Odd problem related to CD/DVD drive

[MindBlast]

Okay, so I've got an interesting issue.

My CD/DVD-RW drive doesn't always work. Sometimes, when I start up the computer, it won't detect the device in SATA slot 6, which is my CD/DVD-RW drive. If I swap it to slot 5 (currently empty) it works for awhile, then gives me the same problem until I put it back in slot 6.

I seem to need to swap once every few weeks or so. I'm not sure what's causing the problem, whether it's the board (Asus P6T) or whether it's something related to the drive or cable. I think I've ruled out the cable being a problem since I've used a different one now, but I can't figure this out.

 

[gewhite3]

You may want to check the jumpers and make sure it's set to slave. Jumper settings are different depending on the make / model of the drive, but if you're not sure you should be able to find some documentation of the jumper settings online.

 

[Corny]

check if you find some "boot wait" or "slow boot" option and enable it. or if you find some quickboot option or so disable it.

 

[wooffy]

You may want to check the jumpers and make sure it's set to slave. Jumper settings are different depending on the make / model of the drive, but if you're not sure you should be able to find some documentation of the jumper settings online.

SATA drive, no such thing!

OP: In addition to Corny's suggestion, try rebooting once or twice (sometimes a poor power supply has a hard time powering all devices on cold boot); you should also try a different SATA cable, the connector on those sucks.

 

[trinket]

I can echo wooffy's suggestions. Those clip-less SATA cables can easily dislodge (just slightly, enough to lose contact, or fall out completely) while you're in there working, sometimes just with the bump of a hand while you're reaching for something else.

And like he said, one thought I had is it could also be a power supply issue - I had a power supply that would fail to provide power to the CD/DVD drive and a particular hard drive on boot. I replaced it with a higher quality brand and higher capacity wattage one and no problems anymore. You don't have to get an uber-top-of-the-line one, but you might want to step it up a bit. Check this out for some ideas/reviews.

 

[MindBlast]

I can echo wooffy's suggestions. Those clip-less SATA cables can easily dislodge (just slightly, enough to lose contact, or fall out completely) while you're in there working, sometimes just with the bump of a hand while you're reaching for something else.

And like he said, one thought I had is it could also be a power supply issue - I had a power supply that would fail to provide power to the CD/DVD drive and a particular hard drive on boot. I replaced it with a higher quality brand and higher capacity wattage one and no problems anymore. You don't have to get an uber-top-of-the-line one, but you might want to step it up a bit. Check this out for some ideas/reviews.

Definitely not the PSU, or I'd have trouble running my video card which takes two plugs from it. I've got a Corsair HX 850W power supply. That should be sufficient.

EDIT: After closer examination of the SATA ports, it's nothing to do with the board and everything to do with the CD/DVD-RW drive itself. I had a really close look at the back of it after all of your suggestions and discovered that the vibration from the drive when it spins up is enough to loosen the connector. The port just isn't tight on the back of it, unlike the hard drives I have. Thanks guys!

 

[trinket]

Glad you got it solved! It sure doesn't take very much to dislodge those SATA cables at all, I've been surprised. You could try cutting very small pieces of electrical tape (one for top, one for bottom) to secure that end of the cable onto the CD/DVD drive itself, or perhaps try the clip-grasp cables.

 

[wooffy]

Definitely not the PSU, or I'd have trouble running my video card which takes two plugs from it. I've got a Corsair HX 850W power supply. That should be sufficient.

EDIT: After closer examination of the SATA ports, it's nothing to do with the board and everything to do with the CD/DVD-RW drive itself. I had a really close look at the back of it after all of your suggestions and discovered that the vibration from the drive when it spins up is enough to loosen the connector. The port just isn't tight on the back of it, unlike the hard drives I have. Thanks guys!

Great! If you have spare SATA cables, some fit more tightly than others. Of course duct tape is your friend ;-)

 

[T-Rexx]

After closer examination of the SATA ports, it's nothing to do with the board and everything to do with the CD/DVD-RW drive itself. I had a really close look at the back of it after all of your suggestions and discovered that the vibration from the drive when it spins up is enough to loosen the connector. The port just isn't tight on the back of it, unlike the hard drives I have. Thanks guys!

If you happen to have a hot glue gun, that is generally a good way to secure a connector like that.

 

[MindBlast]

If you happen to have a hot glue gun, that is generally a good way to secure a connector like that.

Haha I already decided it wasn't worth the trouble or anything, so I bought a new one earlier today for $27.99. Those type of drives are super cheap these days. I remember paying 200 bucks for my Plextor back in the day. I still have it, but it's IDE so I can't use it. Maybe I'll get a PCI-E to IDE card to use it with, hehe.