CD-RW drive not recognised - Thinkpad T43

[SimonaB]

I have another thread going at the moment with another problem I believe is completely unrelated (or at least to the error I'm encountering).
Some background first
Anyway, This is a Thinkpad T43 I really use as a spare these days and it's not in constant use.
But a few months it started throwing up an error upon startup http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=96502
Long story short, I decided to do a Rescue & Recovery via the Blue Button BUT for some reason couldn't access it (I since upgraded to Vista).
So I went onto here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=56398 and followed the instructions. Burned the ISO CD (my CD drive was working just fine up to this point!) - rebooted the laptop to startup from the CD and followed all prompts form there. I had absolutely no problems whatsoever to reactivate the R&R section again.

PROBLEM
BUT since the, my CD drive suddenly isn't recognised ANYWHERE. Not even in the BIOS.

I've updated my BIOS. I've checked my system config. Nothing.

The drive bay opens just fine and I can hear the CD spinning - but then nothing happens.
In "My Computer" it doesn't show up either.

When I go into the BIOS, this is my startup:
1: IDE HDD0: Toshiba MK8032GAX-(PM)
2: USB FDD:
3: Legacy Floppy Drives
4: ATAPI CD:
5: USB CD:
6: PCI LAN: MBA v7.7.7.5 Slot 0200
7: -USB HDD
8: IDE HDD1:
Excluded from boot order:
: IDE HDD2:
: ATAPI CD1:


Urgh! What now?? (sigh)

Thank you in advance

[sarbin]

based on George's reply in your other thread, it looks like your southbridge's impending failure is flaking out the IDE ATA controller/channels. what do you see if you open up the device manager and look at them?

[poshgeordie]

This does appear to be fairly comprehensive unsoldered Southbridge chip.

The SB controls all the parts you list and is not an uncommon fault.

As to repairing it, my company Reflow Repairs based in Newcastle upon Tyne can reball the southbridge for you, that is to remove it, replace the existing solder balls under the chip and then resolder the refurub'd chip back onto the board again.

Details in my signature: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic492633