Ok, I got one for you guys.

I'm running Windows 2000, and my Plextor CD-R keeps "unplugging" itself. That is, it pops up that "DEVICE UNPLUGGED" dialog box (like what you get if you remove a USB device without "ejecting" it). It tells me that I should make sure to eject the device before unplugging it. But it's a freaking internal CD-R! After I get this error, my CD-R disappears from My Computer, and I have to reboot to get it back.

Somebody suggested it's a bad cable. I suppose that's possible. I also have it hooked to some cheapo controller card that I got free with my HD.

Anybody ever seen this before?

Here's a screenshot

Never seen that before. I would definitely change out the cable -- they're dirt cheap anyway. However, I would suspect the cheapo controller card -- maybe the Win2k driver support is a bit flakey. Why can't you just plug it into the mainboard?

I would suspect and attempt to correct, in the following order:

1) Need updated Win2K drivers for the IDE controller.

2) Need updated BIOS for the motherboard.

3) Need update BIOS for the CD-ROM drive (many have BIOSes that can be updated, believe it or not).

4) Cable troubles (as mentioned before).

5) Bad or loose IDE controller.

Aaaggghhh! One of my Hard Drives just did the same thing! What's weird is that the HD is sharing a cable with another HD that didn't disconnect itself.

I think it's time I reinstall W2K.

Why can't you just plug it into the mainboard?

I have the following in my computer

CD-ROM
CD-R
10GB IBM as primary system drive
40GB Maxtor Backup
80GB Maxtor MP3 storage drive

I suppose I should consolidate the 80 and the 40 into a new 120GB drive and solve my problem.

Is the hard drive on the same controller as the CD-ROM was?

No, the HD was Secondary Master with the ASUS CD-ROM as slave.

The CD-R was on the controller card by itself.

Good, rules out that controller card. And that cable.

Unless, of course, you're looking at multiple simultaneous failures, always a bugaboo...

I've found the ATA 133 controller card from Promise (Ultra133 TX2) that Maxtor is co-branding to be very stable with W2k. I got mine bundled free with an 80 GB 7200 Maxtor (L080J4) and it's worked very well with no hiccups or problems at all. They're about $50 stand-alone at Staples, could be cheaper elsewhere. If you get one just be sure to install its driver before plugging it in. I run one drive on each channel. I have three HD's and two CD's as well. Happy wumpus hunting!

-Zeke

Have you checked your PSU isn't being overloaded?? Thaf can cause random drive flakiness too.

Here's what I've done so far:

1. Removed the controller card.
2. Swapped out the ASUS CD-ROM for the Plextor CD-R (which was on the controller card)

I'm now running my configuration like this:

Primary Master: 10GB IBM
Primary Slave: 40GB Maxtor
Secondary Master: 80GB Maxtor
Secondary Slave: Plextor CD-R

I'm going to see if this stays stable. I'm thinking I'm going to get one of those WD 8MB cache drives (either 80GB or 120GB) and swap that in as the Primary Master with at least two partitions. Then I can get rid of the 10GB and 40GB, allowing me to swap my CD-ROM back in and not need a controller card.

Having the controller card is nice because the Master & Slave share the bandwidth. Only one HD per channel makes file copies faster between HD's.

-Zeke

ps: I actually don't know what movie your avatar is from, enlighten me.

can you put your mp3s on a remote server dealie?

it seems a bit crowded having all these devices banging around.

Try disconnecting 'unimportant' drives and see if the problem goes away.

I'm working on building a Linux server that will also be an MP3 server. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I have all the HDs in there because I would just get a larger drive and add it to the computer. I never bothered to consolidate any of them. I've had the 10GB one for years now.

But I agree, I think there are too many things in that computer. Surprisingly, I don't have problems with heat or anything.