Dec 03, 2020 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions
Conventional users of the desktop system cannot forget the importance of CD-ROM. Although, the days when stacks and stacks of CD-ROMs used to occupy our space our gone, thanks to the rise in technology and bringing us external storage devices, even today, there is no dearth of users who like to work with CD-ROM and DVD. Often, it is about the media content that is required to be exchanged, and therefore, it is essential that your disk drive should be in order. So, in the following article, we shall the troubleshooting techniques when you encounter the issue of CD-Drive not working. While the issue of CD-ROM not working can be frustrating for the users, it can cause loss of data, disrupt normal work procedures, and so on. The knowledge to overcome the error of CD-ROM not working is helpful if one wishes to resolve the error in absolutely no time. In the given article, we shall look at multiple solutions to solve the issue of CD-Drive not working.
Part 1: Yellow Exclamation Mark when CD-Drive not Working:
For the ones using Windows 7 or earlier variants, when the CD or DVD drive is not seen in the File Explorer, there is a yellow exclamation point along which the device is marked within the Device Manager. Alternatively, when users access the device’s Properties dialog box, one of the following errors can be seen in the ‘Device Status’ area.
The above-listed errors can be due to the following reasons;
- User must have upgraded the Windows Operating System
- User must have installed or uninstalled CD or DVD Recording Programs
- User must have installed Microsoft Digital Image
Note: This Mac DVD drive not working solution is only available on Mac OS X Lion. If you are a Snow Leopard and below user, please look for other ways. Q: My CD/DVD Drive on my iMac keeps ejecting every CD/DVD when I put a CD/DVD in the drive. It sounds like it tries to read the disc. Few days ago, i was going to put an installation disc in my iMac. When i noticed that it would not suck in the disc. I tried pressing and holding down the eject button but nothing actually happened. I don't want to push the disc in because it will get stuck in there. The Apple Store is in.
In the following sections, we shall look at solutions to solve the problem of CD-ROM not working.
Part 2: Using Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter:
This is the basic method to get rid of the problem of CD-Drive not working. With a few simple steps to follow, users can have their DVD and CD-ROM recognized by the system. Here are the steps:
- Tap the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- You are then required to type ‘Control’ in the dialog box and then tap ‘Enter’.
- In the Control Panel, find the search box, and type ‘Troubleshooter’, and then tap on ‘Troubleshooting’.
- You have to click on the ‘Configure device’ that is listed under the Hardware and Sound Item. Users might be prompted to type in their passwords for confirmation.
If this doesn’t resolve the error, you can move on to the next solution.
Part 3: Using the Microsoft Fix it Center:
The next solution to help us encounter the problem of CD-Drive not working is to use the CD/DVD ‘Fix it’ Troubleshooter. To enable the troubleshooter, all one has to do is click ‘Run Now’ and follow the onscreen instructions that appear. This is more or less a conclusive step to eliminating the problem of CD-Drive not working. If it doesn’t get you through, you can move on to the next solution, which tends to get a little complicated for the user with no technical know-how.
Part 4: Manually Fixing Registries to solve the issue of ‘CD-Drive not working’:
The issue with registries can lead to the problem of ‘CD-ROM not working’, and therefore, in the following section, we help you with the mechanism that can get you through the troubleshooting process. However, this solution is recommended only for the advanced users as there is a need to perform the process as an administrator. Alongside, make sure that you create a backup of your registry.
Here are the steps to overcome the issue of ‘CD-Drive not working’:
- Start with tapping the Windows logo key + R to open the ‘Run’ dialog box.
- Type Regedit in the Run dialog box, and then press Enter. Users could be prompted to type in their system password for confirmation.
- The following subkey is to be clicked once the users access the navigation pane.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} - Click ‘UpperFilters’ in the right pane.
Users must note that they could see a UpperFilters.bak registry entry. Please note that the entry is not to be tampered with. - Once you reach the ‘Edit’ menu, click ‘Delete’.
- Users would be prompted to confirm the deletion, for which they have to click ‘Yes’.
- ‘LowerFilters’ is to be clicked in the right pane.
- On the Edit menu, tap on Delete.
- Tap ‘Yes’ when prompted to confirm the deletion.
- You are now required to exit the registry editor.
- Finish the process by restarting the computer.
- On the Edit menu, tap on Delete.
If this doesn’t end the ‘CD-ROM not working’ issue, there is nothing to worry about as there is another solution to go for.
Part 5: Update or Reinstall the Drivers to solve the issue of ‘CD-Drive not working’:
Users are required to visit the manufacturer’s website in order to search for the drivers that can help resolve the issue of ‘CD-ROM not working’. The instructions for the same can be sought from the website.
- Press the Windows logo key + R and access the Run dialog box.
- Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box, and then tap on the Enter key. Click on ‘Allow’ or type in your password when there is a prompt.
- In Device Manager, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives, follow it with right-click the CD and DVD devices, and then tap on uninstall.
- Give the confirmation when there is a prompt.
- Finish the process by rebooting the system as that would install your drivers.
The problem of ‘CD-ROM’ not working, and through the above methods, we wish to help our readers with a conclusive method in order to overcome that error. If you have used any of the methods, let us know about your experience in the comments section.
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Jan 06, 2021 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Have you ever met the above-described scenario before? While your Seagate, Western Digital, PS4, or Buffalo external hard drive connected to the Windows or Mac computer, the device did not show up. The situation will erode your calmness especially when you have extremely important files in the unrecognized external hard drive. How to fix external hard drive not recognized? Don't worry, this article will provide you step-by-step instructions on how to get the problem settled.
Why Does Your PC Not Recognize External Hard Drive?
You might wonders why your Windows or Mac computer does not recognize the external hard drive. And this problem can be caused by some partition issues:
- The external hard drive partition gets damaged.
- The file system is crashed.
- the drive errors occur in Windows or Mac computers.
- The USB port is dead.
You can try to connect the hard drive to another computer or connect it with other USB ports. If all the methods do not work, you can follow the article tutorial to fix the external hard drive not recognized on Windows or Mac computer, and you can recover lost data from an external hard drive with Recoverit Data Recovery.
How to Fix External Hard Drive Not Recognized on Windows?
If you want to solve your external hard drive not recognized on Windows 7, Windows 10 efficiently, it is advised that you conduct a problem diagnosis. Only when you know the specific reason why your external hard drive not showing up, can you settle it case by case. If you are not sure of the cause, just follow the guide to eliminate the causes one by one and get the issue done.
Step 1 Make Sure Your USB Port Is Dead or Not
You might be plugging in the USB cable in a dead USB port. Unplug your external hard drive and plugin it into another USB port. Now, see if it is present there in the My Computer window. If not, follow step 2.
Step 2 Find Your External Hard Drive Partition in Disk Management Windows
Now, look for the external drive in the Disk Management window. To begin with, press Windows+R to arouse the Run interface. Type diskmgmt. msc to open the Disk Management window, where you can find your drive even if it is not recognized because of no partition. If you cannot find the drive in the Disk Management window then you can go for step 3.
Step 3 Check It Is Computer or Hard Drive Default
By plugging in another USB port or finding the hard drive in the Disk Management interface, still, you cannot get the issue settled. Then there might be any problem with your Windows computer. Connect it to another computer, and follow step 1 to step 3 to check the external drive is recognized or not. If the drive still not shows up on another Windows computer, there must be something wrong with the drive, otherwise follow step 4.
Step 4 Find out The Problematic Hard Drive
To further diagnose a driver problem, press Windows+R and type 'devmgmt.msc' to expand Disk Drives. Look for a device having a yellow exclamation mark, which indicates a problematic hard driver. Now, right-click on the problematic device and read the error message after selecting properties. This issue can resolve in the following two ways:
- Click on the update driver button for installing updated drivers.
- Uninstall the driver and restart your computer. After restarting, the Windows will automatically reinstall and reconfigure the driver.
Now, plug in the external hard drive again or follow step 5 if the drive is still not recognized.
Step 5 Does Partition or Format Cause Hard Drive not Show Up?
Partitioning and formatting can also lead to the external not recognized issue. Partitioning can be fixed through Windows Disk Management tools. To create a new partition, just click the Unallocated Space and select New Simple Volume. You can create a new partition by following onscreen instructions.
Sometimes, your hard drive is formatted by the ext4 file system of Linux, NTFS file system, HFS Plus file system, or FAT32 file system, which is not recognized by your Windows. You can reformat the external hard drive through Windows to solve the issue. For this purpose, right-click on the partition, select Format, and then select the file system. Please kindly get noted! it is important and necessary you backup all your files on other systems before proceeding with 'format instruction', otherwise all your files will be wiped.
How to Fix External Hard Drive Not Recognized on Mac
Mac computer also detects an external drive automatically. If it doesn't, follow these steps:
Step 1 Look for Your External Hard Drive in 'Finder' Interface
First of all, click on File, and then press the New Finder window. Now, look for the hard drive below the Remote Disk.
Step 2 Make Sure the External Hard Drive Is Properly Connected to Mac
If the external drive is not there, make sure that the USB cable is properly plugged in. It is advised you can change another USB port to have a try.
Step 3 Open 'Disk Utility' to Mount The External Hard Drive on Mac
Sometimes, the drive is connected but not mounted. To mount a drive, open Disk Utility and look for the external hard drive in the list. If it is there, click on the Mounting button. Then open a Finder window to see if the drive is mounted or not.
Step 4 Ensure Enough Power for The Drive
If you still cannot find it in the Finder, it is supposed that the drive does not enough power. A single USB port can only provide 5V. In that case, use a USB cable with two USB connections. One is for the external hard drive and the other is for Mac. Therefore, It can supply the power required by the external hard drive.
These steps for fixing an external hard drive not recognized on Windows and Mac are suitable for external hard drives of all capacities and manufacturers. And for your convenience, here also attaches the Wondershare Recoverit tutorial on how to fix the external hard drive not showing up. However, if still the issue is not resolved, you can avail of professional help.
Video Tutorial on How to Fix External Hard Drive Not Showing Up
A Professional External Hard Drive Data Recovery Software
After fixing the hard drive that is not recognized on Windows and Mac, you might want to get your data back. Here We introduce a professional external hard drive data recovery software - Wondershare Recoverit to you. Also, its operation steps are clearly listed to help you recover your hard drive data effectively and efficiently.
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Steps on How to Recover Data from External Hard Drive
Download and install Recoverit Data Recovery on your computer. Launch Recoverit to your Windows or Mac computers. Then follow the next step to perform external hard drive data recovery on a Windows or Mac computer.
Step 1. Select The External Hard Drive
Connect your external hard drive to the computer, select it while the disk is detected on the program.
Step 2. Scan The Hard Drive
The external hard drive recovery software will start scanning the device to search the lost files.
Step 3. Preview And Recover The Files
In minutes, all recovered files will display. You can preview photos, videos, music, word, excel, ppt, pdf, etc. Select your files and click the Recover button to restore them.
When the external hard drive gets damaged, you can try to fix it with the solution mentioned above. Also, get your data back with Wondershare Recoverit in three simple steps. Download and try it for now.
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