PC shuts down when a disc is inserted.

[Dunnsdale]

Top drive has DVD rom written on it,one below it has DVD super multi recorder written on it.

 

PC is a Fujitsu Siemens scaleo.How do I find the make and model number of the drives?I have a drivers and utilities disc but obviously its currently useless.

 

Hi again,

Thanks for the information it will help later, but I am afraid Fujitsu Seimens are terrible for technical help.

OK, we need first to go into device manager and check if there are any exclamation marks (in yellow) or crosses (in red).

To get to device manager the quick way- Click "Start" then "Run". In the box type-

 

devmgmt.msc

 

Then click OK.

you will see a list of all devices. Look for DVD/CD ROM Drives, on the left it may have a + in a small box, click on that and it should show the two drives you have, are there any ! or X marks in red or yellow?

If so is it both or just one, and which one?

 

Nev.

 

Hi Nev.....Thats how I got the information about the drivers listed above.No + x red or yellows in evidence.

[Plastic Nev]

OK Thanks for that, let's see if the drivers need updating.

While still in device manager, double click on the drive that is giving the trouble, this will open the properties window of that drive.

Click on the driver tab, then click the "update driver".

A quicker way is to right click on the faulty drive then select "Update driver" from there.

See if that helps.

Let us know if any difficulties.

Nev.

[Dunnsdale]

OK Thanks for that, let's see if the drivers need updating.

While still in device manager, double click on the drive that is giving the trouble, this will open the properties window of that drive.

Click on the driver tab, then click the "update driver".

A quicker way is to right click on the faulty drive then select "Update driver" from there.

See if that helps.

Let us know if any difficulties.

Nev.

 

It asks if I have a disc to insert or a specific location to search?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I think we are starting to drift off a bit again, did you fully complete the instructions given in the Malware listing?

[Tootech]

We don't know of any specific errors, and whether or not there is a blue screen error on shutdown.

 

If we can check for that it would possibly narrow it down the a hardware or software fault. If there is a BSOD error, that would suggest some kind of software fault, but if there is no error, just a power down, maybe that would suggest a hardware fault. I'm thinking aloud at this point.

 

So, to check for a blue screen error, when you start your computer press F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options menu, then select Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure.

 

Then try your drive again to cause a shutdown. Do you see a blue screen with lots of writing? If so, what is the Stop Error code?

[Dunnsdale]

I think we are starting to drift off a bit again, did you fully complete the instructions given in the Malware listing?

 

 

Hi Wolfey.I completed steps 1-5 suggested by Plastic Nev in post 4...As per my post 15.

[Dunnsdale]

We don't know of any specific errors, and whether or not there is a blue screen error on shutdown.

 

If we can check for that it would possibly narrow it down the a hardware or software fault. If there is a BSOD error, that would suggest some kind of software fault, but if there is no error, just a power down, maybe that would suggest a hardware fault. I'm thinking aloud at this point.

 

So, to check for a blue screen error, when you start your computer press F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options menu, then select Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure.

 

Then try your drive again to cause a shutdown. Do you see a blue screen with lots of writing? If so, what is the Stop Error code?

 

 

Hi Tootech....Nothing happens when I press F8.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Immediately on boot up continually tap F8 until you get into Safe Mode.

[Dunnsdale]

Got it into safe mode but didn't see a blue screen.

[danzil]

hi

you will not see a blue screen straight away...when in safe mode, pop the culprit cd/dvd in and see if it works,, if not hopefully it will not reboot or shut down, but freeze with a blue screen that has an error code on the bottom of it.....called a stop code..

 

a little information here for you.....yesterday i had to look at a pc with a similar issue...that when a dvd is played it would restart or shutdown....it turned out to be the IDE cable (flat ribbon cable connect the drive to the motherboard), go figure.....may be worth you trying that out....it was not the first thing i looked at after 2 hours lol.

 

regards

danzil

i will keep an eye on this topic, see if we can get it squashed.:)

[Dunnsdale]

Thanks danzil........No freeze I'm afraid.Just continually keeps shutting down when the disc is in.

[RandyL]

To quote Tootech did you Disable Automatic Restart?

So, to check for a blue screen error, when you start your computer press F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options menu, then select Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure.

Also like he said this might be a bad cable or a short circuit. Have you tried a new cable?

 

More feedback on the questions asked or trying the solutions offered would help the forum help you. That is our goal.

[Dunnsdale]

To quote Tootech did you Disable Automatic Restart?

 

Also like he said this might be a bad cable or a short circuit. Have you tried a new cable?

 

More feedback on the questions asked or trying the solutions offered would help the forum help you. That is our goal.

 

Thanks RandyL

 

Yes I did Disable Automatic Restart.Could see no flat ribbon like cable on my pc.If we are talking inside the unit here,then that would be a tad beyond my capability.Think I better change my listing from Beginner to PC illiterate. :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Dunsdale, I am back again. I was going in a round about way to a similar goal but my friend Tootech beat me too it.:)

What we are seeing now is still a total shutdown but no warning or messages, even with the automatic restart disabled, yes?

 

If so I am afraid it is more likely to be a hardware fault inside your computer. Considering the other CD drive is also affected, I am thinking the same way as Danzil now and it could be nothing more than the cable or cables inside that connect the two drives to the mother board.

 

If you wish to go further yourself, don't be too concerned about treading new ground, we can describe in simple terms what to do, where to look, and how to do it all safely. All it takes is the simple removal of two screws and remove the lid to start.

 

However if you don't feel confident enough and wish to take it elsewhere for repair, don't worry, it is also a thing to be recommended.

Nev.

Edited July 8, 2009 by Plastic Nev

[Dunnsdale]

Hi Dunsdale, I am back again. I was going in a round about way to a similar goal but my friend Tootech beat me too it.:)

What we are seeing now is still a total shutdown but no warning or messages, even with the automatic restart disabled, yes?

 

If so I am afraid it is more likely to be a hardware fault inside your computer. Considering the other CD drive is also affected, I am thinking the same way as Danzil now and it could be nothing more than the cable or cables inside that connect the two drives to the mother board.

 

If you wish to go further yourself, don't be too concerned about treading new ground, we can describe in simple terms what to do, where to look, and how to do it all safely. All it takes is the simple removal of two screws and remove the lid to start.

 

However if you don't feel confident enough and wish to take it elsewhere for repair, don't worry, it is also a thing to be recommended.

Nev.

 

Hi again Nev.....Yes total shutdown without warning is what's happening.

 

Sounds straight forward enough.I think even I can manage a couple of screws:)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Consider reading this Dunnsdale.

 

https://supportapj.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/2543d/insthwrp.htm

 

Ignore the initial wording and start from Step 3 in the section Installing the Hardware.

 

If you have any confusion over anything let us know immediately.

[Dunnsdale]

Consider reading this Dunnsdale.

 

https://supportapj.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/2543d/insthwrp.htm

 

Ignore the initial wording and start from Step 3 in the section Installing the Hardware.

 

If you have any confusion over anything let us know immediately.

 

Thanks Wolfey.....Ok I've I've worked out how to remove the drives,unplugged and reconnected the cables.Are we heading towards me replacing the data cable?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Do you still encounter the same problems when dropping a disk in?

 

If so it may be the ribbon cable that's had it or the drive, if you do still have problems obtain a new cable first, it's cheaper.

 

If you still have the same issue replace the drive.

[Dunnsdale]

Do you still encounter the same problems when dropping a disk in?

 

If so it may be the ribbon cable that's had it or the drive, if you do still have problems obtain a new cable first, it's cheaper.

 

If you still have the same issue replace the drive.

 

Yep still got the same problem with the disk.Where can I get a new cable from?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Any computer shop or even PC World for that matter, I just don't like their tech side.

[Dunnsdale]

Any computer shop or even PC World for that matter, I just don't like their tech side.

 

Thanks Wolfey....Whats the correct name for the cable.Do they all have master and slave written on them?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have a look at this, print it off and take it in and they'll know exactly what you want.

 

Startech Ultra ATA/66/100/133 IDE Cable 0.5m - Ebuyer

 

The Blue end goes in the board, the Black end goes in the drive jumpered as Master and the White end goes in the drive jumpered as Slave.

[Dunnsdale]

Have a look at this, print it off and take it in and they'll know exactly what you want.

 

Startech Ultra ATA/66/100/133 IDE Cable 0.5m - Ebuyer

 

The Blue end goes in the board, the Black end goes in the drive jumpered as Master and the White end goes in the drive jumpered as Slave.

 

Many thanks Wolfey......I'll order one online and let you know how I get on.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Please do Dunnsy because at £2.80 you can't go wrong.

 

Also what you have to bear in mind is that with a bit of nerve you have managed to save a fortune over taking it into a shop to have it fitted, the bill for it could have topped £50 or more.

[Dunnsdale]

I'll wait to see if it works before I start celebrating guys.....meanwhile I think I'll treat myself by changing my PC Experience status back to Beginner from PC Illiterate! ;-)