CD-ROM and Floppy Disks not recognized

[StephenC]

My system no longer recognizes the presence of disks in the CD-ROM, CD-RW and floppy disk drives, though the drives are shown as being present in My Computer. In the first two cases, Windows asks me to insert a disk (even though there is one present). In the latter case, Windows informs me that the disk is not formatted (even though it is), and asks me if I would like to format it (which attempt then fails). I have uninstalled and reinstalled these devices via Add/Remove Hardware, and they are reported as functioning normally by Device Manager and Computer Management. What is going on here??
Thanks!

[Kov-Ice]

I'm guessing this is not a newly built computer, but one that was working for some time, correct? Could you give you system specs and operating system, please? Also, have you done anything recently either hardware or software-related around the time this problem came about?

[StephenC]

This is a computer that has been running OK for some time, but now all my peripheral drives are showing this problem, including also CD-RW, USB key and SCSI optical drive. However, I had previously deleted several devices that were reported by Device Manager as being "not present, not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed". I believe these included duplicate inactive entries for some at least of these drives, although I have since uninstalled them all and allowed Windows to reinstate them. Maybe I have introduced a single error that affects all removable storage devices other than the hard drive? I'm running Windows 2000 Pro Service Pack 3 on a 2.6 GHz machien with 256 MB RAM.

[psyteam]

I would reinstall Windows.

[StephenC]

Problem solved by restoring a recent full Registry backup. Moral: always back up the Registry before making system changes that affect the Registry.

[closeupman]

Hi,

I recently had my computer cleaned(virus) and the cd-rom was working fine. A couple times when I put in a certain cd-rom had problem..froze up screen(blue) but was ok. Now says "insert cd in F drive". Other than loose cables or a virus(already scanned) what could cause this? Did the copmuter place not fix it properly? It was fine for a little while(like a week or two).

Thanks.

[mrmister1]

When you say the computer was cleaned do you mean you just virus scanned, or that you formatted too?

Also next time make a new thread.