CD and DVD drives

Your computer tries to "boot" from several devices:
* floppy disk
* CD/DVD optical device
* disk-drive
* external CD/DVD
* USB memory stick
* PXE ("Pre eXecution Environment)

To use PXE, you need "media" -- a network cable connecting yur computer to a "boot-server". The "media test faiure, check cable" reports that no network-cable exists, or that it does exist WITHOUT being connected to a boot-server.

Probably, your computer failed to boot from a DEAD disk-drive, and then tried floppy/CD/USB before checking PXE.

Replace the disk-drive.

This sounds like a simple problem to fix. You need to get a cd/dvd cleaner disk and place it in the drive. Allow the disk to perform as indicated by the audio instructions included on the disk. All modern lens cleaning disks have the audio instructions that play as the disk is in the machine, so that the customer knows what to do, and in what order to do it in.

After running the disk, get a NEW blank cd, and try to burn some files onto it. If it works right, then that was all that was wrong, if not, then you have corrupted firmware, which is also a relatively easy procedure to fix. Just go to the drive manufacturers website and download the latest firmware fore your drive.

The problem is the first booting device should be hard disk and second should be cd/dvd rom. There must be some bootable cd/dvd in your cd/dvd rom. try removing and check again. Or the OS must have been corrupted. Try backup your data's and try formatting it and install a new OS. The problem should be solved then

You must give your computer time to stop the servo, and unmount the device (please clarify if the time it takes is longer than usual). Have you tried opening the DVD app and open the disc from there?

Some CD burners are either "+" or "-" or both "+ -".

That said you will have to check what type of burner you have. Example, you cannot stick a "+" blank cd into a "-" burner, and visa versa.

However, if your cd burner can read and burn both types, you should be okay.

Hi Grandma Patti,

To test the theory of bad drivers follow this instruction >>>>>>

Right click on My Computer and select Manage from the sub menu.
A computer management window will pop up so select Device Manager from the list on the left hand side.
A device list will populate. Look in the list for DVD/CD ROM drives and click on the + icon next to the DVD/CD.
Right click on the actual DVD/CD drive and select uninstall, click Yes to any warnings given and then restart your PC.

Once the computer has restarted wait for the operating system to reinstall the drivers for the DVD/CD drive and then try to eject the disk tray.
Listen closely to the drive to see if you can hear it trying to eject.

If it still won't eject then chances are the disk tray is getting trapped on the drop down flap on the front of the computer case.
Pull that flap down and push the eject button on the DVD/CD drive and see if it will eject.

If its still won't eject then what E-Machines customer services have told you is correct and you will need a new drive.
They are inexpensive around $30.

If the drive still reads disks then your stuck with using a pin until you can have the drive replaced.

The very best of luck to you.

Well in most PC related optical drives, there is a very small opening on the front of the drive, who gives access to the opening mecanism. You can use one end of a small paperclip to reach it. (In case you have a CD in there you want) Now about it working the usual way, there isnt much your can do, maybe somthing related to it's power, but again, if somthing is broken... unless it's still in waranty Good luck!

the combo drive you listed above is a cd-rw/ DVD-ROM....meaning that it will play and burn cd, cd-r, and cd-rw disks. the dvd rom will only be able to play dvd-rom and dvd-r disks providing they are in the proper format. check that the disk in question is not a dvd-rw or (+2) disk. the drive will not recognize that a disk is in the drive if the disk isnt compatable. try a dvd movie, if that works then a dvd-r, if that works then try a dvd-rw +1. if the last option doesnt work then you will have to stick with the dvd-rom and dvd-r, or purchase a dvd-rw drive to install.

GOOD LUCK AND DONT FORGET TO RATE MY POST!! :D

To manually open the CD Drive, straighten a paper clip and insert it into a tiny hole in the front of your CD drive and push the paper clip gently into the drive and the tray should then pop open.
Open and close this several times, then insert a disc into the drive and see if it will read the disc.
If not the drive is dead and needs to be replaced.

I think there might be a problem wit the DVD that you are inserting.

so wat you do insert the DVD before startin the installation. open "mycomputer" go the CD drive right click and then click explore copy all the contents in the dvd. paste it in your harddisk after you are done with the copyin process try installin the software from your hard disk.

i m sure installaion wont hang and ur installation process also will be fast 

good luck :)