CD-RW registers oddly

[mystvearn]

My Sony CD-rw(slave) is on IDE 2 with the dvd-rw. When I restarted pc today, the Second IDE showed something like this: 'CD-rw" CmQp''''''''''''''''''''m''''' It showed the same thing in the BIOS.

Tried dvd-infopro but the program crashed when I tried to find info on the CD-rw.
The CD-rw supposed to show something else, no "" whatsover.
What is the problem?

[Cricket]

Check your drive jumper to see if it's in the right position for the type of IDE cable you're using. Master or slave for a 40 wire IDE cable or CS for 80 wire IDE cable.

:) Cricket

[mystvearn]

Jumpers are normal. Using coolermaster rounded cables. Its the same settings as always, infact I did nothing to it/or move the pc in any way. Just that suddenly it becomes like this.

[Cricket]

Replace the IDE cable.

Try the drive in another computer.

:) Cricket

[glc]

That is almost always a jumpering or cabling issue, if not, the drive is shot. Put the drive on its own IDE cable (stock 40 wire, not a fancy aftermarket cable) as a standalone and see if it still does it - if so, the drive is shot.