I feel wierd for asking this, since I should technically know what I'm doing, hehe.. but I have a computer here; an OLD computer. It was slapped together by a local computer store. Here is the basic problem, first. I have formatted the main hard drive on this computer, and using a boot disk, attempted to boot up to continue with my usuall install of Win98SE. Upon doing this, I noticed it would not load the CD-ROM. When I opened the case, I noticed a seemingly redundant I/O Card was installed, even though there are onboard IDE and Floppy ports. I went through the basic array of solutions; (Changing the CD-ROM from a Primary Slave to a Secondary Master), and switching between trying just the Primary onboard IDE, or both Primary and Secondary onboard IDE ports, Using only the one IDE port on the I/O Card, and using both the I/O Card and an onboard IDE. (disabling/enabling the BIOS features as needed). Still wouldn't see the CD-ROM, even in the BIOS. I then decided to see if this problem was exclusive to that CD-ROM, or even just CD-ROMs period. The problem continued with 2 other (and known to work) CD-ROMs, so I proceeded to test all the ports with a spare Hard Drive. I found that I can get the Hard Drive to show in the BIOS, but when the boot disk loads the prompt, there is only the floppy, (A:), the main (C:) and the Virtual Drive (D:). I'm beginning to wonder if that may have been the reason for the IDE; something is faulty with the motherboard. But I can't see how; I'm no Guru, but the pieces don't seem to fit. The motherboard is a VIA board, and the model no. seems slighty obscure, but it seems to begin with VT82C. The I/O card is a UMC card from 1993, model no. beggining with UM82C. All the IDE features seem to be configured properly in the bios as well, so I'm wondering if there may be some sort of driver or chipset update. I'm getting really frustrated here; if anybody could help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your time, -Dylan Huculak No Bull Computers

P133 boards wouldn't support a very large drive. That is most likely the reason for the add in card. I suggest you leave the HD connected where it is. Did you check in the BIOS to see if the IDE controllers are even enabled? Older chipsets didn't like to set CD drives on a channel alone. If the channels were enabled I suggest seeing if there are user options for removable, CD, etc. on the IDE controllers. Use the primary, as the add in card has no bearing on the IDE channels. Did you try the CD on the Add in card. Many controller cards don't support optical drives. Look for an option to auto detect all drives on the IDE channels. This isn't the same as just setting to auto.

Hi Dylan Old computers usually didn't show the CDROM in the BIOS...just the HDD would show details. With all the fiddling about in the BIOS, it may be prudent to try setting the BIOS back to default settings. You should find an option there that says "Load BIOS defaults" or something similar. By rights, that would ensure that both IDE ports are enabled. Then ensure that the jumpers are correct on both the HDD and CDROM. HDD = MA CDROM = SL (if on Primary IDE with the HDD) or CDROM = MA ( if by itself on the Secondary) Do you have a good Win98SE bootdisk with CDROM support ? You can get one from www.bootdisk.com When you booted with your boot disk, did it load CDROM drivers ? Any mention on the loading screen about CDROM ? Krystyna

In cmos, you can leave the drive type of the port connected to the cdrom as NONE because, as Krystyna says, the bios doesn't need to see the cdrom. The add-on card may conflict with the on-board IDE controllers. So if at all possible, take it out.

Another possibility. The CDROM drive does not have an IDE interface and the additional card was the controller for the CD drive and require a nother driver. Post the model of the CD Drive and a better description of the unknown card.

For a temporary fix go to Device Manager click on the Master IDE controller Properties/ Settings then select "Both IDE Channels enabled" in the little window. If it already shows that press "set defaults" and then change it back to the above.After reboot your CD Rom will be there again and the little yellow flag has gone till ypo log on the next time.

Ok, just to keep you updated, as this problem is ongoing, I have gone through the Primary and Secondary IDE Channel settings in the bios.. i don't see any CD Settings for the IDE Controllers either. I also know about the jumper settings Krystyna has listed, and have even checked them multiple times. I have also tried the IDE HDD AUTO DETECTION listed to auto-detect all drives and it doesn't see it there. As i said before, I have tried them both on the primary using only the add-on card (with on board IDE and FCC disabled), Both on the primary onboard IDE channel (with the add-on card out), and the Hard Drive as the Primary Master with the CD-rom as the Secondary Master (both onboard; both enabled; card out) As for the possible non-present IDE Interface, as stated before I have tried another CD-ROM that i do know HAS an IDE interface and it too is not detected. But just in case, here is the Model/Info on the CD-ROM/Card: CD-ROM : Philips CDD4401/71 Add-on Card : (There are a few instances of possible model numbers.. been hard to confirm these online, so here is everthing i see that could be pertinant): (White Print on Card, fancy; like a logo): Pantek (or possibly Partek) (White Print on Card itself): PIO-001 EP20070r12 (On one chip labled UMC): UM82C863F 9320S N30572 (On the other chip labled UMC): UM82C865F 9319-AS C02730 This leads me to believe it could actually be a Pantek card.. but i've never heard of them. I will try other things, double/triple/etc check other things, and get back to you guys.. thanks for your help so far.. Oh, and Doogster; this is all pre-windows.. Device Manager does not exist yet.