HI. I recently bought SIMs 2. I had checked out the specs beforehand and it checked out..or at least I thought it did. Now I tried to play the game but the DVD drive just won't read it at all. The reason why I posted in this section is, This isn't just a Sims 2 question it's a question about the whole DVD drive thing. See, here's some info on my computer: System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation System Model: Dimension 2400 Processor: InteL(r) PENTIUM(r) 4 CPU 2.80GHz Memory: 256MB RAM Name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller Chip Type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Organizer DAC Type: Internal Current Display Model: 1024 X 768 (32 BIT) (75Hz) Main Driver: ialmrnt5.dll Sound Name: SoundMAX Digital Audio HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8483B Lite-On LTN486S 48X Max- device type DVD/CD-ROM What I'm confused about is exactly what kind of Drive I have. It has two listed. One I looked up and it ways it's a CD drive and the other DVD drive..I'm confused why it has the two listed separately. It's one piece of hardware.. And also I'm confused about what type of DVD it is. Is it a DVD RW? A DVD/CD rom? I have no idea. Also, I came across this sentence on "can you run it", It said: "this game contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some cd/dvd rom - cd/dvd rw and virtual drives" I did a search on this sentence, and it seems to be fairly common with a lot of games. I'm not sure what it means exactly. I mean it doesn't say that these games do not accept my drive, it just say it might not.. it's kind of non specific. .confusing. SO to recap ..exactly what kind of drive do I have? HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8483B Lite-On LTN486S 48X Max- device type DVD/CD-ROM I can't figure it out from this. ANd what about that statement. Being that it says: some cd/dvd rom - cd/dvd rw and virtual drives" ...Doesn't that cover most drives? How do I know if my game isn't playing because of that, or because of some other problem. Does it mean I can't run games with my current drive? And If I can't, can I get another to replace it? If I do, how do I now what one to get? sorry for all of the questions, and if they seem stupid to you but I am really trying to figure this stuff out. I"m very confused..if you haven't guessed already. Babu
Could be one of a few.. suddenly there are a lot of these rubbish drives cropping up.. You are not alone in having these troubles. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/p60335/ http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SIL-GCE-8483B-BEZ&cat=CDW http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BLK-GCE-8483B-DO-R&cat=CDW It may be firmware.. but I wouldn't touch it without being very certain of the exact make and revision.. http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-56886 http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=564482
Thanks for your reply. And the firmware links. I'm still confused about he type of drive it is ,. I had a problem with my DVD drive on my other computer, a while ago and it really wasn't hard to fix at all. Of course I had a clear idea of what drive exactly it was. I will look at the links you gave me though thanks. Babu
P.S. on that last reply, I realize now that the DVD part of it is what is not working. Cd's will load and be read fine. SO maybe I should forget about the HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8483B part, which is the CD part, and concentrate on the DVD part of the drive and look for how to fix problems with a "Lite-On LTN486S 48X Max". since that's the DVD drive.
They say this is the firmware which fixes your problem.. and it does refer to that drive(or it sounds very much like it.. try google with your specific pc model number, or look at dell customer service for help. If it is still under warranty it is unfit for purpose and they should fix it. http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=564482 do confirm it tho http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor..._-1&submitted=true&q=HL-DT-ST+CD-RW+GCE-8483B
