[hardeez1]

Hi, I just got this external USB DVD burner and have it hooked up to my laptop but my laptop doesn't recognize it. Usually it just doesn't do anything, but sometimes it pops up a little message that says USB device not recognized. And actually one time it did recognize it. If anyone knows why it might be doing this, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Advertisements]

Some external devices need the drive to be on Slave, others on Master. Read the documentation to find out which one you need. Also some devices don't like front USB devices.

[Neil Jones]

Some external devices need the drive to be on Slave, others on Master. Read the documentation to find out which one you need. Also some devices don't like front USB devices.

[hardeez1]

Okay, how do you set to slave or master? Because this thing didn't come w/ any instructions (got it on ebay). Also what do you mean by front usb devices? Thanks for the reply.

[austin_o]

Generally, USB external drives need to have jumpers set to master. Check the specific documentation that came with your drive, or go to the manufacturers web page to find out. The setting is accomplished by setting a small jumper on the back of the drive to the appropriate pins. I think what Neil talking about the ports on your computer...when he said some USB drives don't like the "front" ports (?), although personally I have never experienced that.

[Neil Jones]

Generally, USB external drives need to have jumpers set to master. Check the specific documentation that came with your drive, or go to the manufacturers web page to find out. The setting is accomplished by setting a small jumper on the back of the drive to the appropriate pins. I think what Neil talking about the ports on your computer...when he said some USB drives don't like the "front" ports (?), although personally I have never experienced that.

Clear case of engaging keyboard before eyes.

Front USB ports you don't find on a laptop usually, but some caddies and what not may have issues working from USBs that are on the front of a computer case for a wide variety of reasons, including the issue that these are the first USBs to get damaged usually.

[hardeez1]

thanks again for the replies. it works on my desktop computer, so i guess i'll just use it on that instead of my laptop. weird.

[vally]

I have had a simulare experiance when I tried 2 connect a usb 2 ide cable from a computer to a dvd burner. There were 2 problems one was the jumpers the othr was it needed a usb2 connection. good luck.