OK, I've never run across this problem before, and I'm stumped for a possbile solution. System:

Win98
256 megs of ram
Plextor PX-32TS SCSI reader
Plextor PX-W124TS (12/4/32) SCSI burner
IBM IDE 40 gig hard drive (first ide port)
Pioneer IDE DvD Drive (second ide port)

Problem:
The contents of my Plextor CD-ROM reader (PX-32TS) does not show up in Windows Explorer or in My Computer; however, if I use CDex or EAC, the files are shown in these utilities, and I'm even able to play the tunes. They don't show up in Windows Explorer. When I click on the CD-ROM drive (R), nothing shows up in Explorer even though I have a data or audio disk inserted. If I insert an audio disk, nothing. If I insert a program disk like Office, nothing happends, and the files can't be viewed with Windows Explorer.

Things I've tried:
1. I used a boot floopy with SCSI DOS drivers, and the drive is working properly in DOS mode, as data and audio CD's are visable using the DIR command.
2. ASPI check reports no errors, using version 4.60(1021).
3. I've deleted the CD-ROM drive in question, and had Windows re-install it when it rebooted with no sucess. I even tried a different drive letter than R.
4. Auto insert notification is turned on, and I've used TweakUI and checked the boxes to enable CD's to be played automatically.
5. Other programs like Clone and DiskDupe (from Plextor) are able to see the files, and I'm even able to make an image of the CD in this drive.
6. I've looked in the registry for NoDriveTypeAutoRun, and made sure is set to 0x00000095

HELP!

Did this prob pop up on its own or was it preceeded by something

Does the pc detect both scsi devices ok when pc boots up

Does cdrom show up in the device manager

Dont know if it is impossible for it to have anything to do with the scsi devices so I would plug them into another pc along with controller to eliminate them from the problem

Then i'd delete the startup aplication files from windows and re install OS

Reading about what worked, my conclusion is that the drives are working and it seems to be windows which is giving you the problem. However, you are working with SCSI. With SCSI devices there are some things you might want to check.

First, which ID do the drives have? p.e. SCSI controller is 0, then plexburner should be set at 2,3 or 4 and the reader a higher number. Also, put a jumper at the terminator at the back of the plexreader-drive. Remove the jumper at the terminator at the back of the plexburner (if there is any).
Are there any external scsi devices connected with the card (p.e. scanner???).

Hey old M8 & Newbie! ;)
(See if we can fix that up, there is a Topic in the AT forum for it)
I have seen this prob here before, but for the life of me I cannot remember the solution. :(
It's an odd & simple one and if memory serves me, it may have been Inertia that had the answer before.

For what it's worth here's my thoughts...I would first suspect it being a corrupt VXD file, e.g. CDFS.vxd or one that has been added by an installation e.g. SCSI1hlp.vxd that needs to be renamed. Could even be a .dll but I would look more to the vxd's in the IoSubSys Folder
Perhaps Windows File Checker could help here.

Another thing would be do you have a Virtual CD Drive installed? If so can it.
Also boot to Safe Mode and look in Device Manager to see if there are any odd ball "Ghost Drivers" installed that should not be there.



http://www.cdrom-guide.com/ubb/4MoDeRaToRs/SiGnAtUrE_ImAgEs/hoss1.gif

Hey Hoss buddy! How's it going?

First off, I have a half-breed pc - I have only 2 IDE devices, the IBM 40 gig on primary channel as master with no slave, and a Pioneer DvD on the secondary channel as master with no slave.

Termination:
The reader is #3 and terminated, while the burner is #2 and is not terminated. They are on a 50 pin cable. They are detected at boot, and like I said, they work in DOS mode just fine.

System files:
I have run the system checker and it reports no errors in the system files.

I have no clue when this happend. I know just 2 weeks ago, I have to re-install some Office 2k files, and it worked then. I have even tried to roll back my system files using the scanreg /restore option at the DOS prompt, and same results.

Nothing has changed for hardware, as I have not even opened up the case in 5 or 6 months.

btw Hoss, if you can get rid of that Newbie status, I'll buy you a :beer:

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm hoping that Inertia might have some thoughts on this bazzar problem.

Hoss M8, if I had the answer before, I can't remember what it was.:laugh:

Camel Toe, although your problem involves a SCSI CD-ROM, the problem described in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at DMA CD-ROM Drive Icon Does Not Appear in Windows Explorer (Q235859) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q235859) is similar to the symptoms that you describe. If it's a device conflict that is causing the problem, perhaps this could be causing your SCSI drive to disappear.

Since Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Win 98, it's probably worth a try to see if the fix will work for you.

I spent a while on Microsoft's site looking for possible solutions, and I did notice that one you mentioned Inertia. I tried it, and my system will not allow me to change that resource.

I'm probably going to order a refurbished reader from Plextor tomorrow and give that a shot. This unit is ~3 years old, and I would not mind having a backup anyway.

Not only do I have this problem, but my burner seems to lockup, or appear to lock up using DirectCD when formatting a black RW. The little pencil that writes on the little CD on the left hand corner will stop moving. I'm able to move my mouse, but all other functions don't work. I can't open another window or program for example. Plextor's tech support said this:

There is a known bug in DirectCD where it looks like your computer is 'locked up' when you start to format a disc. Actually, it's working normally, but not displaying to the screen. After a few minutes (up to 30), the screen will 'wake up' and continue normally. You can see the light on your drive flashing during the time your computer seems to be 'locked up'.
I don't know about this. Anyone every heard of that? I even tried the newest version of DirectCD, 5.10, with the same results.

Well, I received my new Plextor 40x SCSI drive today, but I still have the same problem as before: the CDROM contents are not displayed in Explorer or in My Computer, but all other drives are displayed just fine, even my Plextor burner on the same SCSI cable.

Programs like EAC and CDex are able to access and read the contents of the drive with no problems. Even using Plextor's disk dupe, going from reader to burner works with no problems.

I've run system file checker and it comes up with no problems. This has me really stumped for a solution.

FIXED!

It was a hardware failure. My Tekram SCSI card, even though it was detected by the BIOS and in Windows, it did not work properly for some reason. I removed it and replaced it with an Adaptec 2490 UW, and now it's able to display the contents in the CD-ROM for both audio and data. I'll be sending the Tekram card back, as it has a 5 year warranty, and I bought it back in May of 1999.

I said the first thing to do was to try the devices and controller in another pc, the 2940U is really nice, I use one myself, ive tried many brands as ive had multiple scsi devices for years and Adaptec are way out in front IMO