Appendix B. Problem solving
Computer problems can be caused by hardware, software, or user error.You might
be able to use the information in this section to solve problems yourself, or gather
helpful information you can pass on to a service technician.
Review the following list for any problem descriptions that might fit your
situation.

Troubleshooting

Your computer or CD-RW drive does not operate correctly or

the busy indicator light does not come on.

Take the following actions:
1. Check that the CD is loaded with the label side up.
2. Check that all devices are correctly connected to the computer and the electrical
outlet. If all devices are correctly connected and you are still experiencing
problems, go to step 3.
3. Turn off the computer,unplug the cables from the electrical outlets for your
computer and all attached devices, and remove the computer cover.
4. Check that all power and IDE cables are securely attached. Disconnect the IDE
cable and check for bent or misaligned pins. If you do not find any problems,
reconnect the IDE cable. Reattach all cables and power cords and replace the
computer cover. Turnon the computer, restart the system, and then attempt to
open the CD tray by pressing the Eject/Load button. If the tray fails to open
and the busy indicator light does not come on, turn off the computer and try
using another 4-pin dc power cable.
5. Check that the color-coded edge on the IDE cable aligns with pin 1 on the IDE
port and is closest to the power cable on the 40X/12X/40X Max CD-ReWritable
drive See Step 3. Selecting an IDE porton page 5.
6. Check that the IDE cable is connected to the proper IDE port connection. See
Step 3. Selecting an IDE porton page 5 for more information.
7. Check the CD-RW drive and any other device on the IDE cable for the proper
master/slave jumper settings. See Step 4. Setting the configuration jumperon
page 5 for more information.
8. If the middle connector on the IDE cable is attached to the IDE port on the
system board, remove the connector and reattach the cable. If there is only one
device on the IDE port, attach the connector at one end of the cable to the IDE
port and the connector at the other end to the device, leaving the middle
connector (if there is one) open. If there are two devices on the IDE port, attach
the connector at one end of the cable to the IDE port. If there is a hard disk
drive, attach it to the connector at the other end of the cable and attach the
CD-RW drive to the middle connector.

You cannot format a CD-RW disc

Take the following actions:
1. Check your media. This CD-RW drive cannot format 1X or 2X speed media.
2. Erase the CD-RW with the following procedure, then try formatting again.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2002 19