal after a given time, then there is likely some mechanical issue in the CDRW.

To check for electrical issue on CDRW, just unplug the 4-pin power connector cable on the drive.

Ironically, a hosed OS install can also cause lots of bizzar behavior...but I won't even go there 🙂
 
The Asus A7M is normally a very stable board, but I have seen cases where putting in a new drive will cause problems.

The generic NIC you mentioned. What is the brand and model? I built a system not long ago where the NIC was the culprit in causing the CD-rom not to be recognized properly or at all.
 
Well I opened up the case and made sure that the power connector was securely plugged in. It did feel a little loose, but it won't fit as snug as some do. I did that yesterday and (knock on wood) haven't had a freeze yet. Hopefully that fixed the problem. Thanks to all for your suggestions and help though!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top