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? asked in Computers & InternetHardwareDesktops · 2 months ago

Dell dimension 4300 dvd not detected in bios  ?

Im trying to install windows Xp on my 4300 but the dvd/disc drive isn't showing im bios to boot from . bios vs A02 . cmos is on correct date . hdd is only disc showing . other optical disc not showing either . floppy is showing . both drives open and show lights and do spin just not detected in bios . how to fix. This is a hobby and xp is all i got for install. Any ideas how to fix ? 

Update:

 the computer isnt recognizing the dvd in bios . So it will not allow me to install windows until it gets detected to read dvd install disc .   

Update 2:

Dvd drive was pulled from working system and the boot disc itself is functional  

Update 3:

Ok so i set the jumper from cable select to slave and it did the deed. Went to find drivers on website yet service tag not recognized any thoughts will i just have to use a sketch website to install drivers? 

4 Answers

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  • 2 months ago
    Favourite answer

    From the manual I found, this computer appears to only support IDE/PATA drives, not SATA. The two most common causes of the symptoms you described are not setting the jumper configuration correctly on the drive, and connecting the cable incorrectly.

    Each IDE channel should have one and only one "Master" drive. If another drive shares the same ribbon, it should be set to "Slave." Do not use the "Cable Select" option unless you know the ribbon you are using is a Cable Select one. A Cable Select ribbon will usually have one wire segment cut out or missing.

    Make sure the cable is covering all pins, and that the pins have not been bent. If the cable connector is not keyed, it's also possible you connected it upside-down.

  • 1 week ago

    Honestly, anything will work. Am I right or am I right?

  • 2 months ago

    you likely need device drivers for the mobo involved.  These come free from Dell but you may have difficulty getting them from their support people as all the order fulfillment people know is what their system tells them and that's the repair or reinstall disk for that specific model -- keep trying [and ask for supervisor or a real technician if they 'don''t have it'].  if you get frustrated, try internet search and make sure your browser supports translation of foreign sites ...  -- grampa

  • Jesus
    Lv 5
    2 months ago

    If when you boot up the DVD is detected in my computer then you need to go to the Dell website and upgrade to the latest bios and then after you do that cick defaults in BIOS and save. If however when you boot up your computer it's not detected under my computer and you cannot see the DVD drive that means you have a burned out DVD drive

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