Problem with LG GCE-8525B

[grouch]

Everytime the tray is loaded (not out waiting for a CD), the drive makes this clicking noise. Not that loud, but audible over my 4 fans. Has a pattern that goes --> tick...tick...tickticktick...tick...tick...ticktick...
Doesn't matter if there's a CD in the tray or not.
Is there something that I did or something happened that makes this happen??

Firmware 1.02
XP Pro SP1 using Nero 6 and sometimes Alcohol 120
DMA is on
Autoplay feature disabled.

Anything clues??

[CDRecorder]

If it's doing that without a disc, the drive's probably bad.

[grouch]

ummm...something is seriously messed up now...
My secondary drives are not being recognized after a while.
During boot up, it shows that I have 2 CD drives and Windows recognizes that too in My Computer, as drives E: and F:. After a while of use, the two drives suddenly disappear from My Computer.
This is what I see in System Devices
http://members.rogers.com/musicmanpro/no%20ide%20drives.JPG (Sorry about not cropping the picture...
As you can see, there is a Secondary IDE Controller, but my CD drives are gone!!!
Now there's still power to the drives, cause the trays open and close.
I rebooted, and same thing...the drives disappear after a while.
And refering to my earlier post, the clicking from my LG GCE8525B is gone.
I'm thinking it's probably Windows, maybe a virus or something.
My Windows CD's at home so I can't reformat until school ends in May and I go home.
SO...anyone know of a fix?? that doesn't require re-installing windows??

[CDRecorder]

Do you have an anti-virus program? If you do, it would probably be a good thing to scan your computer just in case you do have a virus.

Also, do you have the SiS IDE drivers installed, or are you using the Microsoft ones?

[pranav81]

I guess he has SiS PCI IDE drivers installed.grouch,try uninstalling and using the native MS drivers.Else you may try reinstalling SP1,though I am not sure it will help.


::Pranav::

[dodecahedron]

grouch,
please crop the picure next time.
it's too big, messes the page's formatting, and there's no need for all that white.
thanx

[grouch]

OK..so i re-installed Windows XP and SP1
The drives show up fine.
Now my DVD-ROM doesn't eject...as in when I press the button in front...the tray doesn't come out...but if I do it from My Computer, it pops out. It won't close with the front button either and it doesn't read any discs. LG Model DRD8160B
and my LG GCE-8525B still makes the patterned click noise.

So...my question is: Would it be a power surge (or related power event)that messed everything up, like I have a surge bar and 300W power supply....running:
12-pin ATX Power into motherboard
Cable 1, Plug 1: Primary HD
Cable 1, Plug 1: Secondary HD
Cable 2, Plug 1: Motherboard AUX Power
Cable 2, Plug 2: Split into 2 --1--> CD-RW Secondary IDE Master
--2--> thru-cable for the 4 fans then into DVD-ROM Secondary IDE Slave

Do I need to get a better power supply?
Any suggestions or solutions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help.

[CDRecorder]

What brand is your PSU, and how many amps are on each of the rails (12V, 5V, and 3.3V)?

What are the specs of the rest of your system? I need to ask because a 300W PSU like that is more than sufficient for some systems but not enough for other systems.

[grouch]

L&C DR-A300ATX On the sticker it says:
--------------------
AC Input: (115V/230V)(8/4A)(60/50Hz)
DC Output: (+3.3V=20A)(+5V=30A)(+12V=10A)(-12V=0.8A)(-5V=0.5A)(+5VSB=2A)
+5V & +3.3V Combined Load 160W
Total Output 300W Max
--------------------
Windows XP SP1
ASUS P4S533 (onboard audio/lan/usb; no pci slots in use, just agp)
Intel P4 1.7 (not overclocked)
768MB DDR Ram (256 PC2100 + 512 PC2700)
GeForce 2 MX 64MB 4x AGP (1024x768, 60Hz)
Maxtor 40G HD ATA-133 (prim mast)
WD 80G HD (prim sla)
Floppy disk
LG GCE-8525B CD-RW (secon mast) from 6/2003
LG DRD-8160B DVD-ROM (secon slave) from 6/2002
4 Generic 8cm Case fans

[CDRecorder]

That PSU sounds a little weak for that computer to me; it might be a good idea to upgrade to an Antec 350 Watt PSU.

Edit: I've heard that this is good too, but I don't have any personal experience with that brand at the moment.