Weird problem I'm stumped with..

Well, here's my problem, my old 145 watt power supply stopped working a few weeks a go after running for 4 years. I recently (2 days a go), installed a new 300 watt power supply, I have 1 CD-ROM drive, 1 CD-RW drive and a 3 1/2 floppy drive on win2k pro. All seem to be working correctly but when I use one of the drives (not including the floppy drive), when I try to access it the Unplug/Eject dialog appears (see Screenshots 1 & 2) saying that the drive I just used has been disconnected/Unplugged. I checked the ribbon cable and it's fine, also checked the power cable and it is also fine...any ideas?

screenshot 2

Hi Raion,

I think this might explain and solve your problem...it apparently has to do with whether or not the driver can support surprise removals...or something to that effect...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;298504
How To Avoid Unsafe Removal Dialog Box

Eg

I don't understand what it's trying to say...btw, that problem ONLY happens with my TDK (CD-RW) Drive, not with my CD-ROM drive..

Yah, it's either a driver issue or a weak power supply. Did you replace the old one with one exactly like it or better? Have you tried completely blowing away the TDK drive in device manager and reinstalling?

It can't be a driver issue because it was working fine before I installed the new PSU. As I said before I replaced a 145 watt power supply with a 300 watt power supply, so that can't possibly be it because if anything it has more power. Although I don't think this might affect it but, I have it at 110 right now (It's those switchable ones), the other switch is to 245 or something I believe, not sure. Could that be the problem?

If you can't solve it, try using another molex connector from the powe supply to your CD-RW,and also try using a new ribbon cable... try that... you probably damaged the ribbon cable when isntalling the new power supply?

Yeah, I was thinking about changing the connector but I wanted to see if there were any other problems that could be wrong. I didn't even touch the ribbon cables though. (no need)

Hey Hey,

Does the device work immediately after a boot? If so then it sounds like it's going into Power Saver mode... It's possible that having the new harddrive has given you that functionality.... I'm not exactly sure what it's dependant on ... but it could make the difference..

I'd check it out... It's under the device properties (Device Manager).

Peace,
HT

Word of advice, that little 110/240 volt switch is crucial. Depending if 110 or 240 comes into your house (mains). If you live in America it's 110. These range from 110.115.120/240.245 etc.

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It's possible that having the new harddrive has given you that functionality.

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I got a new power supply not hard drive >_< . I checked it out, and I don't see anything about power save feature.

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Word of advice, that little 110/240 volt switch is crucial. Depending if 110 or 240 comes into your house (mains). If you live in America it's 110. These range from 110.115.120/240.245 etc.

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Well yeah I knew that, my old power supply ran on 110, same way it came from NYC when I shipped it here when I was moving, never failed here in Dominican Republic and ran for 2years here. I have no idea how much comes into my line..

Hi Raion.

Lol, I mentioned it because you said:

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I have it at 110 right now (It's those switchable ones), the other switch is to 245 or something I believe, not sure. Could that be the problem?

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I didn't recognize the location you are in, yeah the power there is just like Here, 110 volts 60hz, Type A plug.

I guess you could unplug the good drive and then burn test the other malfunctioning drive with the other drive removed. Hmm take the power off the floppy too. If the drive does not fail then it's probably the power supply or the cables. At least that eliminated one possibility. It could be bad from the factory or person you obatained it from?

Just a note, if the 110/220 switch was in the wrong position, the system wouldn't power on.

HEY GUY's didn't anyone notice the error is for USB Devices...??

So I am assuming that we are talking about an IDE Device..?
so while the error is usb device related it could be a f...up in the OS.. hmm service packs?
the drive isnt working after the error.. can you eject the media? or is this when the error occures?

I would have to go with the recommendation to check the power connectors (the Molex Plugs) to the CD-RW drive.. it is possable that there is a resistive connection in the circuit, that is a bad connection, the fault could be in the PSU.. SWAP the power connectors around.. take the molex from the working drive and connect it to the non working..

It is possable that the CD-RW is failing and it is a coincidence that it coincides with the swap in PSU..

Yeah I didn't notice the USB error. I would look at "why" you thought the old power supply was failing. Remember we can only try and guess by what is typed. Perhaps I would at this point disconnect EVERYTHING except the boot disk. Then power on and look for errors in the boot process all the way into windows. Then power off, add the floppy etc. One at a time like in the old days. That might help isolate the device/driver/bios conflict slash whatever. I know you said everything was fine until the new PS but I would kind of start over and see what is up. Maybe you fried something while mucking about in the box? Most people think ESD is a wash but it's not.

Ok, thanks for all the replies, after typing this I'm going to try switching the connectors. I recently upgraded to SP4 don't know if that could be part of the problem. When I boot up it recognizes it, then when that dialog comes up saying it has been removed I can still eject the CD out. If the CD-RW were to be failing I don't think it would work in the first place (just my thought not sure).

EDIT: Ok, after getting a blue screen and rebooting 3 times, so far, it's working fine, I'm listening to a few songs from the CD (MP3 CD) for a while see if it disconnects.

EDIT2: Seems to be good now, thanks for all the help :)