Problem: CDs, DVDs etc. won't read in Windows...but they read in Safe Mode. Floppies ask to be formatted and USB devices also ask to be formatted. Replacing Atapi.sys doesn't work, removing devices and letting Windows redetect them doesn't work. Many forums online mention this problem but I couldn't find the fix...here it is, or at least here's something to try.
1. Find your motherboard CD (Asus, Intel, etc)
2. If the CD drive works in Safe Mode, then restart the machine and go into Safe Mode.
3. Insert the CD and let the menu come up. If that doesn't work, go to My Computer and run the Setup from there.
4. Reinstall the chipset device drivers (IDE/Atapi, USB, etc.)
5. Restart when asked to do so and let the computer go into Windows normally.
I hope this helps.
PS...if you don't have the mobo CD, check out the vendor website for chipset drivers and download them. Please note that my experience with this was with a clone machine running an Asus board with a VIA chipset. Running the mobo CD and reapplying the chipset drivers solved the problem with everything...CDs, USB flash disks and floppies. If you're running a Dell, HP, Compaq, or some other name branded machine, you may have trouble with this solution unless you can identify the board in your machine and find the chipset support at the appropriate website (vendor of PC or motherboard).
Edited by Elfman42, 26 January 2006 - 05:07 PM.