Problem with installing CD-Rom Drive... Please help.

[johnsag49]

Hello all... I'm new to this site, pleased to meet you. I just inherited a Thinkpad T21 (old job said it was time to upgrade, but I'm still a fan of older technology...esp when its headed for the trash bin)

I purchased a 24x CD-Rom Drive from ebay..part number 05K9159. It appears to install just fine...Windows sees it as an LG CRN-8421U .. but when I pop a CD in, it spins for a minute or so, then windows pops up a "Please insert a disk into drive D:" message.

Think this could be a drive malfunction? Or perhaps the drivers/firmware is no good? Any help would be appreciated!

I've updated to the latest BIOS. Windows 2000 running on a T21 2647-2AU.

Thanks again!

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

I believe that Windows 2000 should automatically recognize a simple CDROM drive and load drivers to support it. It sounds more like a defect in the drive itself. If you are not able to move it into another laptop (with Windows XP), then I would say you have two options:

1) Gently clean the laser's lens with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab

2) If that doesn't cure the problem, then return the drive to the eBay seller (he/she does have a non-DOA policy, I hope?)

I tried to Google/Yahoo! "CRN-8421U" but came up completely empty. Is that the correct model number that Windows is reporting?

[Orevin]

Although I don't think it will help, you can try to update the firmware:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-41030

[rkawakami]

I would NOT recommend updating the firmware (if it is even possible) with that link. The drives referenced on the IBM site for firmware upgrades are CDRW/DVD combo drives. The OP has posted a drive which appears to be a simple 24x CDROM.

[Orevin]

Thanks Ray. I updated the link to the correct firmware. The OPs drive (CRN-8421U) is not listed there, but a CRN-8241U. Typo?

[johnsag49]

I wrote down the wrong model number for the drive... it is the LG... 8241U. (Right...hehe) I'm sending it back with the hopes of getting a new one. I'll contact you back when I get the new one. Thanks!