[solved] Why are my internal DVD writers not recognized on SATA 2

[IanM]

My computer with Motherboard Gigabyte B85M-D3H has developed a strange problem. I can't get any DVD writers to be recognized through my SATA cables at all. In fact my old Samsung SH-244 started grinding during a write at one time and I thought it was dead. No it's not, apparently, as I connected it via a SATA USB adapter cable and it works fine through USB. Likewise, the other drives I tested are recognized through USB. But if I connect them to SATA on the motherboard none are recognized.

For a long time I had an old IDE drive running through an internal adapter card but as it was slowing everything down too much I decided to remove it. I wonder if maybe it has interfered with the SATA connections somehow. It almost seems as though three of my SATA ports have been switched off, but I can't remember doing this, at least not intentionally.

I am sure it must be something simple but I have few computer skills when it comes to hardware and driver issues. I am hoping somebody on this forum may be able to shed some light on this problem.

 

[AusWolf]

The ports might be switched off in the BIOS. Or maybe your SATA ports are configured to run with the old IDE protocol when the drive needs AHCI, or vice versa.

 

[IanM]

The ports might be switched off in the BIOS. Or maybe your SATA ports are configured to run with the old IDE protocol when the drive needs AHCI, or vice versa.

You must be correct as I looked in BIOS and noticed that the "Hot plug" settings were all disabled on every port except on my hard drive. I enabled them and re-booted and my dvd drives were instantly recognized, and they seem to be working.

The ports might be switched off in the BIOS. Or maybe your SATA ports are configured to run with the old IDE protocol when the drive needs AHCI, or vice versa.

I checked the settings again and all seems fine. That doesn't really explain why my old DVD was grinding and unable to read any disc, but now it is working again. I wonder if something went amiss when it hit a bad sector writing to a DVD and the computer reacted by shutting down all of the ports except the hard drive? That is really the only thing that makes sense because I never manually switched them off. Or maybe they disable by default if there is no longer a connection to a working device? Whatever the case, it is now all working, thank you.

 

[AusWolf]

You must be correct as I looked in BIOS and noticed that the "Hot plug" settings were all disabled on every port except on my hard drive. I enabled them and re-booted and my dvd drives were instantly recognized, and they seem to be working.

"Hot plug" usually just means that you can unplug the drive on the go without risking damage, but I'm glad it solved your problem.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Not saying anything but it could be a sign that your motherboard is telling you it's time for it to go given its age.

I would keep an eye on anything strange going on with system as far as general stability goes.

Everything has a limited lifespan and 2014 was a long time ago.

 

[IanM]

Not saying anything but it could be a sign that your motherboard is telling you it's time for it to go given its age.

I would keep an eye on anything strange going on with system as far as general stability goes.

Everything has a limited lifespan and 2014 was a long time ago.

Haven't noticed anything else going on. The PC was only assembled about 5 years ago from a new, sealed box. The HDMI video has occasionally dropped out since day one and the problem could never be traced. Apart from that I have noticed settings being inexplicably changed every time there is a major Windows update, so I generally blame intrusive software updates rather than anything hardware. At least they often seem to be the culprit when it comes to settings suddenly being switched on or off.

 

[eidairaman1]

Haven't noticed anything else going on. The PC was only assembled about 5 years ago from a new, sealed box. The HDMI video has occasionally dropped out since day one and the problem could never be traced. Apart from that I have noticed settings being inexplicably changed every time there is a major Windows update, so I generally blame intrusive software updates rather than anything hardware. At least they often seem to be the culprit when it comes to settings suddenly being switched on or off.

The hdmi should have been an indication to send it back

 

[IanM]

The hdmi should have been an indication to send it back

Digressing widely from my original question, but I personally think the secondhand AMD Radeon graphics card has been to blame. Really the problem is so occasional that it has never bothered me and 5 years on I'm not going to worry about it now.

 

[Rafael.luc]

I checked the settings again and all seems fine. That doesn't really explain why my old DVD was grinding and unable to read any disc, but now it is working again. I wonder if something went amiss when it hit a bad sector writing to a DVD and the computer reacted by shutting down all of the ports except the hard drive?

The CD/DVD driver is to rotate and read the track containing all the tracks, even if there is no SATA connection. SATA connection problems do not cause optical drive problems.

 

[IanM]

The CD/DVD driver is to rotate and read the track containing all the tracks, even if there is no SATA connection. SATA connection problems do not cause optical drive problems.

I cant really explain it. My old Samsung writer was just grinding and unable to read every disc I put in it. Now it is working fine again. I can only think it was an alignment or focus issue that has resolved itself. I guess even a blob of dust could cause it?

 

[Rafael.luc]

I cant really explain it. My old Samsung writer was just grinding and unable to read every disc I put in it. Now it is working fine again. I can only think it was an alignment or focus issue that has resolved itself. I guess even a blob of dust could cause it?

No, your CD/DVD was trying to read and Sata reported a connection error

 

[IanM]

No, your CD/DVD was trying to read and Sata reported a connection error

Umm, sorry but that makes no sense, because as soon as I plugged in the DVD writer through a USB adapter it could read and write again. And while the SATA was disabled without me knowing it I tried other DVD drives and none of them made any sound at all. If I put a CD or DVD in the trays the light would come on for a second or two and then go off. No grinding noise. And now that the SATA connection is enabled once more that same drive that had been grinding now works just as perfectly through that connection as it did through the USB port. Also SATA never reported any connection error, so I don't understand what you mean by "reported". So the only logical conclusion anyone can make is that there were two separate issues going on at the same time. One was a DVD writer unable to read, probably due to some issue with it, and the other was SATA being disabled for some reason. "SATA connection problems do not cause optical drive problems." Of course they do if the SATA port is disabled, but they will not cause a drive to have difficulty reading or writing. That is an issue to do with the drive, just as I've been saying. Could a mod please mark this thread as SOLVED and close the thread.

 

[Rafael.luc]

Umm, sorry but that makes no sense, because as soon as I plugged in the DVD writer through a USB adapter it could read and write again.

Which indicates that the drive's SATA connection was OK

. One was a DVD writer unable to read, probably due to some issue with it, and the other was SATA being disabled for some reason. "SATA connection problems do not cause optical drive problems." Of course they do if the SATA port is disabled, but they will not cause a drive to have difficulty reading or writing.

The terminals and connection oxidized over time and stopped communicating, I believe this is your dilemma, as it was working before and you hadn't changed the Bios. When you removed the cable to try other connections, started communicating again. You must use WD40 at the terminals!

 

[eidairaman1]

Which indicates that the drive's SATA connection was OK

The terminals and connection oxidized over time and stopped communicating, I believe this is your dilemma, as it was working before and you hadn't changed the Bios. When you removed the cable to try other connections, started communicating again. You must use WD40 at the terminals!

Um not any wd40, it must be electronic grade contact cleaner, then light di- electric grease

 

[IanM]

Which indicates that the drive's SATA connection was OK

The terminals and connection oxidized over time and stopped communicating, I believe this is your dilemma, as it was working before and you hadn't changed the Bios. When you removed the cable to try other connections, started communicating again. You must use WD40 at the terminals!

Yes, very dusty/dirty environment where this computer is located so obviously the problem was oxidation plus dust/gunk. I will buy some cleaner!

Um not any wd40, it must be electronic grade contact cleaner, then light di- electric grease

Is Isopropyl alcohol okay to use?

 

[eidairaman1]

Is Isopropyl alcohol okay to use?

Make sure not plugged in, and need to ensure it is dried out totally if you use 70%