Need help to try and repair an Iomega CDRW

[SithSolo1]

For starters, I have no manual: its a bare drive.

I am brave enough to open it up if need be.
I have tried every jumper config and 2 computers. All cables were checked for a scure conection.

The problem(s):

The computer can't see/detect the drive.
The busy light is always on.
The tray won't open when you press the button.

If this is hopless tell me now.

 

[rw120555]

Much as I dislike Iomega, their support web pages are pretty good. Select your specific drive, and you may be able to find the answers to your problems, maybe even a copy of the original manual. They have some detailed FAQs on installation problems. Also, the support forums aren't bad -- you don't get much support from Iomega itself, but other users are often helpful.

If you want more help here, it would probably be good to tell us the specific model. Just from your description, it does sound a bit hopeless (my guess would be a bad cable connection but you seem to have ruled that out -- but make sure the cable isn't upside down or something). One thing you might try, if you haven't already, is changing the bios settings. If the current setting for the IDE port the drive is on is "None" then set it to auto-detect. Conversely (and I've never understood why this works) if it is set to auto, then try resetting it to "None." For some reason, this will clear up conflicts some time and devices will work.

Good luck. RW

 

[SithSolo1]

Its a ZipCD 650 12x4x32x

Model# ZIPCD1536int

The cable can't go in upside down. I tried the BIOS thing but that didn't work. =(

 

[rw120555]

Here is the manual for that drive. Other info for it is here. Sounds to me like you've already covered most of the bases, but maybe there is something in the installation or troubleshooting you have overlooked. Good luck, but the drive may be a goner.

 

[SithSolo1]

TTT